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Home / Washington Business - July/August 2006 / Hastings, McMorris and Reichert high on employer voting records |
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Hastings, McMorris and Reichert high on employer voting records |
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Written On: July/August 2006 |
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Increasingly, federal and state issues overlap and the Association of Washington Business is asked by our partners, the United States Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, to weigh in with our congressional delegation on issues important to employers. Since AWB has the comprehensive grassroots network in our state, the Chamber and NAM ask us to motivate our members to write, fax, e-mail and phone on issues before Congress.
In 2005, AWB tracked 16 votes in which we contacted Washington’s two senators and nine House members. We then compared our votes with the Chamber, NAM, League of Conservation Voters and the AFL-CIO. No vote counts were published for organizations like the American Trial Lawyers Association or the American Tort Reform Association.
After tallying the votes, House members Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, and Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, scored 92 percent followed by Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, with 84 percent. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge, and Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, were the lowest AWB scorers at 17 percent. On the Senate side, Democrat Patty Murray scored 20 percent and Democrat Maria Cantwell raised her record to 50 percent.
Details of Association Health Plans Splits Employers
Generally, our positions agreed with the Chamber and NAM. The only difference was allowing associations to offer health plans to small employers. While we agree with our national affiliates about the need for association health plans, the details of the legislation were problematic because we believed these allowed unacceptable shifting of health care costs. So, we disagreed. While the bill passed the House, it was not considered by the Senate. Both Senators Cantwell and Murray indicated to us they oppose national association health plans.
In the House, Congressmen Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens; Adam Smith, D-Tacoma; Norm Dicks, D-Bremerton; Jay Inslee and Jim McDermott supported AWB while Vancouver Democrat Brian Baird joined Republicans Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris and Doc Hastings to oppose AWB and voted in favor of association health plans.
Class Action Lawsuit Reforms Finally Pass
On liability lawsuit reform, AWB President Don Brunell and former Washington Gov. Booth Gardner continue to coordinate our state’s coalitions. AWB, the Chamber and NAM lobbied to pass class action and medical malpractice lawsuit reform and other legislation curbing frivolous lawsuits. While the House passed all six bills dealing with lawsuit abuse, only class action reform made it through the Senate to President Bush’s desk. He signed the bill. Only Murray, Inslee, Dicks and McDermott opposed the legislation.
The House again voted to permanently end the federal estate tax. AWB supports that proposal as well as state legislation to repeal the recent re-enactment of the Washington’s estate tax. While the Senate did not consider the matter, Larsen voted with the Republicans to finally end the so-called death tax.
In 2005, Congress narrowly approved free trade legislation with the Dominican Republic and Central American. AWB urged approval, and Murray, Cantwell, Hastings, McMorris, Dicks and Reichert voted for the treaty which was approved by the U.S. Senate, 54-45, and House, 217-215—one of the closest margins of victory since Congress first convened more than 200 years ago.
Cantwell Tubes ANWR
AWB also wanted Congress to open a tiny portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska—30,000 of the estimated 19 million acres—for environmentally safe oil and gas exploration, but Cantwell sponsored several amendments to prevent it. On this issue, Reichert joined Democrats in the delegation to oppose drilling in every measure presented. AWB supported exploration because we need oil for our refineries and natural gas to heat our homes, generate electricity, and to make fertilizers, paper and other industrial products.
When the comprehensive energy bill finally made it to the floor of the House and Senate without provisions for ANWR exploration, only Murray, Inslee, Baird, McDermott and Smith opposed it from Washington.
Finally, on transportation, AWB received unanimous support from the entire Washington congressional delegation for a comprehensive transportation funding program.
"These votes are important to employers and jobs," AWB President Don Brunell concluded. "It is important to look at how each member voted on issues important to employers and support those candidates who voted to create jobs."
If you would like details about the votes, check AWB’s Web site at www.awb.org. It contains a complete matrix of the 2005 Congressional votes which AWB counted.
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