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: Jared Polis (D) District 3: John Salazar (D) District 4: Betsy Markey (D) District 5: Doug Lamborn (R) District 6: Mike Coffman (R) District 7: Ed Perlmutter (D)
BANKRUPTCY AND MORTGAGES
For: 234/Against: 191 Members voted to allow bankruptcy courts to rewrite loans on primary homes in Chapter 13 actions if borrowers have exhausted other options. A yes vote backed a bill that would permanently hike FDIC insurance to $250,000 per depositor. (HR 1106)
Voting yes: DeGette, Polis, Salazar, Perlmutter
Voting no: Markey, Lamborn
Not voting: Coffman
GOP BANKRUPTCY PLAN
For: 182/Against: 242 Members defeated a GOP motion to send HR 1106 (above) to committee for changes such as denying bankruptcy courts power to ease loan terms if borrowers lied on applications or lenders used slipshod underwriting standards. A yes vote backed the bid.
Voting yes: Lamborn
Voting no: DeGette, Polis, Salazar, Markey, Perlmutter
Not voting: Coffman
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Michael Bennet (D); Mark Udall (D)
EARMARKS DISPUTE
For: 32/Against: 63 Senators refused to remove an estimated 8,570 earmarks totaling $7.7 billion from the main budget bill, HR 1105. Sponsored by House members and senators, the earmarks are split about 60-40 between Democrats and Republicans. A yes vote was to remove all earmarks from the bill, which remained in debate.
Voting no: Bennet, Udall
ENDANGERED SPECIES
For: 42/Against: 52 Senators refused to block the immediate repeal of Bush administration changes in the Endangered Species Act. A yes vote was to kill language in HR 1105 (above) that would, in part, re-establish climate- change science as a key factor in protecting polar bears.
Voting no: Bennet, Udall
U.N. POPULATION FUND
For: 39/Against: 55 Senators refused to withhold U.S. funding of the United Nations Population Fund unless President Barack Obama certifies it would not go to groups that coerce abortion. A yes vote backed the bid over arguments it was a political statement that only restates existing law.
Voting no: Bennet, Udall
KEY VOTES AHEAD This week the House may take up voting rights in Congress for the District of Columbia, and the Senate will resume debate on a $410 billion budget bill for fiscal 2009.
