Mary Heitkamp

This vote confirms Sam Brownback (ACUF Lifetime 92.2%) as the US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, whose duties include monitoring persecution and discrimination on a global scale through the Office of International Religious Freedom. ACU supported the confirmation of Brownback who, as a Governor, Senator and Representative of Kansas, compiled a strong voting record and demonstrated a commitment to conservative principles. The Senate voted to confirm Brownback on January 24, 2018 by a vote of 49-49, with Vice President Mike Pence (ACUF Lifetime 99.6%) voting "Yes" to break the tie.

This bill, known as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, makes it unlawful to abort pain-capable unborn children. The bill states that unborn children are pain-capable at 20 weeks of pregnancy and provides exceptions if the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. At this stage in a pregnancy, unborn babies react to touch, are fully formed and have beating hearts and functional brains. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The motion to invoke cloture (end debate) and advance the bill failed on January 29, 2018 by a vote of 51-46. (Sixty votes were required on legislation and a "Yes" vote supported the ACU position.)

The Toomey (R-PA, ACUF Lifetime 92.8%) amendment to an unrelated health care bill establishes the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. Under the act, a portion of a state's or local government's federal funding is withheld if they fail to cooperate with federal immigration authorities or fail to comply with federal immigration law. ACU supports efforts to force states to comply with federal authorities as they perform their constitutional role in enforcing the nation's immigration laws and supported this amendment. The motion to invoke cloture (end debate) and advance the amendment failed on February 15, 2018 by a vote of 54-45. (Sixty votes were required on legislation and a "Yes" vote supported the ACU position.)

This vote confirms Russell Vought as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The position plays a critical role in carrying out the president's policy agenda government-wide. ACU supported the confirmation of Vought, who has fought for the principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility throughout his career. The Senate voted to confirm Vought on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 49-49, with Vice President Mike Pence (ACUF Lifetime 99.6%) voting "Yes" to break the tie.

This bill modifies some of the devastating regulations imposed on the financial sector through an Obama-era bill known as Dodd-Frank, which resulted in 22,000 pages of new regulations. Some of the reforms under this bill include regulatory relief for both small and large banks, reduced red tape on mortgage lending, and other revisions to encourage capital formation. ACU believes no business is "too big to fail," supports expanding consumer access to credit and eliminating regulations under Dodd-Frank that have shuttered numerous banks, especially small lenders and credit unions, and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 14, 2018 by a vote of 67-31.

This resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act to overturn an overreaching Obama administration rule that limited the ability of auto dealers to offer discounted-rate auto loans to customers. Specifically, the rule related to indirect auto lending and compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. ACU supports the overturning of this Obama-era regulation that has stifled the free market and increased the cost of auto loans and supported this resolution. The Senate passed the resolution on April 18, 2018 by a vote of 51-47. (A "Yes" vote supported the ACU Position.)

This Democrat-led resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act to re-impose Obama-era "net neutrality" regulations on the internet. These regulations, which were overturned by Chairman Ajit Pai and the Federal Communications Commission, are price controls that prohibit ISPs from charging different rates for faster service or blocking websites. ACU supports an internet free of government interference, which has allowed it to thrive since its conception, and opposes heavy-handed government regulations, such as net neutrality, which have favored some companies while placing over 1,000 small ISPs at a competitive disadvantage, and opposed this resolution. The Senate passed the resolution on May 16, 2018 by a vote of 52-47. This vote was double-weighted due to the fact it would allow government to retake control of the internet, a remarkable driver of innovation and free speech.

The Toomey (R-PA, ACUF Lifetime 92.8%) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act establishes congressional oversight of the rulemaking authority of unelected bureaucrats within the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Under the bill, all major regulations (including those with an economic impact of $100 million or greater) are required to be approved by Congress before their enactment. Additionally, CFIUS must submit to Congress a written report that contains data, economic studies and cost-benefit analysis justifying the implementation of any new regulation. ACU supports increasing government transparency and checks on the rulemaking power of government agencies and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on June 14, 2018 by a vote of 35-62.

The Lee (R-UT, ACUF Lifetime 99.5%) amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Act repeals the Obama-era "Clean Water Rule: Definition of 'Waters of the United States,'" which provided unelected bureaucrats within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carte blanche authority to interpret the definition of a "navigable waterway." As a result, the EPA had expanded its jurisdiction to regulate nearly any water source, including ponds, ditches and even puddles. ACU Foundation's Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to ensure the constitutional rights of all landowners are protected from government overreach. ACU opposes the unconstitutional action taken by the Obama administration, supports strengthening property rights and supported this amendment. The Senate tabled (defeated) the amendment on June 21, 2018 by a vote of 62-34. (A "No" vote supported the ACU position.)

The Kennedy (R-LA, ACUF Lifetime 78.6%) amendment to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (i.e., farm bill) helps encourage self-sufficiency by making reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Some of these reforms to the food stamp program include updating photo identification requirements and strengthening work and job training requirements for single, work-ready adults without children. ACU supports strengthening work and job training requirements for welfare, which encourages self-sufficiency and reduces intergenerational poverty and supported this amendment. The Senate tabled (defeated) the amendment on June 28, 2018 by a vote of 68-30. (A "No" vote supported the ACU position.)

The Lee (R-UT, ACUF Lifetime 99.5%) amendment to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (i.e., farm bill) makes numerous reforms to "checkoff" programs within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These programs force all producers of agricultural products to pay into a fund for industry promotion. The programs are rife with cronyism and oftentimes reduce competition between producers, particularly at the expense of small businesses. Some of the reforms under the bill include the establishment of uniform standards that prohibit anti-competitive activity within the programs, as well as measures that prohibit employees and agents of checkoff boards from engaging in activities that pose a conflict of interest. ACU opposes checkoff programs and supports this measure to reduce corruption and increase transparency and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on June 28, 2018 by a vote of 38-57.

This bill extends government control of the National Flood Insurance Program through November 30, 2018. The program is over $20 billion in debt, and the extension lacks any reforms, including reforms to ensure flood maps are updated and that insurance premiums reflect actual risk. ACU believes flood insurance should be provided by the private sector and opposes this program, which discourages flood prevention measures and forces taxpayers to subsidize the risk of select property owners, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 31, 2018 by a vote of 86-12.

The Lee (R-UT, ACUF Lifetime 99.5%) amendment to a multi-agency appropriations bill prevents the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from inappropriately interfering in the marketplace. Specifically, the amendment prohibits the FDA from enforcing a rule that prevents producers of plant-based products (such as almond milk) from using the word "milk" in its branding (e.g., "almond milk"). The FDA claims its rule is necessary to protect consumers from confusion, but consumers are not confused about whether almond milk comes from a cow. Instead, the FDA's action is an example of government favoring certain companies over others. ACU supports a free and competitive marketplace and opposes unnecessary interference designed to restrict competition and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on August 1, 2018 by a vote of 14-84.

The Cruz (R-TX, ACUF Lifetime 98.3%) amendment to a multi-agency appropriations bill prohibits any money appropriated to the District of Columbia from funding the District's health care insurance individual mandate. The amendment is in response to actions taken by the District to establish its own individual mandate after the Obamacare financial penalty for lacking insurance was zeroed out under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. ACU has long opposed Obamacare and its costly provisions, such as the individual mandate, and supported this amendment. The Senate tabled (defeated) the amendment on August 1, 2018 by a vote of 54-44. (A "No" vote supported the ACU position.)

The Paul (R-KY, ACUF Lifetime 96.6%) amendment to a multi-agency appropriations bill prohibits federal money from funding entities that perform abortions, such as Planned Parenthood. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on August 23, 2018 by a vote of 45-48.

This vote confirms the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The nomination is in response to the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and served 30 years on the court. ACU supported the nomination of Kavanaugh, an ardent defender of the Constitution and equal rights under the law with an outstanding track record as a United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia, and supported his confirmation. The Senate confirmed Kavanaugh on October 6, 2018 by a vote of 50-48. The vote is double-weighted due to the crucial role he will play in upholding the Constitution as a lifetime member of the Supreme Court. While not voting, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK, ACUF Lifetime 57.7%) was recorded as opposing and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT, ACUF Lifetime 85.7%) was recorded as supporting, based upon the declared positions of both members.

This Democrat-led resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act to prevent consumers from purchasing short-term limited duration insurance plans, which are low-cost alternatives to Obamacare. Specifically, the bill overturns a rule by Department of Health and Human Services that exands the sale of these plans, that are exempt from many of the costly mandates under Obamacare, such as the mandate to cover "essential health benefits." ACU supports efforts to bypass Obamacare and provide consumers with greater freedom to purchase the health care plans that best fit their needs and opposed this resolution. The Senate defeated the resolution on October 10, 2018 by a vote of 50-50.

This roll call confirms Jonathan A. Kobes as the Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit. The vote is significant considering Senator Flake (R-AZ, ACUF Lifetime 93.1%) attempted to blackmail the Senate and oppose all judicial nominees until a bill protecting the Mueller Investigation was brought to a vote. ACU supports Kobes and other judicial nominees who have demonstrated a commitment to defending the Constitution and supported this nomination. The Senate confirmed Kobes on December 11, 2018 by a vote of 50-50, with Vice President Mike Pence (ACUF Lifetime 99.6%) voting "Yes" to break the tie.

This Democrat-led resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act to limit free political speech by requiring certain tax-exempt organizations to collect and make available to the Internal Revenue Service the names and addresses of their contributors. Specifically, the resolution nullifies the Department of The Treasury rule that protects donor identity ("Returns by Exempt Organizations and Returns by Certain Non-Exempt Organizations"). ACU opposes efforts to chill free political speech through donor intimidation and opposed this resolution. The Senate passed the resolution on December 12, 2018 by a vote of 50-49.

This bill, known as the First Step Act, makes numerous reforms to the criminal justice system to reduce costs, responsibly lower incarceration rates and improve public safety. The bill focuses on reforming sentencing, inmate rehabilitation and prison safety. The ACU Foundation's Nolan Center for Justice was a leading force behind the passage of the bill and engages in other federal and state-based initiatives. ACU supports efforts to reduce recidivism and reform our criminal justice system, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on December 18, 2018 by a vote of 87-12.