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)
CONSERVATION
For: 285/Against: 140 Members voted to protect 2.1 million wild acres in nine states, including Colorado; ratify water pacts; and protect expanses of rare landscapes. A yes vote was to advance HR 146 to the White House.
Voting yes: All Colo. Democrats
Voting no: All Colo. Republicans
FIGHTING WILDFIRES
For: 412/Against: 3 Members voted to establish a dedicated fund that the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management would tap to pay firefighting costs. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 1404) to keep the rising cost of fighting wildfires from draining the two agencies’ budgets.
Voting yes: Colo. representatives
FEDERAL-STATE CONTRACTS
For: 148/Against: 272 Members refused to authorize U.S. Forest Service contracts with states aimed at managing land to prevent wildfires. A yes vote backed the amendment to HR 1404 (above) over arguments that such pacts would undercut U.S. environmental, logging and work rules.
Voting yes: All Colo. Republicans
Voting no: All Colo. Democrats
SENATE
The Colorado delegation Michael Bennet (D) Mark Udall (D)
AMERICORPS EXPANSION
For: 79/Against: 19 Senators voted to more than triple the ranks of AmeriCorps, the National Civilian Community Corps and Volunteers in Service to America, to 225,000 participants. A yes vote was to approve a $6 billion five-year budget for the programs. (HR 1388)
Voting yes: Bennet, Udall
ACORN FUNDING
For: 53/Against: 43 Senators tabled (killed) a bid to ban HR 1388 (above) from aiding ACORN, a community organization that some Republicans view as allied with Democrats. The bill contains no ACORN funds and bans partisan activity. A yes vote was to kill the amendment.
Voting yes: Bennet, Udall
KEY VOTES AHEAD This week the House and Senate take up President Obama’s budget along with their own budget blueprints for fiscal 2010 and later years. Congress will begin a two-week Easter- Passover recess at week’s end.
