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House votes
Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud (2nd District) and Tom Allen (1st District)
Vote 1: Scholarships for Math, Science Undergraduates: The House on April 24 accepted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., to a bill (H.R. 363) to encourage math and sciences careers. The amendment calls on the federal government to create 2,500 scholarships for undergraduate students studying math, engineering, science or technology at state institutions. Students with family incomes up to $75,000 and who maintain at least a B average would be eligible for financial assistance. Proponents said the amendment follows a National Science Foundation recommendation to encourage undergraduate study in those fields. Opponents said the program duplicates scholarships offered by the U.S. Department of Education. The amendment would add $281 million in scholarships to the $1.2 billion already requested for fiscal 2008. The vote was 254 yeas to 165 nays.
YEAS: Allen, Michaud
Vote 2: Encouraging Science and Engineering Careers (H.R. 363): The House on April 24 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., that establishes grants for new engineers and scientists and for graduate students awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. Proponents said that bill will help keep the U.S. competitive in the global marketplace. The vote was 397 yeas to 20 nays.
YEAS: Allen, Michaud
Vote 3: Small Business Lending Improvements Act (H.R. 1332): The House on April 25 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Ill., that streamlines certain small business loan programs, allows for the reduction of borrower fees, increases loan funds available for disadvantaged small business and eliminates the fees for certain business loans made to veterans. Proponents said the bill will make loans more accessible to small businesses. The vote was 380 yeas to 45 nays.
YEAS: Allen, Michaud
Vote 4: Conference Report on Emergency Supplemental Appropriations (H.R. 1591): The House on April 25 passed the House-Senate Conference report on a bill that provides $124.2 billion in emergency federal funding. It requires the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq beginning on July 1. However, if certain benchmarks are met by the Iraqi government, it will begin on Oct. 1 with a goal of complete withdrawal in six months after it begins. It sets standards for equipment and readiness before troops can be deployed. The bill includes an increase in the minimum wage. Also included is more than $100 billion for the Defense Department, primarily to fund U.S. deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan; $5 billion for military and veterans health; $6.9 billion in aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina; $3.5 billion in disaster aid for farmers and ranchers; and $2.3 billion for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Proponents said the bill ensures the troops “win” the war in Iraq, but notes that only the Iraqis can make the compromises necessary to stop the developing civil war. Opponents said Iraq is the primary front of the war on terror and it was time to stand up to Islamic radicals. They added that withdrawal would leave the country in chaos. The vote was 218 yeas to 208 nays.
YEA: Allen
NAY: Michaud
Vote 5: Prohibiting the Sale and Slaughter of Wild Horses (H.R. 249): The House on April 26 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., that prohibits the sale of wild horses and burros for commercial processing. Proponents said the bill reinstates a ban that had been in place and reaffirms the country’s commitment to wild horses. Opponents said the animals are overgrazing public lands and the bill takes away tools necessary for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management to care for public property. The vote was 277 yeas to 137 nays.
YEAS: Allen, Michaud
Senate votes
Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins
Vote 1: Remove Funding for Human Resources and Educational Programs at the National Science Foundation: The Senate on April 25 rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., to a bill (S. 761) to promote excellence in science and technology. The amendment would have removed the designation of $1 billion for education and human resources at the National Science Foundation. Proponents said that never before had funds been authorized for a specific program at the foundation. They argued that to do its job, $1 billion of the $6.5 billion authorized should not have a federal mandate. Opponents argued that the allocation ensures that the foundation will continue to be involved in science education programs. The vote was 24 yeas to 74 nays.
NAYS: Collins, Snowe
Vote 2: Oversight of Grants at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: The Senate on April 25 accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., to a bill (S. 761) to promote excellence in science and technology. The amendment requires the U.S. Department of Commerce’s inspector general to conduct routine reviews of grants awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It prohibits grant funds from being used for most conferences. Proponents said that a recent newspaper article had brought to light a $10 million grant by the administration that had little oversight and may have represented conflicts of interest. Opponents said the amendment would single out NOAA grants for oversight in a manner different than other federal grant. The vote was 82 yeas to 14 nays.
YEAS: Collins, Snowe
Vote 3: Investment in Technology and Education (S. 761): The Senate on April 25 passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., that seeks to increase U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace by promoting science, education and technology programs. The bill provides incentives to colleges and universities for certain math and science education programs and expands scholarships and research grants for post-secondary study and early-career researchers. It also increases research authorizations at NASA and the Department of Energy and establishes high schools for advanced students in science and math. Proponents said the bill is modeled on recommendations of the National Academies of Science and others to help the
country keep its competitive edge in the global marketplace. The vote was 88 yeas to 8 nays.
YEAS: Collins, Snowe
Vote 4: Conference Report on Emergency Supplemental Appropriations (H.R. 1591): The Senate on April 26 passed the House-Senate Conference report on a bill that provides $124.2 billion in emergency federal funding. It requires that withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq beginning on July 1. However, if certain benchmarks are met by the Iraqi government, it will begin on Oct. 1 with a goal of complete withdrawal six months after it begins. It sets standards for equipment and readiness before troops can be deployed. The bill includes an increase in the minimum wage. Also included is more than $100 billion for the Defense Department, primarily to fund U.S. deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan; $5 billion for military and veterans health; $6.9 billion in aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina; $3.5 billion in disaster aid for farmers and ranchers; and $2.3 billion for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Proponents said the administration has tried to frighten the country with promises of death and destruction if a deadline for troop withdrawal is set. They argued that Congress is constitutionally empowered to question a president on a war. Opponents said al-Qaida will declare victory the day the deadline is set. The vote was 51 yeas to 46 nays.
NAYS: Collins, Snowe
Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News
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