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)
SUITS AGAINST OPEC
For: 324/Against: 84 Members approved a bill to hold the 13 countries that comprise OPEC accountable under U.S. antitrust law when they limit oil supplies or fix prices.
Voting yes: DeGette, Salazar, Musgrave, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn, Tancredo
Not voting: Udall
$55.5 BILLION TAX BREAKS
For: 263/Against: 160 Members approved $55.5 billion in tax breaks for purposes such as developing renewable energy, spurring business activity and aiding the working poor. The cost is offset by tax hikes on hedge fund managers and multinational companies.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans
FARM BILL VETO OVERRIDE
For: 316/Against: 108 Members overrode President Bush’s veto of a $289 billion, five-year farm bill that renews subsidies for major crops such as cotton, corn and wheat while funding nutrition and conservation programs as well as rural development.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Sala- zar, Musgrave, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn, Tancredo
2009 DEFENSE BUDGET
For: 384/Against: 23 Members approved a $601 billion military budget for fiscal 2009 that includes $70 billion to fund war in Iraq and Afghanistan for part of the year. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 5658) that funds a 3.9 percent military pay raise and bans permanent U.S. bases in Iraq.
Voting yes: DeGette, Salazar, Lamborn, Tancredo, Perlmutter
Not voting: Udall, Musgrave
IRAQ DEFENSE PACTS
For: 234/Against: 183 Members amended the 2008 military budget (HR 5658, above) to require Senate ratification of any future agreement committing the United States to defend Iraq against attacks from interior or exterior forces. A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.
Voting yes: DeGette, Salazar, Tancredo, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn
Not voting: Udall, Musgrave
INTERROGATION VIDEOTAPES
For: 218/Against: 192 Members added language to the fiscal 2009 military budget requiring the Department of Defense to make and retain videotapes of interrogations of prisoners in its custody or under its control.
Voting yes: DeGette, Perlmutter
Voting no: Salazar, Lamborn, Tancredo
Not voting: Udall, Musgrave
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R); Ken Salazar (D)
FARM BILL VETO OVERRIDE
For: 82/Against: 13 The Senate joined the House in overriding President Bush’s veto.
Voting yes: Salazar, Allard
WAR FUNDING
For: 70/Against: 26 Senators approved $165 billion for war costs in Iraq and Afghanistan that would fund the conflicts well into the first year of the next U.S. presidency. The measure now must be reconciled with a similar House-passed bill.
Voting yes: Salazar, Allard
NEW GI BILL
For: 75/Against: 22 Senators approved a GI Bill for veterans with at least three years’ duty who enlisted after Sept. 11, 2001, which would pay four years’ tuition at a level up to the top public tuition in their state. A yes vote was to adopt the plan over arguments it could deplete the volunteer force. (HR 2642)
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
KEY VOTES AHEAD Congress is in Memorial Day recess until the week of June 2, when both chambers will take up the fiscal 2009 budget resolution and possibly bills to head off mortgage foreclosures and reform agencies that oversee the housing market.
