HOUSE
Debt-Limit Waiver: Members voted, 285-144, to waive the statutory debt limit until May 19, allowing the Treasury to borrow above the current $16.4 trillion limit until then. A yes vote was to pass a bill that also denies pay for members of Congress if the Senate fails to pass a budget plan as required by law for fiscal 2014 and beyond. (HR 325)
Frank LoBiondo, R-2: YES
Jon Runyan, R-3: YES
Social Security, Medicare: Members defeated, 151-277, a Democratic bid to bar any budget resulting from HR 325 (above) from privatizing Social Security, cutting benefits for veterans or troops, converting Medicare to a voucher plan, cutting Medicaid or reducing guaranteed health-insurance benefits for disabled persons or senior citizens. A yes vote backed the Democratic motion.
LoBiondo: NO
Runyan: NO
Chemical, Biological Attacks: Members voted, 395-29, to renew for five years several post-9/11 programs to develop and deploy medical countermeasures in the event of chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear attacks against the U.S. A yes vote was to send HR 307 to the Senate.
LoBiondo: YES
Runyan: YES
SENATE
Filibuster Changes: Senators adopted, 86-9, a rule for the 113th Congress that keeps the 60-vote threshold for ending filibusters but takes marginal steps to make filibusters slightly less of an obstacle to the flow of legislation and nominations on the Senate floor. A yes vote was to adopt S Res 16.
Robert Menendez, D: YES
Frank Lautenberg, D: YES
Source: Voterama in Congress
