Washington State Senate Democrats: Jeanne Kohl-Welles

In Senate, Dream Act remains stuff of dreams

Senate Democrats — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:54:00 GMT

An op-ed by Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles today in Crosscut.com makes the case for the Washington Dream Act legislation they sponsored and their efforts to pass it in the Senate.

"The Dream Act has strong support in both chambers of the Legislature. The House passed it with a strong bipartisan majority of 77-20, including votes from 22 Republicans,” Murray and Kohl-Welles write. “The bill has majority support in the Senate as well, where a solid bipartisan majority of senators say they will vote for it. There’s just one catch: Despite its support on both sides of the aisle, the Dream Act has been blocked in the Senate by the Republican majority.”

You can read the full op-ed here.

Sen. Kohl-Welles comments on need for special session

Senate Democrats — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:35:00 GMT

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, released this statement today regarding the need for the Legislature to return for a special legislative session:

"While I’m disappointed at the Legislature’s failure to finish its work during the regular legislative session, I can’t say I’m surprised. When the Republicans launched their takeover of the Senate back in January, we warned them that it would create division and install a culture of dysfunction that would make it more difficult to reach consensus.

“At the outset of the session, a time when lawmakers normally draft bills and get off to a quick start on legislation, Republicans instead jockeyed for office space and launched a witch hunt over information that was leaked regarding their lifting of sanctions on a member who had been abusive of staff. As a result of their focus on power at the expense of policy, we lost valuable days. Unfortunately, that focus continued throughout the session.

“I think they held more press conferences and fewer hearings than any caucus I’ve seen in my 22 years in the Legislature. The reality is that much of their efforts went into press conferences and trying to create an appearance of bipartisanship in contrast to the extremely conservative bills they rammed through committees on one or two-vote majorities. Several of their members even held a press conference to blame the need for a special session on anyone but themselves, when there were still three days to try to negotiate a deal on the budget and finish on time.

“At that press conference, Sen. Pam Roach and Sen. Don Benton were front and center as the face and the voice of their caucus. That dynamic spoke more loudly than any rhetoric as to where their caucus is coming from and where it wants to take our state — and why their caucus kept numerous truly bipartisan bills that had sufficient support to pass from making it to the Senate floor for a vote.

“When all was said and done, they contributed to the Legislature’s going into a special session and then turned around and said it was everyone else’s fault that we need a special session. They haven’t been in the majority for very long, and I think it’s taking them some time to learn that leadership means leading rather than finger-pointing. I’m hopeful they’ll figure that out in the coming weeks so we can finish the job our constituents sent us here to do.”

Kohl-Welles: ‘This bill is a license to discriminate’

Senate Democrats — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:07:54 GMT

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, released this statement today regarding Senate Bill 5927, which would allow businesses to deny service to gay and lesbian customers:

“I am stunned and appalled to see legislation in 2013 that would roll back decades of civil rights law in our state. I haven’t seen a law this backwards and mean-spirited since before the civil rights victories of the 1960s. This bill is a license to discriminate.

“Our state constitution has long held that all Washington residents must be treated equally and fairly. This bill endorses discrimination. I can’t imagine anything more counter to the values of Washingtonians.

“What’s next? Separate drinking fountains? Back-of-the-bus seating? No service in restaurants and diners? This bill is an affront to humanity and an embarrassment to our state.

“Throughout session, the Republican majority has insisted its focus was restricted to bills focused on jobs, education or the budget. This bill would not create jobs — if anything, it would kill jobs — it has nothing to do with education, and it would not affect the budget. All it does is single out a select group of Washingtonians for discrimination.”

Sen. Kohl-Welles' enewsletter update 4/24/2013

Senate Democrats — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:24:00 GMT

Dear Neighbors,

We've hit the home stretch of the legislative session. Wednesday of last week was the last day the Senate could consider bills that passed the House, and vice versa. This means that the only bills that can be considered during the final days of the session, which must end on April 28 or sooner, are the operating, capital and transportation budgets and fiscal bills necessary to implement them.

Meanwhile, bills that have passed both chambers in the same form have gone to the governor to be signed into law. Bills that passed one chamber but were amended prior to passage by the other chamber go back to the chamber of origin for reconsideration; if neither chamber agrees to accept the other chamber’s final version, then the bills must be reconciled in meetings of concurrence between members of both chambers before the bills can be sent to the governor.

This session, eight of my bills have either been signed into law, await the governor’s signature, or await reconciliation. Here are updates on them.

More progress in the battle against human trafficking

My repeated efforts to crack down on human trafficking paid off last week when Gov. Jay Inslee signed two of those bills into law.

The first measure, Senate Bill 5488, imposes a $5,000 fine on top of existing penalties for using online ads to facilitate the commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The bill defines an internet advertisement as a statement in electronic media that would be understood by a reasonable person to be an implicit or explicit offer for sexual contact or sexual intercourse in exchange for something of value.

The second measure, SB 5563, requires that new teachers receive training on how to recognize and prevent commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.

SB 5488 follows up on my efforts to curtail sex trafficking of minors via online media. I’d sponsored legislation in the 2012 session that targeted Backpage.com and similar online outlets whose adult escort ads have been linked repeatedly to trafficking in sex with minors. However, that law, which created a new crime of advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors, was struck down by a federal judge who ruled it violated the Federal Communications Decency Act of 1996 because it targeted the online service provider rather than those using the service. My bill this year, SB 5488, shifts the focus to the user and also repeals SB 6251. The $5,000 penalties imposed by SB 5488 will be dedicated to the state’s prostitution prevention and intervention account.

SB 5563 adds the issues of commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of minors to existing training of applicants for teacher certification. In addition, the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs will update existing educational materials available across the state to inform parents and other community members about how to prevent children from being recruited into sex trafficking/commercial sexual exploitation. School employees will be trained in reporting obligations for student physical abuse or sexual misconduct victimization during their orientation training and then every three years thereafter.

A third bill of mine, SB 5308, will create a statewide coordinating committee to recommend ways to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. This new Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee would examine laws and practices of local and regional entities to address sexually exploited children and would make recommendations for statewide laws and practices. This measure has passed both chambers unanimously and awaits only the governor’s signature to become law.

As you can see, these bills address human trafficking on multiple fronts. The first provides a means of prosecuting perpetrators, while the second enables schools to identify and help potential victims. The third will apply best practices from various organizations to communities across the state.

While I am pleased with the passage of these laws and the important and critical progress they make, they are far from my final efforts in the various areas of human trafficking. Human trafficking occurs on a wide range of fronts, and I will continue to work to shut those fronts down, one by one, with every legislative means at my disposal.

Gender neutrality, college placement measures signed into law

Two other bills of mine, SB 5077 and SB 5712, have also been signed by the governor.

SB 5077 directs the state to replace outdated terms in state statutes with gender-neutral language. Gender-neutral language has been required for all laws since 1983; this bill directs the state Code Reviser’s Office to update laws written prior to 1983 during the legislative interim when there’s spare time to work on the project. The changes replace traditional terms like “fisherman” with “fisher” or “gripman” with “grip operator.”

SB 5712 directs the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to encourage colleges to use multiple measures, including placement tests, the SAT, high school transcripts, college transcripts and initial class performance, to determine whether students must enroll in a precollege course that does not qualify for credit. More and more entering students — high school graduates as well as older returning adults — need remedial classes. As these are costly in time and tuition without providing credit, students as well as colleges can benefit through other options, including students being able to get brush-up tutoring, self-paced progression, etc. SB 5712 also requires colleges to include options in their catalogues and admission and registration materials. Mental health, farmers market bills have passed the full Legislature Two more bills of mine have been passed by both chambers and need only the governor’s signature to become law.

Senate Bill 5153 will enable people with severe mental health needs to relocate to support facilities located nearer to family members or close friends who can provide critical emotional support. The bill directs the Department of Social and Health Services to propose rules and procedures to facilitate transfers of clients between regional support networks while retaining authority for resolving disputes. The department would work collaboratively with stakeholders, including representatives of consumers and families, in developing the rules and procedures by Dec. 1, 2013.

The access to emotional support is not only positive for the recipients, it reduces costs to the state because the support they receive as a result of the relocation typically helps them return to full mental health more quickly. In addition, if a family member needs to relocate to another part of the state, the client can be relocated within the support network to remain geographically near to family members.

SB 5674 will enable allow up to three wineries or microbreweries per day to offer free samples at individual farmers markets across the state. The samples must be no more than two ounces, with wineries and microbreweries limited to serving no more than six ounces of samples per customer per day at a single farmers market. Those who serve the samples must possess a class 12 or 13 server permit. Food must also be provided for sampling customers.

Bill to require victim notification requires reconciliation

My remaining bill passed both chambers but was amended in the House, so it must be reconciled between the Senate and House before it can go to the governor.

SB 5221 would improve public safety by requiring notification to the appropriate prosecutor and defense attorney when a facility determines not to file a civil commitment petition for a person whose felony or serious non-felony charges were dismissed due to incompetency to stand trial.

Republican majority blocks efforts to revive Reproductive Parity Act, Dream Act

Twice in the past two weeks, the Republican majority blocked efforts by Democrats to vote on two bills that have support from a majority of members of the Senate: the Washington Dream Act and the Reproductive Parity Act.

The Reproductive Parity Act, HB 1044, would move our state in the opposite direction of 21 states that have banned abortion coverage in their insurance markets. The act would uphold our state’s long tradition of allowing women — not insurance companies — to make their own health care choices and to ensure that the choices remain based on reasons of health and not economics.

The Washington Dream Act, HB 1817, would allow deserving Washington students to pursue their full potential in education and in life. The act would open up state financial aid to young dreamers who are currently penalized simply because their parents are undocumented immigrants. To qualify, students must have graduated from a Washington state high school and have been state residents for at least three years.

These bills are supported by a majority of senators, but the Republican majority in the Senate blocked them repeatedly, first by refusing to give the Senate versions of the bills so much as a hearing and then by voting in lockstep against bringing the House versions to the Senate floor for a vote — even though both bills passed the House with bipartisan support.

Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom, a Democrat who cut a deal this year to caucus with Republicans instead of his own caucus, has insisted repeatedly that he supports the Reproductive Parity Act — and then voted against every effort to pass the bill.

Most recently, Sen. Tom stated publicly that the only way either of these bills could get to the floor for a vote were through a legislative maneuver known as the Ninth Order — and then voted in lockstep with his caucus to block us from going to the Ninth Order to do so.

On a different day, we pressed ahead and tried to amend the Reproductive Parity Act into a related health bill on the floor, only to be blocked once again by Sen. Tom and his caucus again voting in lockstep against our motion.

Also last week, Sen. Tom went so far as to try to blame the failure of the Dream Act on my declining his offer to make me chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. If I had agreed to chair the committee, he said, I could have moved the Dream Act out of committee so that it could have received a vote on the Senate floor. He also asserted I hadn’t accepted the chairmanship as I viewed the Higher Ed Committee as being a lesser or unimportant committee. I did not say that nor would I. I consider that committee so important that I chose to chair it in the past and asked to be assigned to it again this year.

Sen. Tom’s characterization misrepresented the facts, which I disputed in a segment of “The Impact” on TVW, and he was forced to remove his claims from his website after our caucus leader, Sen. Ed Murray, formally protested.

For one thing, my chairing that committee in no way would have ensured the ability to vote it out of committee; the Republican majority gave its caucus the majority of seats on each committee and thus the ability to block any legislation it didn’t like. Given that Sen. Tom has voted to block the Dream Act at every chance, it’s silly to think he would have voted to pass it out of committee.

For another, any bill passed out of committee must then be passed out of Rules to get to the floor. Sen. Tom gave his caucus an even larger majority on the Rules Committee than on the other committees, ensuring their ability to block any bills they oppose from getting to the floor. So whether a committee moves a bill to Rules is a moot point if Sen. Tom opposes it, and his votes on these bills have been consistent in their opposition.

The actions of Sen. Tom and his caucus blatantly contradict Sen. Tom’s insistence throughout the legislative session that the Republican majority caucus he leads would promote bipartisanship and collaboration. I’m dismayed by the majority caucus’ determination to keep these bills from receiving up or down votes. The people of Washington deserve better and I will continue fighting for these important protections for health and equality.

Local control of speed limits will result in safer streets for pedestrians

HB 1045, the Safe Streets bill, the final bill to pass the Senate before last Wednesday’s cut-off deadline, would cut the red tape for cities seeking to lower speed limits on neighborhood streets, saving money – and, more importantly, lives.

The bill would not directly change any speed limits but would allow cities and towns to lower speed limits on side streets – not major commercial streets or highways – without the need for costly engineering studies. Right now, cities and counties must pay for an engineering report to raise or lower a speed limit. An engineering report would still be required to raise a speed limit, to ensure that the road could handle the higher speed. Since a road can always handle a lower speed, the engineering report would no longer be necessary to lower a speed limit. The reduction in red tape and expenses for local governments would improve local control over speed limits and increase governmental efficiency.

Bipartisan group urges tougher DUI laws

In the wake of several tragic and high-profile DUI collisions in the past few days, Gov. Inslee and a bipartisan group of legislators have proposed new, tougher DUI legislation to crack down on repeat offenders.

The new legislation would mandate an arrest on a first offense and a choice of six months jail time or enrollment in a new Sobriety 24/7 program on second offense. The program, which was implemented in South Dakota, provides stricter accountability and substance abuse support that has proven to reduce recidivism. Offenders would be sentenced to one year in jail for a third offense.

Additional provisions include installation of ignition interlock devices on all DUI offender vehicles, authorization to establish DUI courts in local municipalities, and increased funding for the state’s Target Zero program. While I have concerns with some of it and will be offering amendments, I believe it’s important we act.

It’s unfortunate that it sometimes takes a tragedy to clear the way for good legislation to move forward, but this will be a real step to crack down on repeat DUI offenders and reduce the incidence of the tragic and preventable crime. This positive step forward will make our streets safer and will save lives.

Bill to ban some toxic flame retardants passes Senate

HB 1294, a bill that would ban the use of toxic flame retardants in children’s products and upholstered furniture, also passed last Wednesday in the Senate. Two chemicals, TCEP and TDCPP, more commonly identified as “Tris,” are used as flame retardants in foam found in everyday products such as couches, nursing pillows, changing pads, car seats, strollers and children’s nap mats.

The bill that passed the Senate adopted an amendment that strips the bill down to banning just the two chemicals; the House-approved legislation would prohibit other flame retardant chemicals in children’s products listed on the state’s list of chemicals of high concern for the health of children.

Toxic chemicals in the foam of common household products break down over time and are released as dust particles which are then ingested. Young children and babies are especially at risk of overexposure to these chemicals. Science has proven that toxic flame retardant chemicals are ineffective in fire retardation and can make the smoke from fires more lethal to firefighters, first responders and victims. These chemicals have been proven to cause cancer, hormone defects, growth problems and brain damage.

With the Senate passage of this bill in amended form, the bill has gone back to the House where a majority will likely request that the Senate reconsider its position and pass the full legislation as it came out of the House. Our children and families deserve the right to be confident that their children’s products are safe and toxic free.

Revenue Dept. honored for helping small businesses file taxes more efficiently

Our state Department of Revenue has been recognized nationally by the Federation of Tax Administrators for its efforts to help businesses easily file and pay taxes accurately. The federation named Washington the winner of its 2013 FTA Award for Outstanding Compliance Program for having developed an iPhone and Android app to help taxpayers, especially small businesses, accurately determine the right sales tax rates to charge customers.

Although the last day of the 2013 legislative session is this coming Sunday, I think it’s very likely we’ll not have reached agreement on the budgets and thus would be called back into a special session by Gov. Inslee. Whether it takes place immediately or after a break remains to be decided.

More soon,

Jeanne

Legislature passes Kohl-Welles’ child sexual exploitation bill

Senate Democrats — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:20:00 GMT

A statewide coordinating committee will be created to recommend ways to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children under legislation passed unanimously today by the state Senate.

Senate Bill 5308, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, had already passed the Senate unanimously once, but because it was amended in the House — where it also passed unanimously — the Senate was required to vote on the amended version.

SB 5308 will establish the Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Statewide Coordinating Committee to examine laws and practices of local and regional entities to address sexually exploited children and make recommendations for statewide laws and practices.

“This committee will identify best practices from all over Washington and apply them in a comprehensive, coordinated strategy,” Kohl-Welles said. “Children in communities across our state will be the better for what this committee develops.”

The legislation was recommended by the Center for Children & Youth Justice as part of its Model Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children. The Center’s founder, president and CEO, retired Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge, testified in support of the bill. Under SB 5308, the committee will be convened by the state attorney general and will include legislators, representatives from state and local agencies, and criminal justice entities.

The committee’s primary task will be to oversee and review the implementation of the Washington State Model Protocol at pilot sites throughout the state. The committee will also examine reports and data from local and regional entities regarding the incidence of commercially sexually exploited children in their areas; review recommendations from local and regional entities for improving the effectiveness of local practices; and make recommendations for data collection and strategic local investments to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The legislation is one of several sponsored this session by Kohl-Welles to target different aspects of human trafficking and continues her decade-long effort to eradicate such activity. Already signed into law are SB 5488, which imposes a $5,000 fine on top of existing penalties for using online ads to facilitate the commercial sexual abuse of a minor, and SB 5563, which requires that new teachers receive training on how to recognize and prevent commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.

Wine and beer samples to be allowed at farmers markets

Senate Democrats — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:52:00 GMT

Wineries and microbreweries will be able to offer samples at farmers markets across the state, under legislation passed today by the Senate.

"This provides a wonderful opportunity for our local vintners and brewers to put their products before a wider audience,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, the sponsor of Senate Bill 5674. “This is good for our local farmers markets, good for consumers of wine and microbrews, good for our growing wine and beer industries, and good for our state economy.”

SB 5674 passed the Senate on a 40-8 vote today after having been amended and passed in the House. It now goes to Gov. Inslee to be signed into law.

“Farmers markets are great for helping local farmers and businesses sell their goods and are an opportunity for consumers to get access to fresh and high-quality food. I’m excited about what farmers markets across this state are doing,” said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who co-sponsored the bill. “This bill will expand the services that farmers markets can provide and make them more viable as a way for brewers and vintners to sell their goods.”

The measure enables three wineries or microbreweries per day to offer samples at a farmers market. Samples must be two ounces or less, with wineries and microbreweries limited to serving no more than two ounces of samples per customer per day. Those who serve the samples must possess a class 12 or 13 server permit. Food must also be provided for sampling customers.

Kohl-Welles’ bill to help mentally ill recover passes Legislature

Senate Democrats — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

People with severe mental health needs will be able to relocate to support facilities located nearer to family members or close friends who can provide critical emotional support, under legislation passed unanimously today by the state Legislature.

Senate Bill 5153, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, needs only the governor’s signature to become law after unanimously passing the Senate today. The bill had already passed the Senate unanimously earlier in session, but because it was amended in the House — where it also passed unanimously — the Senate was required to approve the amended version before it could be sent to the governor.

SB 5153 directs the state Department of Social and Health Services to propose rules and procedures to facilitate transfers of clients between regional support networks while retaining authority for resolving disputes. The department would work collaboratively with stakeholders, including representatives of consumers and families, in developing the rules and procedures by Dec. 1, 2013.

“Emotional support can make a critical difference for those with severe mental health needs,” Kohl-Welles said. “When they have close family or friends nearby who can visit, it can help and accelerate their return to full mental health.”

Kohl-Welles was made aware of the problem by a Seattle family who had a relative in a facility on the other side of the state. The woman had severe needs and was a suicide risk, but the distance made it difficult for the family to provide the emotional support she needed. Kohl-Welles’ office was ultimately able to work with family members and state agencies to enable the woman’s transfer to a facility nearer the family members; her bill would put in place guidelines to make that process more readily available.

In addition, if a key family member needs to relocate to another part of the state, the client can be relocated within the support network to remain geographically near to family members, Kohl-Welles said.

Kohl-Welles decries GOP blocking of Dream Act

Senate Democrats — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 21:56:00 GMT

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles appeared on "The Impact” this week on TVW to discuss the Republican majority’s actions to repeatedly block Democrats’ efforts to bring the Washington Dream Act to the Senate floor for a vote.

Governor signs two Kohl-Welles anti-human trafficking bills into law

Senate Democrats — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:42:14 GMT

Two key blows against human trafficking were struck today when Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law two bills sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle.

The second measure, SB 5563, requires that new teachers receive training on how to recognize and prevent commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of minors.

“Our objective today is two-fold, to provide both a tool for prosecuting criminals and a tool for identifying and helping potential victims,” Kohl-Welles said. “These bills are not the first to take on trafficking and they will not be the last, but they represent important and critical steps forward.”

SB 5488 continues longstanding efforts by Kohl-Welles to crack down on sex trafficking of minors via online media. Legislation she sponsored last session that passed the Legislature unanimously targeted Backpage.com and similar online outlets whose adult escort ads have been linked repeatedly to trafficking in sex with minors. However, SB 6251, which created a new crime of advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors, was struck down by a federal judge who ruled it violated the Federal Communications Decency Act of 1996 because it targeted the online service provider rather than those using the service. SB 5488 shifts the focus to the user and also repeals SB 6251. The $5,000 penalties imposed by SB 5488 will be dedicated to the state’s prostitution prevention and intervention account.

“We know that sex traffickers are conducting business through online advertising vehicles such as Backpage.com and similar outlets,” Kohl-Welles said. “They managed to keep that loophole open last year, but this year we’re closing it.”

Kohl-Welles other measure, SB 5563, adds the issues of commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of minors to existing training of applicants for teacher certification. In addition, the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs would update existing educational materials available across the state to inform parents and other community members about how to prevent children from being recruited into sex trafficking/commercial sexual exploitation. School employees would be trained in reporting obligations for student physical abuse or sexual misconduct victimization during their orientation training and then every three years thereafter.

“Early identification can pay off in a lifetime of good outcomes,” Kohl-Welles said. “Every child we can identify who is in trouble and needs help is a child who can have a chance at a far better life.”

Kohl-Welles questions claims of support for Dream Act, Reproductive Parity Act

Senate Democrats — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 01:59:21 GMT

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, released the following statement today on the vote by the full Republican majority caucus to block the full Senate from being allowed to vote on House Bill 1817, The Washington Dream Act, and HB 1044, the Reproductive Parity Act. A majority of senators, including several in the Republican majority, had publicly or privately claimed to support both bills prior to the vote.

“I fail to understand how someone can claim to support a bill and then vote to prevent it from coming to a vote. Either you’re for it or you’re against it. You can’t be both.

“These bills would dramatically impact the lives of people across our state. One would give deserving students the opportunity to excel and expand their education and become more successful neighbors and family members. The other would ensure that women, and not politicians or corporate administrators, retain full choice over reproductive decisions affecting them and their families.

“When they took power, the leaders of the Republican majority said their agenda was to support bills with solid bipartisan support. Throughout the legislative session, they said time and again that their methods would promote collaboration and bipartisanship. But time and again, reality has intruded on their rhetoric.

“Today, given the chance to act on behalf of their constituents, the Republican majority chose to vote in partisan lockstep on bills that everyone knows have bipartisan support. A majority of the Senate is on record as supporting these bills.

“The Dream Act passed the House on a 77-20 vote with 22 Republicans voting yes. That’s bipartisanship. The Reproductive Parity Act passed the House on a 53-43 vote that saw members of both sides crossed the aisle for and against. That’s bipartisanship. Here in the Senate, the RPA had the public support of at least 25 senators, including Sens. Rodney Tom and Steve Litzow. Yet every member of the majority caucus voted to keep both bills from coming to a vote. I’m not sure what you’d call that, but you sure wouldn’t call it bipartisanship.”