Here’s how some major bills fared recently and how Colorado’s congressional members voted, as provided by Thomas’ Roll Call Report Syndicate. N/V means not voting.
HOUSE
2008 military budget
For: 397/Against: 27
Members passed a $646 billion fiscal 2008 military budget. A yes vote backed a bill authorizing $142 billion for ongoing war, raising military pay 3.5 percent and ordering a thorough evaluation of the military’s core mission. (HR 1585)
All Colorado representatives Yes
Interrogation videotapes
For: 199/Against: 229
Members defeated a measure requiring the U.S. military’s prisoner interrogations to be videotaped and ensuring that prisoners in U.S. custody have access to international humanitarian officials. A yes vote was to add the amendment to HR 1585 (above).
Diana DeGette (D) Yes
Doug Lamborn (R) No
Marilyn Musgrave (R) No
Ed Perlmutter (D) No
Mark Udall (D) Yes
John Salazar (D) Yes
Tom Tancredo (R) No
2008-12 budget
For: 214/Against: 209
Members approved the conference report on a five-year Democratic budget that for 2008 projects $2.9 trillion in spending, a $252 billion deficit, full funding of President Bush’s defense request and more than he seeks for domestic items.
All Colorado Democrats Yes
All Colorado Republicans No
Guantanamo Bay
For: 220/Against: 208
Members voted to require an administration plan for relocating all detainees from the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military prison. The document is to include data such as the number of prisoners being held without charges.
All Colorado Democrats Yes
All Colorado Republicans No
Community police grants
For: 381/Against: 34
Members voted to expand Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), a Democratic program from the 1990s that Republicans have scaled back in recent years. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 1700) funding COPS at nearly
$1 billion a year.
Diana DeGette (D) Yes
Doug Lamborn (R) No
Marilyn Musgrave (R) Yes
Ed Perlmutter (D) Yes
Mark Udall (D) Yes
John Salazar (D) Yes
Tom Tancredo (R) N/V
SENATE
Iraq funds cutoff
For: 29/Against: 67
Senators defeated a measure to start a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq within 120 days and stop war funding by March 31. The amendment was offered to a water projects bill (HR 1495) that later passed.
Both Colorado senators No
Benchmarks for Iraq
For: 52/Against: 44
Senators failed to get 60 votes needed to approve a proposed cutoff of non-military reconstruction funds to Iraq unless the government there meets certain political and security benchmarks. A yes vote backed the measure during debate on HR 1495 (above).
Both Colorado senators Yes
2008-12 budget
For: 52/Against: 40
Senators joined the House in approving a congressional budget plan for fiscal 2008-12. The measure would extend Bush administration tax cuts for middle- and low-income brackets but not for top marginal rates. A yes vote was to pass SCR 21.
Wayne Allard (R) No
Ken Salazar (D) Yes
Global climate change
For: 51/Against: 42
Senators failed to reach 60 votes needed to adopt an amendment requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to factor global climate change into its project analyses. A yes vote was to add the provision to a bill authorizing federal water projects (HR 1495).
Both Colorado senatorsNo
KEY VOTES AHEAD
This week, both chambers hope to clear for President Bush a revised $96 billion war appropriations bill. The House will debate lobbying rules, while the Senate will take up immigration reform and a no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
