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)
MENTAL-HEALTH COVERAGE
For: 268/Against: 148 Members approved a bill requiring the same benefits for mental and physical illness in group plans that cover mental illness. The bill exempts firms with fewer than 51 workers, covers substance abuse and specifies the mental ailments to be covered. A yes vote was to pass HR 1424.
Voting yes: All Colorado Democrats
Voting no: Lamborn, Tancredo
Not voting: Musgrave
GOP INSURANCE PLAN
For: 196/Against: 221 Members rejected a GOP bid to replace HR 1424 (above) with a milder Senate bill that was backed by President Bush. A yes vote supported a mental-health parity bill that provided discretion rather than mandates for determining the mental ailments to be insured.
Voting yes: All Colorado Republicans
Voting no: All Colorado Democrats
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R) Ken Salazar (D)
SAFETY COMMISSION OVERHAUL
For: 79/Against: 13 Senators approved a bill to expand Consumer Product Safety Commission powers and more than double the agency’s budget by 2015. A yes vote was to pass a bill (S 2663) to ban lead from toys and enable state attorneys general to block the sale of unsafe goods.
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
ATTORNEY’S FEES DISPUTE
For: 56/Against: 39 Senators voted to table (kill) an amendment to S 2663 (above) giving judges discretion to require the losing side to pay legal fees in product-safety actions brought by state attorneys general. A yes vote was to kill the Republican- authored amendment.
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
CONTINGENCY FEE BAN
For: 51/Against: 45 Senators voted to table (kill) an amendment that sought to bar contingency fees for private attorneys hired to assist state attorneys general in product-safety litigation. A yes vote opposed the Republican bid to amend a pending product-safety measure (S 2663).
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
KEY VOTES AHEAD
This week, both chambers will debate the fiscal 2009 budget and possibly a renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The House will take up a bill on the U.S. housing crisis. Congress begins a two-week recess at week’s end.
