Congressman Harris Vote Update - April 2021

In April, The Congressman continued his pattern of voting no:

April 22, 2021:  H.R. 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act.   To provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union.   H.R.51 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Washington, D.C. Admission Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

The vote passed the House with 216 Democrats voting for the bill and 208 Republicans voting no.  Congressman Harris voted no.  Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives – Vote Details. The Congressman did though vote “yes” on an earlier motion to recommit the bill. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives – Vote Details.  Motions to recommit can be offered by the Minority party before the Speaker orders the vote on final passage of a bill giving the Minority party one last chance to amend or kill the bill.  See THE MOTION TO RECOMMIT (house.gov))

H.R. 51 is now in the Senate.

April 21, 2021:  H.R. 1392 – Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021

According to the summary of the bill prepared by the Congressional Research Service, the bill imposes temporary limits on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and requires various reports and actions related to the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.   Under the bill, the President may not transfer or authorize for export certain defense articles or services to Saudi Arabia for 120 days after enactment.  The prohibition remains in effect for up to three years unless the President periodically certifies to Congress that Saudi Arabia has not conducted: (1) forced repatriation, intimidation or killing of dissidents in other countries; (2) unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of U.S. Citizens or lawful aliens; or (3) torture of detainees in custody of the government of Saudi Arabia.  The bill also requires the President to certify that individuals with Saudi diplomatic credentials are not using such credentials to track or harass Saudi nationals in the United States. H.R.1392 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

H.R. 1392 passed the House on a bipartisan basis with 214 Democrats and 136 Republicans voting yes.  Congressman Harris voted no.  Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives – Vote Details.  His website offers no explanation for his vote.

April 21, 2021:  H.R. 1573 – Access to Counsel Act of 2021 H.R.1573 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Access to Counsel Act of 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

According to the summary prepared by the Congressional Research Service, the bill provides various protections for covered individuals subject to secondary or deferred inspections when seeking admission into the United States.  Covered individuals include U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, aliens in possession of a visa, returning asylees and refugees.  The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that a covered individual subject to secondary or deferred inspection has a meaningful opportunity to consult with counsel and certain related parties, such as a relative, within an hour of the start of the secondary inspection.  H.R.1573 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Access to Counsel Act of 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress.

The bill passed the House with no Republican support.  Congressman Harris voted no. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives – Vote Details

On the non-legislative front, Congressman Harris has encouraged constituents to get vaccinated for Covid-19.  How some Republican lawmakers are fighting conservatives’ COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy – ABC News (go.com).  However, he objected to the University of Maryland requiring vaccination as a condition of returning to campus.  According to the Congressman, such requirement is objectionable because the vaccine has only received emergency use authorization, remains “unapproved,” and therefore should be optional with the individual agreeing to receive the vaccine only after having given informed consent.  Harris Disappointed in University of Maryland System Vaccine Mandate | Congressman Andy Harris (house.gov).  The Congressman’s explanation for his objection omits important context.    Emergency Use Authorization is a deliberate and considered, albeit expedited, authorization process applied in emergency circumstances.  Emergency Use Authorization for Vaccines Explained | FDAs.  The Congressman himself expresses confidence that the vaccines are safe and effective.  Congressman Andy Harris | Representing the First District of Maryland (house.gov) , Tweet, April 27, 2021).