How they voted: Schumer and Gillibrand on intelligence activity and sanctioning Russia and Iran – Daily Freeman
WASHINGTON, July 31 — Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.
The House has begun its traditional August recess early this year.
Along with its votes this week, the Senate also passed a bill (S. Res. 608), expressing the sense of the Senate that Ghislaine Maxwell should not be granted a presidential pardon or any form of clemency for her crimes with Jeffrey Epstein relating to the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
There were no key votes in the House this week.
Senate
Intelligence activity
The Senate on July 28 voted 51-47 to confirm the nomination of Walter “Jay” Clayton to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Clayton chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for most of President Trump’s first term, then rejoined his former law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell, until 2025 when he was named the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. A supporter, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., cited Clayton’s work at the SEC protecting investors and national security in saying: “Amid a heightened threat environment, having a proven leader in this role is especially important, and Jay Clayton fits this mold.”
U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., voted no.
Sanctioning Russia and Iran
The Senate on July 29 voted 84-12 to pass a motion to consider the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act (H.R. 5334), sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif. The bill would authorize imposing secondary tariffs on imports from countries that import fossil fuels from Russia, adopt a variety of sanctions against Russia, and extend expiring sanctions on Iran. A supporter, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said it will “stop countries from purchasing Russian oil and gas that is Putin’s financial lifeline, and it will also hold the regime in Tehran accountable for fueling 47 years of terrorism around the globe.”
Schumer and Gillibrand voted yes.
Child care funding
The Senate on July 30 voted 52-47 to reject a motion to proceed to a bill (S.J. Res. 199), sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., that would have voided a Department of Health and Human Services rule, issued this May, that cancelled regulations in the agency’s child care and development subsidies program adopted in 2024. Murray said the rule ended a 7-percent cap on co-payments for child care by parents in the program, but restoring the cap would mean savings of as much as $15,000 a year for a family.
Schumer and Gillibrand voted yes.
Iran War
The Senate on July 30 voted 50-49 to reject a motion to discharge from its Foreign Relations Committee a bill (S.J. Res. 181), sponsored by Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., that would have required the end of combat action against Iran in the absence of Congressional authorization. Gillibrand said Congress owed members of the military “a sacred obligation. We do not send them into harm’s way without a clear mission, defined objectives, and the support of the American people.”
Schumer and Gillibrand voted yes.
En Bloc nominees
The Senate on July 30 voted 50-47 to pass a bill (S. Res. 817), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to provide for en bloc consideration of 74 presidential nominees to various positions, including ambassadors to Brazil and Norway, several judges, and other judicial branch nominees.
Schumer and Gillibrand voted no.
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