This Week’s congressional votes for Maine

WASHINGTON – Here’s a look at how the state’s members of Congress voted on some issues in the past week, April 21- 27:

House votes by Democratic

Reps. Michael Michaud and

Tom Allen

VOTE 1: Media Reports of Leaked Classified Information: The House, on April 26, accepted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., to the Intelligence Authorization bill, HR 5020, that expresses the sense of Congress that the president should take action against organizations that publish classified information during wartime. Proponents said that publishers have profited from printing information that could endanger frontline agents. Opponents argued that, while agreeing that those who leaked classified information should be punished, the same rules should apply to those who work in the White House. The vote was 366 yeas to 56 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

VOTE 2: Intelligence Authorization Act, HR 5020: The House, on April 26, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., that authorizes funding for human intelligence activities, intelligence analysis and counterintelligence efforts. Proponents said the bill restores funding cuts from the last decade that left the U.S. vulnerable to terrorists. Opponents said that oversight provisions are not strong enough. The vote was 327 yeas to 96 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

VOTE 3: Closing Tax Loopholes for Oil Companies: The House, on April 27, rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., to instruct House members on the House-Senate conference on the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act, HR 4297, to close tax loopholes for the oil companies and to deny an extension of lowered tax rates on capital gains and dividends. Proponents argued that oil companies are enjoying record profits on the backs of ordinary people. Opponents argued that taxing the oil industry would decrease the amount of gasoline available resulting in higher pump prices. The vote was 190 yeas to 232 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes by Republican

Sens. Olympia Snowe and

Susan Collins

VOTE 1: Border Security Funding: The Senate, on April 26, accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, HR 4939, that allocates $1.9 billion for border security. Proponents said increased border security was essential to control illegal immigration, thwart entrance of terrorists and decrease the flow of illegal drugs. Opponents said that the funds should have been included in the regular budget and that the $1.9 billion would affect the supply of critical equipment to the soldiers fighting in Iraq. The vote was 59 yeas to 39 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

VOTE 2: Stripping Non-Emergency Items: The Senate, on April 26, tabled, thereby killing, an amendment sponsored by Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., that would have restored the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, HR 4939, to only the funding requested by the president. Proponents of the amendment argued that spending was out of control and that some items inserted in the bill were nonemergency and should not be in an emergency spending bill. They asserted the president had threatened to veto the bloated bill. Opponents of the amendment said some of the needs addressed surfaced after the president had submitted the appropriations request. The vote was 72 yeas to 26 nays to table the amendment.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

VOTE 3: Increasing Veterans Spending: The Senate, on April 26, passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, HR 4939, to make an additional $480 million for veterans’ medical care available if requested. Proponents said the funding was necessary to pay for services for soldiers returning from the wars. Opponents said the department has spent $600 million less than allocated this year and the additional money would not be spent. The vote was 84 yeas to 13 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Vote 4: Including Iraq Appropriations in Regular Budget: The Senate, on April 27, accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, HR 4939, that expresses the sense of the Senate that the president should include funding requests for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during the regular appropriations process. Proponents argued that the appropriations are ongoing and should be included as regular appropriations items with justifications. The vote was 94 yeas to 0 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Compiled by Targeted News Service for Bangor Daily News.