Fri, Dec 05, 2008
ez access
Subscriber services | Subscribe now
Custom clipper icon

Nation

Capitol link in Washington

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.20.2008
WASHINGTON — Here's how area members of Congress voted on major roll calls last week.
House
"USE IT OR LOSE IT"
On Thursday the House, voting 244 for and 173 against, failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill (HR 6515) giving oil companies a "use it or lose it" mandate to either drill on federal land they have leased or give up the right to do so. The bill was directed at dormant leases covering 68 million acres, including 33 million offshore acres. The bill also required expanded drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and called upon President Bush to gradually put on the market 10 percent of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve's 700 million barrels. The bill also urged the president to expedite construction of a proposed pipeline to deliver natural gas from Alaska to the lower 48 states.
A "yes" vote was to pass the bill.
Yes: Ed Pastor, D-4; Harry Mitchell, D-5; Raúl Grijalva, D-7; Gabrielle Giffords, D-8
No: Rick Renzi, R-1; Trent Franks, R-2; John Shadegg, R-3; Jeff Flake, R-6
INTELLIGENCE BUDGET, ENERGY
On Wednesday the House, voting 200 for and 225 against, refused to send the 2009 intelligence budget (HR 5959) back to committee, where it would be changed to require a National Intelligence Estimate of the impact of global energy conditions on U.S. security. The Republican motion called for "promptly" adding the estimate. Democrats said they would accept the motion if it set a "forthwith," or immediate, timetable that did not delay the bill. The budget for the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies was then passed on a non-record vote. The classified sum is unofficially reported at $50 billion or higher.
A "yes" vote backed the GOP motion.
Yes: Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, Mitchell, Flake, Giffords
No: Pastor, Grijalva
BUSH MEDICARE VETO
The House voted 383-41 on Tuesdsay to override President Bush's veto of a bill (HR 6331) that would cancel the administration's 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors. The bill's projected cost of $19.8 billion over six years would be offset mainly by cuts in the privately run, federally subsidized Medicare Advantage program. The bill would increase doctor payments by 1.1 percent in January, require equal co-payment rates under Medicare for mental and physical coverage and delay a competitive-bidding process for durable medical equipment, among other provisions.
A "yes" vote was to override the veto.
Yes: Shadegg, Pastor, Mitchell, Grijalva, Giffords
No: Renzi, Franks, Flake
BUSH IMPEACHMENT BID
The House voted 238-180 on Tuesday to send to the Judiciary Committee one article of impeachment against President Bush related to the reasons he presented to the public for his decision to invade Iraq. Sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, the privileged resolution (H Res 1345) was not debatable. Democratic leaders said they will not seek to impeach Bush but may conduct broader committee hearings on his presidency.
A "yes" vote was to send the measure to committee.
Yes: Pastor, Mitchell, Grijalva, Giffords
No: Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, Flake
BACKUP PAPER BALLOTS
On Tuesday the House, voting 248 for and 170 against, failed to reach a two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill (HR 5803) authorizing $75 million in grants to help states and localities purchase backup paper ballots for use in this year's elections if electronic systems break down.
A "yes" vote was to pass the bill.
Yes: Pastor, Mitchell, Grijalva, Giffords
No: Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, Flake
Senate
BUSH MEDICARE VETO
The Senate voted 70-26 on Tuesday to join the House (above) in overriding President Bush's veto of a bill (HR 6331) to continue Medicare reimbursement rates to doctors at their current level this year and raise them by 1.1 percent in January. The bill then became law.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said: "No doctor should have to choose between staying in business and taking care of their patients, but if we don't override this veto, that is exactly what will happen."
A "yes" vote was to enact the bill.
No: Jon Kyl, R
Not voting: presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain (also not voting: presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barrack Obama of Illinois)
GLOBAL AIDS FUNDS
The Senate voted 80-16 on Wednesday to pass a bill (HR 5501) authorizing $50 billion over five years for U.S. support of global programs to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean.
A "yes" vote was to pass the bill.
No: Kyl
Not voting: McCain (also not voting: Obama)
Thomas Voting Reports
Get Arizona Daily Star home delivery and SAVE BIG!
Go Back