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)
INTELLIGENCE, TORTURE VETO
For: 225/Against: 188 Members failed to reach a two-thirds majority for overriding President Bush’s veto of a 2008 intelligence budget that requires the CIA to obey the Army Field Manual’s ban on prisoner torture. Bush said the CIA uses legal interrogations. A yes vote was to enact HR 2082.
Voting yes: All Colorado Democrats
Voting no: Musgrave, Lamborn
Not voting: Tancredo
NEW SPY BILL
For: 213/Against: 197 Members extended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through 2009. The bill (HR 3773) requires warrants for spying on Americans but not for foreign spying. A yes vote backed a bill that entitles telecom firms to secret court hearings to defend against lawsuits.
Voting yes: All Colorado Democrats
Voting no: Lamborn
Not voting: Musgrave, Tancredo
2009-13 BUDGET
For: 212/Against: 207 Members passed a five-year Democratic budget (HCR 312) that for 2009 projects $3.06 trillion in spending, a $340.4 billion deficit and $216.8 billion in interest on U.S. debt. A yes vote backed a budget that would allow President Bush’s top-bracket tax cuts to expire.
Voting yes: All Colorado Democrats
Voting no: Musgrave, Lamborn
Not voting: Tancredo
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R) Ken Salazar (D)
BAN ON EARMARKS
For: 29/Against: 71 Senators failed to ban earmarks from the fiscal 2009 budget (SCR 70). A yes vote was to impose a one-year ban on earmarks without review, to benefit constituents or campaign donors.
Voting yes: Allard
Voting no: Salazar
2009-13 BUDGET
For: 51/Against: 44 Senators passed a U.S. budget for 2009 to 2013 that fully funds President Bush’s defense and security requests, exceeds his domestic spending requests and allows his tax cuts for top-bracket taxpayers to expire in 2011. A yes vote was to approve the budget plan (SCR 70).
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUTS
For: 99/Against: 1 Senators voted to make permanent middle-class tax cuts that are set to expire after 2010. A yes vote backed an amendment to SCR 70 (above) extending measures such as the child-care tax credit, the 10 percent bracket and relief from the marriage penalty.
Voting yes: Allard, Salazar
KEY VOTES AHEAD
Congress is in Easter recess until March 31.
