News · Press Release

Young’s Week in Washington: Voted Against Women’s Health, DREAMers & Protecting our Troops from Republican Dysfunction

TGIF. Is what Congressman Young is thinking today as he heads home to Iowa’s 3rd District after a long week of casting controversial votes. Unfortunately for Young, he is still faced with the irony of delivering a commencement speech tomorrow after supporting deep cuts to the aid that benefits students at Iowa Western Community College.

Young goes into his commencement speech having spent this week:

  • Voting for a measure that invades women’s health decisions;
  • Failing to ensure that the health of the woman is accounted for in this extreme anti-choice bill;
  • Siding with immigration hardliners by voting against allowing DREAMers to potentially attain citizenship through serving in our nation’s military; and
  • Refusing to ensure that service members continue to be paid in the event that Republicans cause another reckless government shutdown.

“How Congressman Young failed his constituents this week in Congress – let me count the ways,” said Matt Thornton of the DCCC. “He had numerous opportunities this week to protect women’s health, honor the contributions DREAMers have made to our nation, and ensure our troops get paid when Republicans cause another government shutdown. Instead, he put partisan politics ahead of hardworking Iowans.”

BACKGROUND

Young Voted To Strip Language Encouraging Defense Department To Allow DREAMers To Serve In Uniform. In May 2015, Young voted to strip out an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that “would encourage the Pentagon to consider allowing immigrants brought to the country as children to [serve in the military].” [HR 1735, Vote #229, 5/14/15; NPR, 5/13/15]

FLASHBACK:

Young Voted For Amendment To End Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals. In January 2015, Young voted for an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security funding bill that would end a program to suspend the deportation of DREAMers. “A second amendment would halt the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA), which lifts deportation for some illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children.” The amendment was adopted 218 to 209. [HR 240, Vote #30, 1/14/15; The Hill 1/14/15]

Young Voted To Restrict A Woman’s Right To Choose After 20 Weeks, And Require 48-Hour Waiting Period For Rape Survivors.  In May 2015, Young voted for “a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a party-line vote on Wednesday.” According to The Hill, “But the bill did not change a provision that allows victims of incest to receive an abortion only if they are under 18 years old … The new version of the House bill also includes a two-day waiting period for rape victims. Doctors must also ensure that victims have received medical treatment or counseling during that time.” [HR 36, Vote #223, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/11/15]

Young Voted Against Adding Exception To Anti-Choice Bill To Protect The Health Of The Woman. “U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley’s attempt to amend a bill calling for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy was defeated Wednesday, and the House went on to pass the ban. The Westlake Village Democrat’s motion and amendment would have added language to the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that would have permitted abortions after 20 weeks if a woman’s health were at risk. It was defeated on a mostly party-line 181-246 vote.” [H.R. 36, Vote #222, 5/13/15; Ventura County Star, 5/13/15]

Young Voted To Block An Amendment To Ensure A Pay Raise & Ensure Servicemembers Are Paid In Event Of Government Shutdown. In May 2015, Young voted against a motion to recommit that would ensure a 2.3% pay increase for fiscal year 2016 for servicemembers and would ensure that servicemembers are paid in the event of a government shutdown. [HR 1735, Vote #238, 5/15/15]





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