I’ve picked out a few bills that were voted on in Congress for passage in the last couple of months. I’ve listed how Tennessee’s Congressmen voted on them.

1.This morning, by a vote of 409 to 2, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to be signed by the President that would prevent the use of credit cards and fund transfers for unlawful Internet gambling and block financial transactions associated with illegal gambling. Similar legislation was first introduced in the 106th Congress by then Banking and Financial Services Committee Chairman James A. Leach (IA), and has been approved by the House in the past two Congresses.

Language included in the Conference Report for H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act, reflects the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act, H.R. 4411, which was approved in the House on July 11, by a vote of 317-93.

Tennessee Congressional Votes: Jenkins was a “no vote.” The remaining Tennessee delegation all voted “aye” on HR 4411.

2. HR 4772: To simplify and expedite access to the Federal courts for injured parties whose rights and privileges under the United States Constitution have been deprived by final actions of Federal agencies or other government officials or entities acting under color of State law, and for other purposes.
Status:
Failed House (89% of Republicans supporting, 80% of Democrats opposing.)

Votes on HR 4772: Jim Cooper(D) “Nay”, Harold Ford Jr. “no vote”, the remaining Tennessee delegation all voted “aye.”

3.H.R.4830
Title: To amend chapter 27 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the unauthorized construction, financing, or reckless permitting (on one’s land) the construction or use of a tunnel or subterranean passageway between the United States and another country.
Sponsor: Rep Dreier, David [CA-26] (introduced 3/1/2006)

Vote: All Tennessee Congressmen voted “aye.”

4.H.R.6095
Title: To affirm the inherent authority of State and local law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws, to provide for effective prosecution of alien smugglers, and to reform immigration litigation procedures.
Sponsor: Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] (introduced 9/19/2006)

Votes: All Tennessee Congressmen voted “aye.”

5.H.R.4844
Title: To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each individual who desires to vote in an election for Federal office to provide the appropriate election official with a government-issued photo identification, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hyde, Henry J. [IL-6] (introduced 3/2/2006) Passed House (98% of Republicans supporting, 98% of Democrats opposing.)
This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate.
Introduced: Mar 2, 2006
Last Action: Sep 21, 2006: Received in the Senate
Votes: Aye TN-1 Jenkins, William [R]
Aye TN-2 Duncan, John [R]
Aye TN-3 Wamp, Zach [R]
Nay TN-4 Davis, Lincoln [D]
Nay TN-5 Cooper, Jim [D]
Nay TN-6 Gordon, Barton [D]
Aye TN-7 Blackburn, Marsha [R]
Nay TN-8 Tanner, John [D]
Nay TN-9 Ford, Harold [D]

6. H.R.6061
Title: To establish operational control over the international land and maritime borders of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 9/13/2006)

Votes: All Tennessee Congressmen voted “aye.”

7.H.R.2389
Title: To amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sponsor: Rep Akin, W. Todd [MO-2] (introduced 5/17/2005)
Passed House (96% of Republicans supporting, 81% of Democrats opposing.)

Votes: All Congressmen vote “aye,” with the exception of Congressman Cooper. He voted “nay.”

8. HR 2679 Public Expression of Religion Act. To amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to prevent the use of the legal system in a manner that extorts money from State and local governments, and the Federal Government, and inhibits such governments’ constitutional actions under the first, tenth, and fourteenth amendments.
Status:
Passed House (97% of Republicans supporting, 87% of Democrats opposing.)
This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate.
Introduced: May 26, 2005

Votes:

Aye TN-1 Jenkins, William [R]
Aye TN-2 Duncan, John [R]
Aye TN-3 Wamp, Zach [R]
Aye TN-4 Davis, Lincoln [D]
Nay TN-5 Cooper, Jim [D]
Aye TN-6 Gordon, Barton [D]
Aye TN-7 Blackburn, Marsha [R]
Nay TN-8 Tanner, John [D]
No Vote TN-9 Ford, Harold [D]