Enactment of Omnibus Appropriations bill: June, 2017:

o Provides discretionary funding for remainder of FY ’17 (through September 30, 2017).

o Rep. Rohrabacher’s achievements in bill:Continued protection from federal prosecution for patients, physicians, veterans, doctors, etc., acting in compliance with their state’s medical marijuana laws.$2 billion increase in funding for National Institutes of Health.House passage and enactment of “Weather Research & Forecasting Innovation Act” (H.R. 353).

o Included in bill was the “Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2017,” which was co-sponsored and pushed through the House Science Committee by Reps. Rohrabacher and Bonamici (D-OR).House passage and enactment of “National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017” (S. 422).

o First NASA authorization enacted since 2010.

o Included a reiteration of a commitment to the fullest commercial use of space—something Rep. Rohrabacher has long championed.

House passage and enactment of legislation (H.J.Res. 43) that reverses an Obama Administration rule, so that moving forward, states will have a greater ability to restrict tax dollars from going to abortion providers.

House passage and enactment of legislation (H.J.Res. 58) that would roll back an Obama Administration rule that sought to impose additional federal mandates and control on local schools.

House passage and enactment of legislation (H.J.Res. 44) that eliminates an Obama Administration rule that would have overhauled existing resource management regulations of federal lands while reducing input from local communities.

House passage of FY ’18 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1810), which sets spending parameters and policy for the Department of Defense.

o Two Rohrabacher amendments adopted: (1) a sense of Congress declaring Dr. Shakil Afridi an international hero and calling on Pakistan to release him immediately from prison, and (2) a prohibition on the transfer of certain funds to Pakistan until and unless the Secretary of Defense certifies that Pakistan is not using funds or equipment to persecute religious and ethnic minorities.

House passage of H.R. 23, the GROW Act, which would change law in several instances in an effort to increase (1) water storage capacity throughout California and the West, and (2) water flows throughout California and the West. The legislation would accomplish these goals by streamlining bureaucratic and environmental processes and relying on better science to determine appropriate water flows.

o Rep. Rohrabacher was an original co-sponsor of this legislation and spoke in favor of its enactment.

House passage of H.R. 1873, the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act—LaMalfa (R-CA): the legislation amends current law to streamline and improve the approval process for engaging in vegetation management on electric rights-of-way located on federal lands.

Enactment into law of S. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017—Rubio (R-FL): the legislation would institute a number of reforms to empower the Secretary of the VA with enhanced authority to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct. The legislation also provides additional protections for whistleblowers and implements additional measures that may be used to punish poor performance, misconduct, or employees who are convicted of a felony that influences his/her job at the VA.

House passage of the American Health Care Act. The Senate is now working to pass its version of healthcare reform​Problems with the Veterans Administration

U. S. Representative Dana Rohrabacher has an unyielding record of supporting America’s courageous men and women serving in the United States’ Armed Forces. The Congressman moved toward fresolving the problem of mistreatment of many veterans who suffered mistreatment from the Veterans Administration since the disclosure of this issue. Congressman Rohrabacher not only called for the resignation and replacement of Secretary Shinseki by co-sponsoring H.Con.Res.98, but he also voted in support of H.R. 3230, signed into law on August 7, 2014. He also provided supplemental and new authorities to the Veterans Administration to resolve their ongoing problems.

FY ’14 and FY ’15 Appropriations Bills

In general, Representative Rohrabacher supported appropriations bills before the House, in which spending remained at or below the previous year’s level of spending. However, bills that provide funding for veterans programs remain exceptions to this general rule. In this view, lawmakers need to remain committed to refraining from growing the size and scope of the federal government to reduce the deficit and pay down the national debt. However, appropriations bills (discretionary spending) are only one part of a very large federal budget. In order to limit government growth, lawmakers must also reign in mandatory spending, which accounts for well over half of the total federal budget.

Tax Extenders

The House passed a handful of individual bills to extend—on a permanent basis—various tax provisions, which demonstrate proof that they have helped American families and businesses in the past. For example, the House has passed and Congressman Rohrabacher has supported H.R. 3393, which consolidates and extends four higher education tax benefits. He supported H.R. 4457, which allows businesses to expense certain purchases, and H.R. 4438, which simplifies and extends the research tax credit. Instead of adopting these bills, the Senate chose to push for a larger comprehensive package of “tax extender” provisions in one piece of legislation.

Transportation Funding

The threat of a depletion of the Federal Highway Trust Fund is also bona fide. Current projections indicate the fund will deplete (and only make expenditures at the rate at which revenue came in) on August 1, unless Congress acts to supplement the trust fund. The House took the lead by passing H.R. 5021 on July 15, 2014. This would transfer nearly $8 billion from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund, while fully offsetting the expenditures, providing sufficient funding to the trust fund through the end of May 2015. The Senate first amended the House bill to provide enough funding only through December 19, but eventually acceded to the House’s version. Thus, the trust fund now has sufficient funds to continue its normal transportation infrastructure activities through the end of May of next year.

National Security Administration (NSA)

Congressman Rohrabacher continues to take very seriously issues regarding the revelation of the NSA’s surveillance activities. For example, he has co-sponsored two bills—H.R. 1852 and H.R. 3361—to prevent the ongoing abuses. He has also voted in favor of Rep. Massie’s amendment to the 2015 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations bill. This amendment would prohibit funding for conducting warrantless searches of government databases for information that pertains to U.S. citizens. Rep. Massie’s amendment passed overwhelmingly, 293-213, on June 19, 2014. However, there is much more work to do.

The amendment, which is not in effect, only pertains to DOD appropriations. A more permanent change to the law is necessary to end this government overreach for good.

Immigration (Crisis at the Southern Border)

Congressman Rohrabacher, a staunch advocate for legal immigration, continues to support a viable and equitable immigration system. At the same time, he continues to oppose adamantly any form of amnesty toward any individuals here illegally. The crisis at the Southern Border of the United States remains an unfortunate situation, which our country could have prevented in the first place. Benefitting from federal, state, and local programs and the allure of good-paying jobs in the United States remains one of the major incentives for illegal immigration. This is why Congressman Rohrabacher introduced and pushed for the enactment of his own bill, H.R. 2745, “No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants.”

Congressman Rohrabacher also remains a longtime supporter of mandatory E-Verify. In response to the immediate threat we face at our Southern Border with respect to unaccompanied minors, Representative Rohrabacher co-sponsored two pieces of legislation. H.R. 5160 prevents the President from expanding his deferred action plan for children—created by Executive Memorandum on August 15, 2012—and H.R. 5079. This bill would treat undocumented immigrant children from non-contiguous countries the same as those from contiguous countries—Mexico and Canada—providing for a more efficient process for deporting such undocumented and unaccompanied children.

Finally, Congressman Rohrabacher voted in favor of two House bills considered during the last week of July, 2014 that look to solve the crisis. The first, H.R. 5230, would provide supplemental appropriations to finance additional border patrol, deportation, and temporary assistance for the unaccompanied children, while also including provisions similar to H.R. 5079 described above. The second, H.R. 5272, is similar to H.R. 5160 described above. Bills—H.R. 5230 and H.R. 5272—passed the House on August 1, 2014, and continue to await further action in the Senate.^[15]

114th Congress

The first session of the114th Congress enacted into law six out of the 2,616 introduced bills (0.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 1.3 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the first session. In the second session, the114th Congress enacted 133 out of 3,159 introduced bills (4.2 percent). Comparatively, the113th Congress had 7.0 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.^[60][61] For more information pertaining to Rohrabacher's voting record in the 114th Congress, please see the below sections.^[62]

Economic and fiscal

Trade Act of 2015

See also:The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, 2015

Trade adjustment assistance
On June 12, 2015, theHouse rejected thetrade adjustment assistance (TAA) measure inHR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 126-302.Trade adjustment assistance (TAA) is a federal program providing American workers displaced by foreign trade agreements with job training and services. The measure was packaged withtrade promotion authority (TPA), also known as fast-track authority. TPA is a legislative procedure that allows Congress to define "U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations. Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented," according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Rohrabacher was one of 158 Republicans to vote against TAA.^[63][64]
Trade promotion authority
On June 12, 2015, theHouse passed thetrade promotion authority (TPA) measure inHR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015—by a vote of 219-211. TPA gives thepresident fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements sent toCongress without the opportunity for amendment or filibuster. Although the House approved TPA, it was a largely symbolic vote given the measure was part of a package trade bill includingtrade adjustment assistance (TAA), which was rejected earlier the same day. Rohrabacher was one of 54Republicans to vote against the measure.^[65][66]
Trade promotion authority second vote
After thetrade adjustment assistance (TAA) andtrade promotion authority (TPA) did not pass theHouse together on June 12, 2015, representatives voted to authorize TPA alone as an amendment toHR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—on June 18, 2015. The amendment passed by a vote of 218-208, with all voting members of the House maintaining their original positions on TPA except forTed Yoho (R-Fla.). Rohrabacher was one of 50Republicans to vote against the amendment.^[67][68]
Trade adjustment assistance second vote
TheHouse passedHR 1295—the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015—on June 25, 2015, by a vote of 286-138. TheSenate packagedtrade adjustment assistance (TAA) in this bill after the House rejected the TAA measure inHR 1314—the Trade Act of 2015. Along withtrade promotion authority (TPA), whichCongress passed as part ofHR 2146—the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act—TAA became law on June 29, 2015. Rohrabacher was one of 132Republicans to vote against HR 1295.^[69][70]

Defense spending authorization

On May 15, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1735—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 269-151. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It does not provide budget authority, which is provided in subsequent appropriations legislation." Rohrabacher voted with 227 otherRepublicans and 41Democrats to approve the bill.^[71] The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. PresidentBarack Obamavetoed the bill on October 22, 2015.^[72]

On November 5, 2015, theHouse passedS 1356—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016—by a vote of 370-58. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included $5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget and language preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison.^[73][74] Rohrabacher voted with eight otherRepublicans and 49Democrats against the bill.^[75] On November 10, 2015, theSenate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 25, 2015.^[76]

2016 Budget proposal

On April 30, 2015, theHouse voted to approveSConRes11, a congressional budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, by a vote of 226-197. The non-binding resolution was designed to create 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. All 183Democrats who voted, voted against the resolution. Rohrabacher voted with 225 otherRepublicans to approve the bill.^[77][78][79]

2015 budget

On October 28, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1314—the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015—by a vote of 266-167. The bill increased military and domestic spending levels and suspended the debt ceiling until March 2017.^[80] Rohrabacher voted with 166Republicans against the bill.^[81] It passed theSenate on October 30, 2015.^[82] PresidentBarack Obama signed it into law on November 2, 2015.

Foreign Affairs

Iran nuclear deal

See also:Iran nuclear agreement, 2015

On May 14, 2015, theHouse approvedHR 1191—the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 400-25. The bill required PresidentBarack Obama to submit the details of the nuclear deal with Iran for congressional review.Congress had 60 days to review the deal and vote to approve, disapprove, or take no action on the deal. During the review period, sanctions on Iran could not be lifted. Rohrabacher voted with 222 otherRepublicanrepresentatives to approve the bill.^[83][84]

Approval of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
On September 11, 2015, theHouse rejectedHR 3461—To approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed at Vienna on July 14, 2015, relating to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 162-269. The legislation proposed approvingthe nuclear agreement with Iran. Rohrabacher voted with 243Republicans and 25Democrats against the bill.^[85][86]

Suspension of Iran sanctions relief
On September 11, 2015, theHouse approvedHR 3460—To suspend until January 21, 2017, the authority of the President to waive, suspend, reduce, provide relief from, or otherwise limit the application of sanctions pursuant to an agreement related to the nuclear program of Iran—by a vote of 247-186. HR 3460 prohibited "the President, prior to January 21, 2017, from: limiting the application of specified sanctions on Iran or refraining from applying any such sanctions; or removing a foreign person (including entities) listed in Attachments 3 or 4 to Annex II of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA) from the list of designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury." Rohrabacher voted with 244Republicans and twoDemocrats for the bill.^[87][88]

Presidential non-compliance of section 2
On September 10, 2015, theHouse passedH Res 411—Finding that the President has not complied with section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015—by a vote of 245-186. Section 2 of theIran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 required the president to submit all materials related to the nuclear agreement for congressional review. HouseRepublicans introduced the resolution because two agreements between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran were not submitted to Congress. Rohrabacher voted with 244Republicans for the resolution.^[89][90]

Export-Import Bank

On October 27, 2015, theHouse passedHR 597—the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015—by a vote of 313-118. The bill proposed reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank and allowing it to resume offering assistance in the form of loans and insurance to foreign companies that wanted to buy U.S. goods.^[91] Rohrabacher voted with 116Republicans and oneDemocrat against the bill.^[92]

Domestic

USA FREEDOM Act of 2015

On May 13, 2015, theHouse passedHR 2048—the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 or the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015—by a vote of 338-88. The legislation revisedHR 3199—the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005—by ending the bulk collection of metadata under Sec. 215 of the act, requiring increased reporting from theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and requiring the use of "a specific selection term as the basis for national security letters that request information from wire or electronic communication service providers, financial institutions, or consumer reporting agencies." Rohrabacher voted with 46Republicans and 41Democrats against the legislation. It became law on June 2, 2015.^[93][94]

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

On May 13, 2015, theHouse passedHR 36—the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act—by a vote of 242-184. The bill proposed prohibiting abortions from being performed after a fetus was determined to be 20 weeks or older. The bill proposed exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Rohrabacher voted with 237Republicans in favor of the bill.^[95][96]

Cyber security

On April 23, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1731—the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015—by a vote of 355-63. The bill proposed creating an information sharing program that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. It also proposed including liability protections for companies.^[97] Rohrabacher voted with 219Republicans and 135Democrats to approve the bill.^[98]

On April 22, 2015, theHouse passedHR 1560—the Protecting Cyber Networks Act—by a vote of 307-116.^[99] The bill proposed procedures that would allow federal agencies and private entities to share information about cyber threats. Rohrabacher voted with 201Republicans and 105Democrats in favor of the bill.^[100]

Immigration

On November 19, 2015, theHouse passedHR 4038—the American SAFE Act of 2015—by a vote of 289-137.^[101] The bill proposed instituting additional screening processes for refugees from Iraq and Syria who applied for admission to the U.S. Rohrabacher voted with 241Republicans and 47Democrats in favor of the bill.^[102]

113th Congress

The second session of the113th Congress enacted into law 224 out of the 3215 introduced bills (7 percent). Comparatively, the112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.^[103] For more information pertaining to Rohrabacher's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.^[104]

National security

NDAA

Rohrabacher voted against HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.^[105]

DHS Appropriations

Rohrabacher voted for HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.^[106]

CISPA (2013)

Rohrabacher voted against HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.^[107]

Economy

Farm bill

On January 29, 2014, theU.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013,H.R. 2642, also known as theFarm Bill.^[108] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.^[109][110] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.^[110] Rohrabacher voted with 62 otherRepublicanrepresentatives against the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 15, 2014, theRepublican-runHouse approvedH.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.^[111][112] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64Republicans and threeDemocrats voting against the bill.^[112] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.^[113] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and protected theAffordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Rohrabacher joined with the 63 otherRepublicans and 3Democrats who voted against the bill.^[111][112]

Government shutdown

See also:United States budget debate, 2013

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.^[114] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen.Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.^[115] Rohrabacher voted for the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.^[116]

The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by theSenate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made bySenate Democrats was to require income verification forObamacare subsidies.^[117] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming fromRepublican members. Rohrabacher voted against HR 2775.^[118]

Federal Pay Adjustment Act

Rohrabacher voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill called for stopping a 0.5 percent pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect. The raises were projected to cost $11 billion over 10 years.^[119]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

Rohrabacher voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status.^[120] The vote largely followed party lines.^[121]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

Rohrabacher voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.^[122]

Social issues

Abortion

Rohrabacher voted for HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill was to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.^[123]

Government affairs

HR 676

See also:Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

On July 30, 2014, theU.S. House approveda resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. FiveRepublicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky,Paul Broun of Georgia,Scott Garrett of New Jersey,Walter Jones of North Carolina andSteve Stockman of Texas—voted withDemocrats against the lawsuit.^[124] Rohrabacher joined the other 224Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.^[125][126]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Rohrabacher voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.^[127]