text: Yes Dela Cruz and Inouye were strangely absent for this very seemingly important vote. Very strange as both Dela Cruz and Inouye
  were sponsors of  this bill.  Does that mean that what happened yesterday was a dog and pony show and they already knew
  what was going to happen.  This would seem to be the case as the bill passed easily even with Dela Cruz and Inouye not even
  showing up to vote for it. 
  This does line up with what I was told recently by someone on the inside at the legislature.  This person stated that these
  hearings are just for show and that the decision has already been made prior to any testimony and the hearing itself.