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)
HOUSING RESCUE
For: 272/Against: 152 Members approved a standby, multibillion-dollar bailout of the private mortgage-finance firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, along with new terms allowing 400,000 troubled mortgages to be reworked into federally backed loans. A yes vote was to pass HR 3221.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
For: 268/Against: 157 Members failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill requiring President Bush to gradually release 10 percent of the 700 million-gallon Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next several months. A yes vote was to pass HR 6578.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Tancredo, Perlmutter
Voting no: Musgrave, Lamborn
GLOBAL AIDS FUNDING
For: 303/Against: 115 Members authorized $50 billion over five years for U.S. support of global programs to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 5501) ending a requirement that one-third of U.S. HIV/AIDS funds be spent on abstinence programs.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans
BRIDGE INSPECTIONS
For: 367/Against: 55 Members passed a bill to upgrade inspection standards for state and local authorities responsible for the safety of highway bridges in the U.S. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 3999) requiring states to put their riskiest bridges first in line for repairs.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn, Tancredo
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R); Ken Salazar (D)
HOUSING RESCUE
For: 72/Against: 13 Senators on Saturday passed a bill that aims to help homeowners facing foreclosure and to prevent mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from failing. A yes vote was a vote to pass the bill (HR 3221).
Voting yes: Salazar
Not voting: Allard
OIL SPECULATION
For: 50/Against: 43 Senators failed to end GOP blockage of a bill (S 3268) ordering tougher Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight of speculation in oil futures, in part by requiring more public disclosure and setting higher margin requirements. A yes vote was to advance the bill.
Voting yes: Salazar
Not voting: Allard
KEY VOTES AHEAD This week the House will take up energy measures and a bill concerning gender-based pay discrimination, while the Senate will debate the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.
