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)
FEDERAL TOBACCO REGULATION
For: 326/Against: 102 Members voted to begin Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 1108) that empowers the agency to regulate cigarette content, require disclosure of ingredients and ban marketing to children.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans OIL SPECULATION
For: 276/Against: 151 Members failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill ordering tougher Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight of oil-futures speculation, in part by requiring higher margin rules and more transparency. A yes vote was to pass HR 6604.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
For: 424/Against: 1 Members approved a bill to expand Consumer Product Safety Commission powers, double the agency’s budget by 2014, ban lead from toys and give legal tools to state attorneys general.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Lamborn, Tancredo, Perlmutter
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
For: 380/Against: 49 Members approved the conference report on a higher education bill that would hold schools publicly accountable for tuition increases, expand tuition aid to minorities, veterans and others, and partially waive student-loan debt held by first responders.
Voting yes: DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Musgrave, Perlmutter
Voting no: Lamborn, Tancredo
GENDER-BASED PAY BIAS
For: 247/Against: 178 Members approved a bill to expand the U.S. law against pay bias based on gender. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 1338) banning employer retaliation and enabling women to sue for recovery of back pay and receive compensatory and punitive damages.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. RepublicansSENATE
The Colorado delegation Wayne Allard (R); Ken Salazar (D)
JOURNALISTS’ SOURCES
For: 51/Against: 43 Senators failed to reach 60 votes needed to end GOP blockage of a bill to protect the confidentiality of news sources in federal court cases. The protection would be waived for reasons such as guarding U.S. security or solving crimes. A yes vote backed S 2035.
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
RENEWABLE ENERGY
For: 51/Against: 43 Senators failed to reach 60 votes for ending GOP blockage of a bill to extend tax credits for renewable energy, renew research and development tax credits and temporarily fix the Alternative Minimum Tax, among other provisions. A yes vote was to advance S 3335.
Voting yes: Salazar
Voting no: Allard
ONE SENATOR’S BLOCKADE
For: 52/Against: 40 Senators failed to reach 60 votes needed to advance a package of 35 popular bills that have been blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., on grounds that the $10 billion in spending is not offset. A yes vote was to advance S 3297 over Republican objections.
Voting yes: Salazar
Not voting: Allard
PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
For: 89/Against: 3 Senators sent President Bush a bill to expand the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s powers, staff and budget. A yes vote was to approve a measure (HR 4040) that would nearly double the agency’s budget to $130 million in fiscal 2014.
Voting yes: Salazar, Allard
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
For: 83/Against: 8 Senators sent the White House a higher education bill that, along with provisions cited above, would seek to hold down textbook costs, raise the value of Pell Grants and penalize states that cut student aid. A yes vote was to pass the conference report on HR 4137.
Voting yes: Salazar, Allard
KEY VOTES AHEAD Congress is in recess until the week of Sept. 8.
