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 DEFENSE BUDGET
For: 369/Against: 46 Members approved a $649 billion defense budget for fiscal 2008. The bill replaces a version vetoed by President Bush over language subjecting today’s Iraqi government to suits based on acts by Saddam Hussein. A yes vote was to send HR 4986 to the Senate.
Voting yes: All Colorado representatives voted yes.
MINING SAFETY
For: 214/Against: 199 Members approved a bill to impose new health and safety rules on U.S. mine operators. The bill also would launch a study into whether to begin federal licensing of mines and set the stage for the possible drug and alcohol testing of miners. A yes vote backed HR 2768.
Voting yes: DeGette
Voting no: Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Tancredo, Perl mutterMINERS’ DRUG TESTING
For: 197/Against: 217 Members defeated a GOP bid for mandatory drug and alcohol testing of miners that would start within 180 days of enactment of HR 2768 (above). This went beyond the bill’s ordering a study that could lead to such testing. A yes vote backed the GOP bid.
Voting yes: Musgrave, Lamborn
Voting no: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Tancredo, Perlmutter
REPUBLICAN MINING BILL
For: 188/Against: 229 Members rejected a GOP attempt to strip HR 2768 (above) of its sweeping new regulations on the U.S. mining industry. A yes vote backed a measure that also sought to require studies to improve the safety of new deep- mining and pillar-removal techniques.
Voting yes: Musgrave, Lamborn, Tancredo
Voting no: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Perlmutter
PUBLIC HOUSING
For: 271/Against: 130 Members voted to extend the HOPE VI public housing program through 2015 at a cost of $800 million annually. The program funds efforts by local housing authorities such as rehabilitating units and helping tenants move to private housing. A yes vote backed HR 3524.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn, Tancredo
HOUSING DEMOLITION
For: 186/Against: 221 Members refused to strip HR 3524 (above) of its requirement that each demolished unit of public housing be replaced by one new unit. A yes vote backed an amendment that sought to remove the bill’s ban on demolition-only grants under the HOPE VI program.
Voting yes: All Colo. Republicans
Voting no: All Colo. Democrats
KEY VOTES AHEAD
This week, the House will vote on President Bush’s veto of a bill expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), while the Senate will debate changes in the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
