HOW THEY VOTED: MAINE’S CONRESSIONAL DELEGATION, FEB. 2-8, 2007 Biofuels, troop increase in Iraq in the spotlight

House votes

Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen

Vote 1: Requiring the EPA to Minimize Biofuel Emissions: The House on Feb. 8 accepted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., to the bill (HR 547) for research and development of infrastructure for biofuels that requires the Environmental Protection Agency to minimize emissions caused by production, storage and transfer of biofuels. Proponents said the amendment is necessary because it directs the EPA to not only research strategies to reduce emissions, but also to take action. Opponents said the amendment weakens the bill because it addresses only stationary admissions while the original includes transport. They added that it would hamper the development of biofuels by added restrictions on how the fuels could be brought to market. The vote was 242 yeas to 185 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 2: Production of Delivery of Hydrogen Fuel: The House on Feb. 8 accepted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Charles Dent, R-Pa., to the bill (HR 547) for research and development of infrastructure for biofuels that directs the secretary of energy to examine the challenges to infrastructure of hydrogen fuels. Proponents said that it is critical to develop infrastructure for hydrogen fuel, which can be made from biomass. Opponents said the bill is narrowly drawn to provide research for biofuels only and hydrogen is outside the bill. The vote was 226 yeas to 201 nays.

YEAS: Michaud

NAYS: Allen

Vote 3: Return the Biofuel Infrastructure Research Bill to Committee (HR 547): The House on Feb. 8 rejected a motion sponsored by Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., that would have sent the bill to research infrastructure for biofuels back to committee for revision to include coal technologies in alternative fuels. Proponents said coal is an important component of energy independence. Opponents said the bill was narrowly drawn for a specific purpose and the motion to recommit was an attempt to scuttle the bill. The vote was 200 yeas to 207 nays.

NAYS: Michaud, Allen

Vote 4: Biofuel Infrastructure Research Bill (HR 547): The House on Feb. 8 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., that directs the Environmental Protection Agency to research and develop methods of accommodating biofuels in using existing infrastructure. Proponents said biofuels are necessary to develop energy independence and research was needed to develop methods of storage and distribution that did not damage existing infrastructure. The vote was 400 yeas to 3 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Troop Increase in Iraq (S 470): The Senate on Feb. 5 failed to invoke cloture, a parliamentary procedure to prevent a filibuster, on a bill sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., that would have expressed the Senate’s opinion that a proposed increase in the force currently in Iraq is not the proper strategy. The resolution backed by Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who did not vote for the motion, called for additional diplomatic initiatives and increased responsibility by the Iraqi army. Proponents argued that debates on the war should be allowed to proceed without a filibuster. They argued that increasing U.S. troops would appear as an open-ended commitment allowing the insurgents to step up recruitment. Democrats argued that not voting on a resolution would be a signal to the White House that the surge was appropriate. Opponents said the Senate should have full and open debate on the war without the restrictions imposed by cloture. They added that other pertinent resolutions should also be debated. Concern was raised that a resolution expressing no confidence in the president’s plan would demoralize the troops and give succor to the enemy. The vote was 49 yeas to 47 nays. (Three-fifths required.)

YEAS: Collins

NAYS: Snowe

Vote 2: U.S. Army Chief of Staff: The Senate on Feb. 8 confirmed Gen. George Casey as the U.S. Army chief of staff. Casey was in charge of the U.S. forces in Iraq from July 2004 until last month. Republicans accounted for 10 votes against the nomination. Proponents said Casey had attempted to implement the administration’s Iraq strategy. The failures in Iraq should not be laid at Casey’s feet but at his predecessors and misguided civilian leadership. Opponents said Casey supports the failed policies in Iraq and will give poor guidance on the war. The vote was 83 yeas to 14 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News