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.
HOUSE
The Colorado delegation District 1: Diana DeGette (D) District 2: Mark Udall (D) District 3: John Salazar (D) District 4: Marilyn Musgrave (R) District 5: Doug Lamborn (R) District 6: Tom Tancredo (R) District 7: Ed Perlmutter (D)
2008 INTELLIGENCE BUDGET
For: 222/Against: 199 Members approved the conference report on an estimated $48 billion 2008 budget for U.S. intelligence agencies. A yes vote was to pass a bill requiring civilian as well as military interrogators to obey the Army Field Manual’s ban on prisoner torture (HR 2082)
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans
2008 DEFENSE BUDGET
For: 370/Against: 49 Members approved the conference report on a bill (HR 1585) authorizing a $694 billion military budget for fiscal 2008, including nearly $190 billion for continued war in Iraq and Afghanistan. A yes vote was to pass a bill granting a 3.5 percent military pay raise.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Perlmutter
Not voting: Tancredo
TERRORISM INSURANCE
For: 303/Against: 116 Members approved a seven-year renewal of a program of taxpayer backing to help insurers meet the costs of any future terrorist attacks. The Treasury backstop would be triggered by an attack inflicting at least $50 million in damage. A yes vote backed HR 4299.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Perlmutter
Voting no: Musgrave, Lamborn
Not voting: Tancredo
ONE-YEAR TAX RELIEF
For: 226/Against: 193 Members approved a bill to exempt 21 million middle-income households from the alternative minimum tax in 2007. The $50 billion cost would be offset by steps such as limiting hedge-fund managers’ deferral of taxes on offshore income. A yes vote was to pass HR 4351.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Perlmutter
Voting no: Musgrave, Lamborn
Not voting: Tancredo
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R); Ken Salazar (D)
NEW ENERGY POLICIES
For: 86/Against: 8 Senators approved a bill that would raise vehicle mileage requirements by 40 percent by 2020, boost residential and industrial energy-efficiency standards and increase U.S. biofuels production sevenfold by 2020. A yes vote was to send the bill to the House. (HR 6)
Voting yes: Allard, Salazar
2008 DEFENSE BUDGET
For: 90/Against: 3 Senators voted to send President Bush the conference report on a bill (HR 1585) that authorizes a $694 billion military budget in fiscal 2008, including $190 billion for continued war in Iraq and Afghanistan. A yes vote was to pass the 2008 defense budget.
Voting yes: Allard, Salazar
FIVE-YEAR FARM BILL
For: 79/Against: 14 Senators approved a five-year, $288 billion bill that extends the current system of subsidies for growers of major crops such as cotton, corn, rice, wheat and soybeans, renews conservation programs and funds food and nutrition programs. A yes vote backed HR 2419.
Voting yes: Allard, Salazar
FARM SUBSIDIES’ REPEAL
For: 37/Against: 58 Senators rejected a bid to replace farm subsidies with government- paid insurance that would guarantee farmers 85 percent of expected crop revenue or 80 percent of their income from previous years. A yes vote was to remove farm subsidies from HR 2419.
Voting yes: Allard
Voting no: Salazar
FARM-SUBSIDY CAPS
For: 56/Against: 43 Senators failed, 56-43, to reach 60 votes for advancing an amendment to limit farm payments to $250,000 per farm per year and restrict them to those who actively work their property. A yes vote was to add the restrictions to a new, five-year farm bill (HR 2419, above).
Voting yes: Allard
Voting no: Salazar
KEY VOTES AHEAD
The House will take up bills on energy, terrorism-risk insurance, the alternative minimum tax and fiscal 2008 appropriations. The Senate will debate the same budget bill, the 2008 intelligence budget and the AMT bill. Congress hopes to adjourn for the year by week’s end.
