House votes:

Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen

Vote 1: Renegotiating Oil and Gas Exploration Leases: The House on Dec. 8 rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., to the Tax Relief and Health Care Act (HR 6111) that would have required a company seeking a new lease for oil or gas exploration on public lands to renegotiate the terms of its existing leases. Proponents said oil and gas companies are not required to pay royalties on some older leases, taking billions out of federal coffers. They argued that a similar amendment was attached to the stalled Interior Department Appropriations bill. Opponents argued that the amendment would prevent passage of the bill in the Senate. The vote was 205 yeas to 207 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 2: Tax Relief and Health Care Act (HR 6111): The House on Dec. 8 passed the amended Senate version of a bill that extends tax credits for workers, research and development tax credits, allows some college tuition deductions, alters the Medicare payment system and allows a choice of either income or sales tax deductions on federal tax returns for individuals. The bill also allows for accelerated energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Proponents said the bipartisan bill helps create jobs, secure energy independence and grants some tax relief. Opponents said the bill was short sighted and should be considered in the new Congress in 2007. The vote was 367 yeas to 45 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 3: Defense Department Reporting on Congressional Projects (HR 6375): The House on Dec. 8 failed to suspend the rules and pass a bill sponsored by Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., that would have required the Defense Department to assign a grade to projects inserted into the department’s budget by Congress and to report annually. Proponents said the bill was designed to make sure money did not become pork barrel spending. Opponents argued that the bill would usurp congressional appropriations powers. The opponents said more comprehensive earmark legislation should be taken up by the new Congress. The vote was 70 yeas to 330 nays.

NAYS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 4: Trade Legislation: The House on Dec. 8 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., that establishes normal trade relations with Vietnam (HR 6406). It also extends trade preferences to sub-Saharan Africa and the Andean countries and establishes trade preferences for Haiti. The bill was rolled into the tax credit relief bill when it went to the Senate. Proponents said Vietnam is entering the World Trade Organization and U.S. companies should be able to reap the benefits. They added that Haiti is the poorest country in the hemisphere and needs U.S. support. Opponents said the U.S. should not be supporting the communist dictatorship in Vietnam many Americans fought against so that big business could find a cheaper source of labor. The vote was 212 yeas to 184 nays.

NAYS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 5: Continuing Appropriations Resolution for Fiscal 2007 (HJ Res. 102): The House on Dec. 8 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., that provides funding through Feb. 15 for agencies covered by nine appropriations bills for fiscal 2007 that have not been completed. The resolution also puts congressional pay raises on hold until February. The vote was 370 yeas to 20 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 6: U.S. and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act (HR 5682): The House on Dec. 8 passed the House-Senate conference report on a bill that allows trade of nuclear materials and technology with India, which has not signed a nonproliferation pact. Proponents said the bill supports a strong and growing democracy in Asia. Opponents said it sends the wrong message to developing nuclear powers such as Iran and North Korea. The vote was 330 yeas to 59 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 7: Requiring Reports of Adverse Effects of Dietary Supplements (S 3546): The House on Dec. 9 passed a bill that requires manufacturers, packers and distributors of dietary supplements to inform the FDA of reports of serious or adverse reactions within 15 business days. Proponents said that while many companies report incidents on a voluntary basis, timely reporting to the FDA by all companies is a public safety issue. Opponents said that while the bill was well-intended, it was broad and poorly executed. The vote was 203 yeas to 98 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Senate votes:

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Tax Relief and Trade Bills (HR 6111): The Senate on Dec. 8 passed a bill that extends tax credits for workers, research and development tax credits, allows some college tuition deductions, alters the Medicare payment system and offers a choice of either income or sales tax deductions on federal tax returns for individuals. The bill also accelerates drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The trade bill (HR 6406) that establishes normal trading relations with Vietnam and extends trade preferences to sub-Saharan Africa and the Andean countries and establishes trade preferences for Haiti was incorporated in the Senate vote. Proponents said the bill will help the economy grow by encouraging job growth, oil and gas exploration and research and development. Opponents of the bill said it was too costly, adding billions to the federal deficit. The vote was 79 yeas to 9 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News