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 Pitts
Watch...Voting
Record
Congressman Pitts' philosophy of Government
is possibly best described by remark he made during the last campaign
cycle in a debate with his Democratic opponent, Lois K. Herr.
"It is not the
job of Government to help people. It is the job of Government to help
people help themselves."
Representative
Joseph Pitts,16th Congressional District
(PA) - the district
includes all of Lancaster County and portions of Berks and Chester Counties.
Congressman Pitts website
Congressional
Voting Record...
most recent votes listed
first
Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act - Vote
Passed (261-153, 18 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would allow Native Hawaiians to form
an Interim Governing Council which would have the power to negotiate
with the federal government.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act -
Vote Passed (265-142, 26 Not Voting)
A new bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program was passed by the House, a week after the chamber
failed to override President Bush’s veto of the previous version of
the bill.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Internet Tax Freedom Act - Vote Passed (405-2, 25
Not Voting)
The House passed legislation that would extend the moratorium on
Internet access taxes through November 2011.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act - Vote Passed
(377-38, 16 Not Voting)
This House bill would require rail carriers transporting hazardous
substances to pass inspection and to provide their workers with
supplementary safety equipment.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Overriding the Veto of the Children’s Health Insurance Program
Reauthorization Act - Vote Failed (273-156, 4 Not
Voting)
The House came thirteen votes short of overriding the President's veto
of H.R. 976, a bill that would reauthorize and expand the State
Children's Health Insurance Program.
Rep. Joseph
Pitts voted
NO
War Profiteering Prevention Act - Vote Passed
(375-3, 53 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would criminalize "war profiteering."
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (264-148, 19 Not Voting)
The House passed legislation founding the National Affordable Housing
Trust Fund within the United States Treasury to assist in the building
of affordable housing for low-income families.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Tax Collection Responsibility Act - Vote Passed
(232-173, 26 Not Voting)
Despite a veto threat from the President, the House passed a bill that
intends to stop the Internal Revenue Service's private debt collection
program.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Improving Government Accountability Act - Vote Passed
(404-11, 17 Not Voting)
The House overwhelmingly passed this bill to enhance the independence
and accountability of the Inspectors General.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted Not Voting
MEJA Expansion and Enforcement Act of 2007 - Vote Passed
(389-30, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to hold private security contractors
accountable for criminal behavior.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007
- Vote Passed (264-154, 14 Not Voting)
This bill would extend the authorization for two regional commissions
and create three new commissions to help the most severely
economically distressed areas of the U.S.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (386-27, 19 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that is intended to provide tax relief to
the increasing amount of people who have lost their homes due to
foreclosure.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act -
Vote Passed (265-159, 1 Present, 8 Not Voting)
The House voted to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance
Program, or SCHIP, a health insurance program aimed at children from
low-income families that do not quality for Medicaid.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Making continuing appropriations for FY2008 - Vote
Passed (404-14, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed this continuing resolution that funds government
operations at its current levels until November 16, while Congress
continues to work on the new spending bills.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act - Vote
Passed (260-154, 2 Present, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this act to help prevent cases of "popcorn lung," a
disorder found in popcorn plant workers.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (263-146, 23 Not Voting)
The House passed this legislation to continue a flood insurance
program that provides affordable insurance to homeowners living in
areas vulnerable to flooding.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (348-72, 12 Not Voting)
The House easily passed this bill that will give the Federal Housing
Administration the authority to assist struggling homeowners in making
their mortgage payments.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act - Vote
Passed (312-110, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would help the insurance industry
cover costs in the event of a terrorist attack.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Vote Passed
(267-151, 14 Not Voting)
The House passed a measure obliging airlines to change flight
schedules if the airlines are worsening delays with too many peak hour
flights at the most trafficked airports.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination
Reauthorization Act - Vote Passed (333-75, 24 Not Voting)
House lawmakers easily passed this bill re-authorizing housing assistance
for Native Americans.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Patent Reform Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (220-175, 37 Not
Voting)
The House passed this legislation that would revise patent laws.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 - Vote Passed
(292-97, 43 Not Voting)
The House gave final approval to this bill that would cut over $20 billion
in federal subsidies to institutions that create student loans in order to
increase financial aid to college students.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (411-8, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would provide greater transparency in the
legislative process.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (225-204, 4 Not Voting)
The House voted for this bill that would expand the State Children’s
Health Insurance Program, adding up to 5 million children to the program.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability
Deployment Policy Act - Vote Passed (229-194, 3 Present, 6
Not Voting)
This House passed bill calls for U.S. soldiers to spend an equal amount of
time between combat and home.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer
Protection Act - Vote Passed (241-172, 20 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would require utility companies to produce
15 percent of their electricity from wind, solar power and other renewable
sources and calls for the gradual reduction of using fossil fuels to
generate electricity.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Protect America Act - Vote Passed (227-182, 23 Not
Voting)
The House passed this bill which would temporarily expand the executive
branch’s authority to spy on suspected foreign terrorists without a court
order, when communications are passing through the U.S.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Defense Appropriations Act, FY 2008 - Vote Passed
(395-13, 24 Not Voting)
The House passed this $459.6 billion appropriations bill for the
Department of Defense.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and
Related Agencies Appropriations, FY 2008 - Vote Passed
(268-153, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this $104.4 billion bill that would fund the Department
of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development for the
2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations for FY 2008 - Vote Passed (281-142, 9 Not
Voting)
The House passed this $53.6 billion bill that would fund the Department of
Commerce, Department of Justice, NASA and other science agencies.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act - Vote Passed
(231-191, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this large farm bill, which provides aid for farmers and
funds for low-income nutrition programs.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Vote Passed
(371-40, 22 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill which would implement recommendations from the
9/11 Commission.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Energy/Water Development Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote
Passed (312-112, 7 Not Voting)
This $31.6 billion bill would fund the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department's Bureau of Reclamation for
the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Passed
(276-140, 15 Not Voting)
The House passed this $153.7 billion bill that would fund the departments
of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education for the 2008 fiscal
year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act - Vote Passed
(223-201, 8 Not Voting)
The House voted to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY 2008
- Vote Passed (272-155, 5 Not Voting)
The House passed this $27.6 billion bill that would fund the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of Interior, the Forest Service and the
Indian Health Service for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations, FY 2008
- Vote Passed (240-179, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this $21.4 billion bill that would fund the Department of
Treasury, the Executive office, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia
and independent agencies for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations, FY 2008
- Vote Passed (241-178, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this $34.2 billion bill that would fund State Department
operations and foreign aid for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Homeland Security Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Passed (268-150,
14 Not Voting)
The House passed this $37.4 billion bill that would fund the Department of
Homeland Security for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Ethics Committee Investigations - Vote Passed (387-10, 15 Present,
20 Not Voting)
The House adopted this resolution directing the Ethics committee to begin
an investigation within 30 days of a lawmaker's indictment.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act - Vote Passed
(406-10, 16 Not Voting)
This $6.4 billion Afghanistan aid bill would cut off funds to local
Afghani governments with ties to criminals, drug dealers or terrorists.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act - Vote Passed (247-176, 10 Not
Voting)
The House voted to expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Vote Passed (284-141, 7 Not
Voting)
This House bill would allow the President to declare an energy emergency
for a specific period of time and make the sale of gasoline at
"unconscionably excessive" prices a federal offense.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Lobbying Transparency Act - Vote Passed (382-37, 13 Not
Voting)
This bill would require lobbyists to disclose the names of donors when
they "bundle" campaign contributions to Members of Congress.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Vote
Passed (396-22, 1 Present, 13 Not Voting)
This House bill would institute new lobbying reporting requirements
and increase penalties for violating lobbying rules.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Supplemental Appropriations bill, Amendment No. 1 - Vote
Passed (348-73, 12 Not Voting)
The House split the emergency supplemental spending bill into two
parts, with this first part including the domestic spending and
minimum wage hike portions of the bill.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Supplemental Appropriations bill, Amendment No. 2 - Vote
Passed (280-142, 11 Not Voting)
The House approved the $103 billion portion of the supplemental
spending bill that funds military operations in Iraq.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
National Defense Authorization Act - Vote Passed (397-27, 8 Not
Voting)
The House passed this bill authorizing $504 billion in Defense Department
spending and $142 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Budget Resolution, FY2008 - Vote Passed (214-209, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed the conference report for this $2.9 trillion budget plan
for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Budget Resolution, FY2008 - Vote Passed (212-207, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed a $2.9 trillion budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Student Loan Sunshine Act - Vote Passed (414-3, 15 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill aimed at introducing transparency into dealings
between private student loan lenders and colleges.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Homeland Security Authorization Act - Vote Passed (296-126, 10 Not
Voting)
The House passed this bill authorizing $39.8 billion in Department of
Homeland Security spending for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Re-deployment from Iraq Act - Vote Failed (171-255, 7 Not Voting)
The House rejected this bill that would have required all U.S. troops to
withdraw from Iraq within six months.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Vote Passed (221-205, 7
Not Voting)
The House approved this bill that would fund military operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan in two installments.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Agricultural Disaster Assistance Appropriations Act - Vote Passed
(302-120, 10 Not Voting)
This House bill would provide $3.5 billion to farmers who lost crops or
livestock due to weather-related events during fiscal years 2005 through
2007.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Intelligence Authorization Act - Vote Passed (225-197, 10 Not
Voting)
This bill authorizes spending for 16 U.S. intelligence gathering agencies
for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Veto Override, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations - Vote
Failed (222-203, 1 Present, 7 Not Voting)
The House fell over 60 votes short of overturning President Bush's
veto of a $124 billion spending bill that would have set a timetable
for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Improving Head Start Act - Vote Passed (365-48, 19 Not Voting)
This House bill is intended to boost funding for the Head Start
program.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 -
Vote Passed (237-180, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that expands the definition of a "hate
crime" to include sexual orientation.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Wild Horse Protection Bill - Vote Passed (277-137, 18 Not
Voting)
This House bill would prohibit the Bureau of Land Management from
selling wild horses or burros to be slaughtered for commercial use.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq
Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 - Vote Passed
(218-208, 2 Present, 5 Not Voting)
The House passed this $124 billion bill that funds military operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan and sets a timetable for the withdrawal of
troops from Iraq.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act - Vote Passed
(269-134, 30 Not Voting)
The House voted to give shareholders in public companies a nonbinding
vote on executive compensation.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Water Resources Development Act - Vote Passed (394-25, 14 Not
Voting)
The House passed this $15 billion bill funding improvements to the
nation's waterways.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act - Vote Passed
(241-177, 1 Present, 14 Not Voting)
This bill would increase the size of the U.S. House of Representatives
to 437 by granting the District of Columbia a full vote in the chamber
and adding another seat in Utah.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act
- Vote Passed (218-212, 1 Present, 3 Not Voting)
The House passed this $124 million emergency supplemental bill that
provides funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and
sets a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act - Vote Passed
(302-125, 6 Not Voting)
This House bill would require the government to replace public housing
that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Accountability in Contracting Act - Vote Passed (347-73, 13
Not Voting)
This House bill is intended to increase
oversight of federal contractors.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act - Vote Passed
(331-94, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill is intended to
strengthen federal workers' whistleblower rights.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Freedom of Information Act Amendments - Vote Passed (308-117,
8 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would
impose new requirement on government agencies regarding Freedom of
Information Act requests.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (303-108,
22 Not Voting)
This House bill would provide $14
billion for wastewater treatment plant improvements.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Water Quality Investment Act - Vote Passed (367-58, 8 Not
Voting)
The House passed this $1.7 billion bill
intended to help communities modernize their wastewater systems.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Employee Free Choice Act - Vote Passed (241-185, 8 Not Voting)
This bill is intended to make it easier
for a plant to unionize and would end the right of employers to
request secret-ballot elections.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Iraq War Policy resolution - Vote Passed (246-182, 6 Not
Voting)
The House passed this non-binding resolution disapproving of President
Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Small Business Tax Relief Act - Vote Passed (360-45, 28 Not
Voting)
The House approved this $1.3 billion package of small business tax
breaks intended to be combined with the minimum wage increase.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research
and Development Act -
Vote Passed (400-3, 31 Not Voting)
This
House bill is intended to
encourage the use of alternative fuels.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Further Continuing Appropriations, FY2007 - Vote Passed
(286-140, 9 Not Voting)
The
House passed this $463.5 billion measure funding government operations
through the end of the 2007 fiscal year.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act -
Vote Passed (264-163, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill is intended to encourage
development of alternate sources of energy.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
College Student Relief Act - Vote Passed (356-71, 8 Not
Voting)
This House bill is intended to make college
education more affordable by gradually reducing the interest rate on
need-based student loans issued after July 2007 from 6.8 percent to 3.4
percent.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
YES
Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act - Vote
Passed (255-170, 10 Not Voting)
This House bill would require the government to negotiate Medicare
prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act - Vote Passed
(253-174, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill would expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell
research.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Congressman Pitts
news release...
Fair Minimum Wage Act - Vote Passed (315-116, 4 Not
Voting)
This House bill would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25
over the next two years.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted NO
Implementing the 9/11Commission Recommendations Act - Vote
Passed (299-128, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill is intended to implement the remaining 9/11 Commission
homeland security recommendations.
Rep. Joseph Pitts voted
NO
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