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)
2009 SPACE BUDGET
For: 409/Against: 15 Members approved a $20.2 billion NASA budget for fiscal year 2009. A yes vote backed a budget to fund projects such as the international space station, a new manned-space module and Mars exploration.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Sala zar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Perlmutter
Voting no: Tancredo
FEDERAL WORKERS’ LEAVE
For: 278/Against: 146 Members voted to establish a new benefit for federal workers under the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 5781) granting civil servants four weeks of leave with pay following the birth, adoption or fostering of a child.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans FARM BILL VETO OVERRIDE
For: 317/Against: 109 Members overrode President Bush’s veto of a $289 billion, five-year farm bill. A yes vote was to enact HR 6124.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Sala zar, Musgrave, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn, TancredoBAN ON PRIMATES TRADE
For: 302/Against: 96 Members voted to make it a federal crime to import, export, buy, sell or in other ways trade nonhuman primates such as apes and monkeys. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 2964) codifying practices already banned by federal regulations and up to 40 states.
Voting yes: DeGette, Salazar, Perlmutter
Voting no: Musgrave, Lamborn, Tancredo
Not voting: Udall
$163 BILLION WAR FUNDING
For: 268/Against: 155 Members approved an amendment to HR 2642 that would appropriate $162.5 billion to pay the cost of war in Iraq and Afghanistan well into 2009. The spending would be added to the national debt. A yes vote was to send the legislation to the Senate.
Voting yes: Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Tancredo
Voting no: DeGette
Not voting: Perlmutter
JOBLESS CHECKS, NEW GI BILL
For: 416/Against: 12 Members adopted an amendment to HR 2642 establishing a new GI bill to pay for veterans’ college education, providing 13 additional weeks of jobless checks for the long-term unemployed and funding Midwest flood relief. A yes vote supported the amendment.
Voting yes: All Colorado representatives U.S. SPY POWERS
For: 293/Against: 129 Members voted to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through 2012 and give conditional immunity to telecoms accused of aiding illegal spying after 9/11. A yes vote backed a bill (HR 6304) that would expand U.S. power to wiretap foreigners without specific warrants.
Voting yes: Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Tancredo, Perl mutter
Voting no: DeGette
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R); Ken Salazar (D)
FARM BILL VETO OVERRIDE
For: 80/Against: 14 Senators joined the House in overriding President Bush’s veto of a $289 billion farm bill that renews subsidies for growers of major crops while also funding fruit and vegetable growers and requiring country-of-origin food labeling. A yes vote was to enact HR 6124.
Voting yes: Salazar, Allard
$55 BILLION TAX BREAKS:
For: 52/Against: 44 Senators failed to reach 60 votes needed to end GOP blockage of a bill providing $55.5 billion over 10 years in business, education, personal and energy tax breaks. A yes vote was to advance a bill (HR 6049) allocating $17 billion to developing alternative fuels.
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES
For: 21/Against: 69 Senators refused to kill a proposal for lenders to refinance at-risk mortgages in return for Federal Housing Administration backing of the reworked loans. The vote kept the proposal in a larger mortgage- relief bill. A yes vote was to remove the proposal from HR 3221.
Voting yes: Allard
Voting no: Salazar
KEY VOTES AHEAD This week the House will take up bills to tighten rules for energy speculators, subsidize mass- transit commuter fares and require oil firms to use or lose leases for drilling on federal land. The Senate will debate war funding.
