Colorado votes in Congress
Here’s how some major bills fared recently in Congress and how Colorado’s congressional members voted, as provided by Thomas’ Roll Call Report Syndicate. (N/V means not voting).
HOUSE
Soldiers’ treatment
For: 426/Against: 0
Members voted to require the military to improve its care of the wounded by upgrading outpatient treatment, cutting red tape and easing patients’ transition from Pentagon control to the Department of Veterans Affairs. A yes vote was to pass HR 1538.
All Colorado lawmakers Yes
Transportation security
For: 299/Against: 124
Members passed a bill authorizing $7.3 billion over four years mainly for grants to protect mass transit and inner city rail and bus systems from terrorist attacks. A yes vote backed a bill (HR 1401) that, in part, requires safer rail shipments of lethal chemicals.
All Colorado Democrats Yes
All Colorado Republicans No
Amtrak security
For: 130/Against: 299
Members refused to prevent funds in HR 1401 (above) from being spent on Amtrak’s 10 most unprofitable routes. The amendment allowed Amtrak to reallocate the funds. A yes vote backed the measure over arguments it would weaken the entire rail passenger system.
Diana DeGette (D) No
Doug Lamborn (R) Yes
Marilyn Musgrave (R) Yes
Ed Perlmutter (D) Yes
Mark Udall (D) No
John Salazar (D) No
Tom Tancredo (R) Yes
Inner city bus grants
For: 98/Against: 332
Members refused to strip HR 1401 (above) of its $87 million in security grants for inner city bus firms. A yes vote backed the amendment despite arguments that private bus companies are no less entitled than private U.S. airlines to federal security aid.
All Colorado Republicans Yes
All Colorado Democrats No
2008-2012 federal budget
For: 216/Against: 210
Members approved a five-year Democratic budget that for 2008 projects $2.9 trillion in spending, a $213 billion deficit, increased domestic spending and full funding of President Bush’s defense budget. A yes vote backed the budget blueprint (HCR 99).
All Colorado Democrats Yes
All Colorado Republicans No
Republican budget
For: 160/Against: 268
Members defeated a GOP budget alternative that sought to exempt President Bush’s tax cuts from the Democrats’ pay-as-you-
go rule. Such a waiver would set the stage for renewing Bush’s cuts after 2010. A yes vote backed the GOP budget plan. (HCR 99)
All Colorado Republicans Yes
All Colorado Democrats No
U.S. attorneys dispute
For: 329/Against: 78
Members repealed a USA Patriot Act provision used by the administration to appoint U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation. A yes vote was to close a loophole that drew scrutiny during the ongoing dispute over the administration’s firing of U.S. attorneys. (HR 580)
Diana DeGette (D) Yes
Doug Lamborn (R) No
Marilyn Musgrave (R) No
Ed Perlmutter (D) Yes
Mark Udall (D) Yes
John Salazar (D) Yes
Tom Tancredo (R) Yes
SENATE
War funding, withdrawal
For: 51/Against: 47
Senators voted to appropriate $96 billion for war in Iraq and Afghanistan over six months, $4.3 billion for veterans’ care and $19 billion-plus for programs at home. A yes vote backed a bill (HR 1591) to start U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq within four months.
Wayne Allard (R) No
Ken Salazar (D) Yes
Iraq withdrawal mandate
For: 48/Against: 50
Senators refused to strip HR 1591 (above) of a mandate that the administration begin withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq within four months of enactment, with a goal of removing all but a residual force by March 31, 2008. A yes vote opposed withdrawal.
Wayne Allard (R) Yes
Ken Salazar (D) No
Party convention security
For: 45/Against: 51
Senators refused to strip an emergency war bill (HR 1591) of $100 million for security at presidential nominating conventions, to be held next year in Denver for Democrats and Minneapolis for Republicans. A yes vote was to remove the $100 million.
Wayne Allard (R) No
Ken Salazar (D) No
Farm aid dispute
For: 23/Against: 74
Senators refused to strip HR 1591 (above) of non-emergency farm outlays while keeping $3.7 billion in the bill for emergency crop and livestock aid. The measure targeted items that critics said could wait until the normal budget cycle. A yes vote backed the amendment.
Wayne Allard (R) No
Ken Salazar (D) No
KEY VOTES AHEAD
The Senate is in Easter-Passover recess until April 11 and the House until April 16. The Senate will return to debate stem-cell research funding.
