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)
COMBUSTIBLE-DUST RULES
For: 247/Against: 165 Members voted to require Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations for controlling dust hazards at factories. The rules would override any state rules that do less to prevent explosions and fires. A yes vote was to pass HR 5522.
Voting yes: All Colorado Democrats
Voting no: All Colorado Republicans
REGULATIONS DELAY
For: 178/Against: 237 Members refused to delay action on proposed combustible-dust rules (HR 5522, above) until completion of an ongoing federal probe into causes of an explosion Feb. 7 at the Imperial Sugar refinery near Savannah, Ga. A yes vote was to delay the bill.
Voting yes: All Colorado Republicans
Voting no: All Colorado Democrats
GENE-TESTING BIAS
For: 414/Against: 1 Members sent President Bush a bill making it illegal for employers and insurance firms to penalize individuals on the basis of genetic- testing results. The bill also would prohibit employers from requiring employees to take gene tests. A yes vote backed HR 493.
Voting yes: All Colorado lawmakers
HIGHWAY, TRANSIT SPENDING
For: 358/Against: 51 The House voted to send President Bush a bill (HR 1195) that would expedite the release of billions of dollars previously authorized for highway and mass-transit projects, including hundreds of members’ earmarks. A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Voting yes: All Colorado Democrats
Voting no: All Colorado Republicans
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R); Ken Salazar (D)
AVIATION BUDGET
For: 88/Against: 0 Senators took a preliminary step toward debating a bill authorizing $51 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration through 2012. A yes vote was to advance HR 2881.
Voting yes: Allard, Salazar
KEY VOTES AHEAD
This week, the House will take up bills to ease the U.S. housing crisis; both chambers may vote on the farm-bill conference report.
