For theweekendingJuly 17

Y YY Y Y Patch of Highway Fund: The House voted,312-119, to add $8 billion to the HighwayTrust Fund to keep it solvent throughDecember 18 while GOP leaders in Congresscontinue to search for new, long-termrevenue to fund road and transit construction.A yes vote was to pass HR 3038.

N YN Y Y Democrats Highway Plan: The Housedefeated, 185-244, a Democratic bid toestablish a $40 billion, six-year road andtransit building program in HR 3038 (above).A yes vote backed an infrastructure planfunded mainly by cracking down on firms thatrelocate abroad to avoid U.S. taxation.

Y NY O N California Water Dispute: The House voted,245-176, to alter California and federal lawsand pacts for allocating San Joaquin River water in a way that directs more flow toagriculture and less to the benefit ofconservation and fishing interests. A yes votewas to pass HR 2898.

N YN Y Y Water for Drinking, Firefighting: The Housedefeated, 183-239, a Democratic bid toprevent HR 2898 (above) from reducing thequality and flow of water in California in a waythat would imperil drinking water or diminishsupplies needed to fight wildfires. A yes votebacked the motion.

Y Y Elementary, Secondary Education: TheSenate passed, 81-17, a bipartisan bill thatwould authorize $24 billion per year through2020 for U.S. elementary and secondaryeducation while diminishing federal controlover how that money is to be spent. A yesvote was to pass S 1177.

N N Title I Portability: The Senate refused, 45-51, to allow Title I funding allocations tomove with students when they transfer frompoor districts to better-funded public schools.A yes vote was to add portability to fundingthat has always been targeted to helping impoverished schools. (S 1177)

In the week of July 20, the House will take up bills on environmentalregulation of coal and uniform labeling of genetically engineered foods,while the Senate will debate funding of the Highway Trust Fund.

KEY VOTES AHEAD 2015 Thomas Voting Reports www.voterama.info