Delegation votes

WASHINGTON — Here are the votes of the Maine congressional delegation on major legislation in Congress this week. A “Y” means the member voted for the measure; an “N” means the member voted against the measure; an “A” means the member did not vote.

Senate votes:

1) Ban CIA, IRS and DOJ employees from political contributions

The Senate rejected, 46-51, an amendment that would have prohibited employees from the Internal Revenue Service, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Justice Department and law enforcement officers from making contributions to political campaigns. The amendment was attached to legislation aimed at revising the Hatch Act to allow federal employees to participate in political activities. (S 135) Sen. William S. Cohen, (R)-N; Sen. George J. Mitchell, (D)-Y.

2) Ban federal employees from holding party positions

The Senate rejected, 32-64, an amendment that would have continued to prohibit federal employees from holding office in political parties. The amendment was attached to legislation aimed at revising the Hatch Act to allow federal employees to participate in political activities. (S 135) Cohen, N; Mitchell, Y.

3) Ban federal employees from soliciting political contributions

The Senate approved, 63-35, a move to table an amendment that would have prohibited federal employees from soliciting political contributions from their co-workers. The amendment was attached to legislation aimed at revising the Hatch Act to allow federal employees to participate in political activities. (S 135). Cohen, Y; Mitchell, Y.

4) Allow political activity for federal and postal employees

The Senate approved, 67-30, a bill allowing all federal and postal workers (except Federal Election Commission employees) to participate in partisan politics in their off-duty hours. The number of votes approving the bill is the bare minimum needed to override an expected presidential veto. (S 135). Cohen, N; Mitchell, Y.

House votes:

1) Approval of new funding for Amtrak

The House approved, 322-93, a bill approving federal funding for Amtrak through fiscal year 1992. The measure would require the Interstate Commerce Commission to review proposed acquisitions of major railroads by non-railroad companies. (HR 2364). Rep. Joseph E. Brennan, Y; Rep. Olympia J. Snowe, N.

2) Allow member to continue floor speech

The House approved, 246-167, a move to allow Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., to complete his one-minute floor statement even though the chair ruled he had used unparliamentary language in accusing President Bush of “intellectual dishonesty.” Torricelli was referring to Bush’s willingness to consider new taxes to fight the federal budget deficit, in spite of the president’s campaign pledge of “no new taxes.” Brennan (D)-Y; Snowe (R)-N.

3) Employee leave in cases of pregnancy or family illness

The House approved, 237-187, a bill requiring firms with 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for newborn children or cope with personal or family illness. The vote falls far short of what is needed to override an expected presidential veto. (HR 770). Brennan, Y; Snowe, Y.