I thought I was fairly certain that my friend was working for a senator at the time, not a congressman, but I should check with her. And now that I think about it, I actually don't remember whether the final bill passed, but I do remember that it had the support of the relevant senator/congressman.

It also may have been in support of a committee vote, not a final vote. Again, I'd have to ask my friend.

Not to be too pedantic, but a senator is a member of Congress.