Here's how area members of Congress voted on major issues in the week ending Feb. 2.

HOUSE

$659 BILLION FOR U.S. MILITARY: Voting 250 for and 166 against, the House on Jan. 30 passed a $659.2 billion military appropriations bill for fiscal 2018 that would provide $75.1 billion for fighting wars overseas; fund a 3,500-troop buildup in Afghanistan; support a 2.4 percent pay raise for those in uniform; fund programs for military victims of sexual assault and provide more than $50 billion for active-duty, family and retiree health care. Opponents called for delaying the bill until after Congress abandons stopgap spending and agrees on a permanent budget for the fiscal year that began in October.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

South Carolina voting yes: Joe Wilson, Jeff Duncan, Trey Gowdy, Ralph Norman, Tom Rice

Voting no: Mark Sanford, James Clyburn

 

FLOOR DEBATE ON DREAMERS BILL: Voting 232 for and 187 against, the House on Jan. 30 blocked a Democratic bid for floor consideration of a bill (HR 3440) that would grant permanent legal status to the so-called "dreamers" who were brought illegally to the United States as children and face potential deportation starting March 5 under a Trump administration directive. This vote occurred during debate on H Res 714.

A yes vote was in opposition to moving the bill from committee to the House floor.

South Carolina voting yes: Sanford, Wilson, Duncan, Gowdy, Norman, Rice

Voting no: Clyburn

 

SENATE

STRICTER ABORTION LIMITS: Voting 51 for and 46 against, the Senate on Jan. 29 turned back a House-passed bill (HR 36) that would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks of fertilization on the belief that the fetus can feel pain by then. Supporters needed 60 votes to overcome a Democratic-led filibuster against the measure. The bill allows exemptions to save the mother's life and in cases of rape or incest but not to protect the mother's health. Rape victims must receive counseling and medical care at least 48 hours before the procedure to be exempted. Doctors who violate the law could be criminally prosecuted. The bill repudiates the medical standard in Roe v. Wade that abortion is legal up to when the fetus reaches viability -- usually after 24-to-28 weeks of pregnancy -- and after viability if it is necessary to protect the health or life of the mother. Under Roe, viability occurs when the fetus can potentially survive outside the womb with or without artificial aid.

A yes vote was to advance the bill.

South Carolina voting yes: Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott

Voting no: None

 

Both chambers will take up a bill to fund agencies when a temporary budget expires Feb. 9 at midnight. The Senate is expected to vote on the legal status of the undocumented young immigrants known as "dreamers."