Ryan, Molinaro on oversight of federal prisons, regulating digital currencies –

U.S. Reps. Marc Molinaro, R-Catskill, left; and Pat Ryan, D-Gardiner. (Tania Barricklo/Daily Freeman, file photos)

WASHINGTON, DC Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

House

Police Fatalities

The House on May 17 voted 337-61 to pass a resolution (H. Res. 1213), sponsored by Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., to condemn calls to defund the police and resulting increases in violence against law enforcement officers. Stauber said: “The honorable men and women in law enforcement in America deserve better treatment.” An opponent, Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., said the resolution was disrespectful to federal law enforcement officers in agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation because it did not mention such officers.

U.S. Reps Marc Molinaro, R-Catskill; and Pat Ryan, D-Gardiner, voted yes.

Taxes and Disaster Aid

The House on May 21 voted 382-7 to pass the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863), sponsored by Rep. Gregory W. Steube, R-Fla. The bill would exempt money that has been received as compensation for losses resulting from wildfire disasters or the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, from being counted as gross income for income tax purposes. Steube said: “This bill helps everyday Americans and provides them the ability to deduct their expenses from a natural disaster from their taxes.”

Molinaro and Ryan voted yes.

Oversight of Federal Prisons

The House on May 21 voted 392-2 to pass the Federal Prison Oversight Act (H.R. 3019), sponsored by Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., to adopt an oversight and prison inspections program at the federal Bureau of Prisons, including establishing a Justice Department ombudsman who will receive complaints and investigate complaints of wrongdoing at the prisons. McBath said the bill was a response to “alarming corruption, misconduct, and a lack of oversight in this country’s prison systems that has led to tragedy and loss for far too many families across this nation.”

Molinaro and Ryan voted yes.

Regulating Commodities

The House on May 22 voted 225-191 to pass an amendment sponsored by Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., to the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 4763). The amendment would state Congress’s intent that the bill not be used to authorize regulation of any non-digital commodities. Perry said of regulators such as the CFTC: “We cannot allow these agencies to take more and more power in the absence of express Congressional approval.” An opponent, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., claimed it would allow financial firms trading traditional physical commodities to evade regulation by linking them to digital commodities.

Molinaro voted yes. Ryan voted no.

Regulating Digital Currencies

The House on May 22 voted 279-136 to pass the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 4763), sponsored by Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa. The bill would direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to regulate as a commodity any digital asset that uses a decentralized blockchain ledger. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would regulate digital assets that have centralized blockchain ledgers. Thompson said the bill sought “to provide clear guidelines and robust protections, fostering a future where innovation can thrive responsibly within our borders.” An opponent, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said the bill’s weakened regulatory regime for digital assets would mean fewer protections for investors and less ability for government to punish fraud and other malfeasance.

Molinaro and Ryan voted yes.

Central Bank Digital Currency

The House on May 23 voted 216-192 to pass the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act (H.R. 5403), sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., to bar U.S. Federal Reserve banks from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) or selling products or services to individuals. Emmer cited the example of China using such a currency to surveil its citizens, and said a similar currency in the U.S. “could give the federal government the ability to surveil and restrict Americans’ transactions and monitor every aspect of their daily lives.” An opponent, Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., said such surveillance concerns did not apply to the U.S., and a digital dollar currency could yield “benefits including instant payment settlement, provide a medium for cross-border transactions, and for greater financial inclusion.”

Molinaro voted yes. Ryan voted no.

D.C. voter eligibility

The House on May 23 voted 262-143 to pass a bill (H.R. 192), sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, to repeal a 2023 Washington, D.C., law that allowed non-U.S. citizens living in the District to vote in D.C. elections. Pfluger said:…