Voter Education 6
Congress was back in session last week, and The Arizona Daily Star reported on three votes taken in the House of Representatives. Here are Representative McSally’s votes, and my verdict on each.
- “Higher-Education Savings Plans” [Unknown] (HR 529) – This bill expands the types of tax-free expenditures that can be made from earnings in 529 college-savings plans. According to the Star, it’s “projected to increase annual deficits by $51 million through fiscal 2025.” The bill was passed by an overall vote of 401 – 20; McSally voted FOR. I would have also voted for this; my verdict is PASS.
- “Disclosure of Brokerage Fees” [D] (Amendment to HR 529) – This amendment would have required companies that manage 529 plans to “disclose to customers the amounts of their brokerage fees and illustrate the cumulative cost of these fees over 10 and 20 years,” according to the Star. In other words, it would have forced the 529 administrators to be more transparent about their fees and costs. McSally voted AGAINST. I think that consumers are better off when they have more information available, and by knowing what a plan’s fees and costs are, they would be better able to maximize the impact of their education dollars. I would have voted for this amendment, so my verdict is FAIL.
- “One-Week Budget for Homeland Security” [Bipartisan] (HR 33) – This bill extended funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through March 6, to give the House [more] time to figure out how to fund DHS for the rest of the fiscal year. (A Republican bill to fund DHS for three weeks was defeated. No voting record was given for the 3-week bill.) McSally voted FOR. I would also have voted for this bill, so my verdict is PASS.
With three more votes reported on, Representative McSally’s record is now at Party Line – 29, Independent – 1, Unknown – 2. With respect to how I would have voted, she has a record of 19 Fails, 9 Passes, and 4 Abstains.
The Peripatetic Traveler 
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