Bipartisan Majorities

Of the 80 key measures passed by the House since January, nearly 70 percent have been supported by more than 50 Republicans. Indeed, only 10 percent of these 80 measures have passed on party-lines, with the support of fewer than 10 Republicans.

The flurry of legislation before the August District Work Period was the product of large bipartisan majorities:

o On July 27, we passed and sent to the President the sweeping 9-11 Commission bill to protect America from terrorism by a bipartisan vote of 371 to 40, with 150 Republicans voting in favor. The President signed it into law on August 3.

o On July 31, we passed and sent to the President a sweeping and historic Lobby and Ethics Reform bill by a bipartisan vote of 411 to 8, with 190 Republicans voting in favor.

o On August 1, we passed the conference report on a major reinvestment in Flood Control and Waterway Infrastructure by a bipartisan vote of 381 to 40, with 155 Republicans voting in favor.

o On August 2, we passed and sent to the President a crucial Innovation Agenda, by a bipartisan vote of 367 to 57, with 143 Republicans voting in favor. The President will sign it into law on August 9.

o On August 4, we passed a wide-ranging Energy Independence initiative by a bipartisan vote of 241 to 172, with 26 Republicans voting in favor.

o On August 4, we also passed the Defense Department Appropriations bill, which rebuilds our military readiness and gives our troops a 3.5% pay raise, by a bipartisan vote of 395 to 13, with 187 Republicans voting in favor.

All 12 of the appropriations bills have passed the House with bipartisan support -- with an average of more than 50 Republican votes each.