HOW THEY VOTED: MAINE’S CONGRSSIONAL DELEGATION, JUNE 15-21, 2007 Homeland security, LNG siting in the spotlight

House votes

Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud (2nd District) and Tom Allen (1st District)

Vote 1: Homeland Security Appropriations Fiscal 2008 (H.R. 2638): The House on June 15 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. David Price, D-N.C., that provides $37.4 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal 2008. The bill includes funding for additional border patrol agents, increased cargo screening and grants to first responders. The vote was 268 yeas to 150 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: Veterans and Military Constructions Appropriations Fiscal 2008 (H.R 2642): The House on June 15 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, that provides $21.4 billion for base closures, military construction and family housing for fiscal 2008. Veterans Affairs is funded at $6.7 billion more than the previous year at $43.2 billion, including $37.1 billion for the Veterans Health Administration. Veterans funding is $3.8 billion over the president’s request. The vote was 409 yeas to 2 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: Expanding Small Business Services to Native Americans: The House on June 20 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., that allows small-business centers to apply for grants to service Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and other indigenous populations. The bill requires centers to seek advice from tribal governments on how best to service the communities. Proponents said the bill will assist entrepreneurs to build small businesses and help alleviate unemployment. The vote was 351 yeas to 73 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: Additional Funding for the Iraq Study Group: The House on June 21 passed an amendment sponsored by Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., to the State Department appropriations bill (H.R. 2764) that provides $1 million in funding for the Iraq Study Group. Proponents said the group would review and add to its previous report. The vote was 355 yeas to 69 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 5: AIDS Prevention Funding for Abstinence and Fidelity Promotion: The House on June 21 rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Joseph Pitts, R-Pa., to the State Department appropriations bill (H.R. 2764) that would have earmarked one-third of funding for AIDS prevention for abstinence and fidelity programs. Proponents said that limiting partners has been shown to dramatically decrease the spread of AIDS. Opponents said the bill allows the president to set the levels that are best for each area serviced. The vote was 200 yeas to 226 nays.

NAYS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 6: Allowing Organizations to Receive Grants for Contraceptives: The House on June 21 accepted an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., to the State Department appropriations bill (H.R.2764) that bars the federal government from taking into account a nongovernmental agency’s stand on abortion when considering grants for contraceptives. Proponents said contraceptives help prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of AIDS. They added that no funding would go to an organization that counseled on abortion, but those agencies would be eligible to receive contraceptives for dissemination in countries where other means do not exist. Opponents said the amendment supported pro-abortion organizations. The vote was 223 yeas to 210 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Making Oil Cartels Subject to Antitrust Laws: The Senate on June 19 accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Herb Kohl. D-Wis., to the energy bill (H.R. 6) that makes oil cartels subject to antitrust laws. The amendment allows the Justice Department to proceed against a cartel if it tries to manipulate the quantity of oil available or the price. Proponents said the government has taken little action to control the cartels. They argued that the law would not allow private lawsuits, but would allow the federal government to take action. Opponents argued that OPEC members are sovereign nations that are not subject to the U.S. court system. They argued that attaching foreign assets could spark retaliatory measures and decrease foreign investment. The White House has come out against the measure. The vote was 70 yeas to 23 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 2: Restoring State and Local Authority on Siting LNG Terminals: The Senate on June 19 rejected an amendment by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., to the energy bill (H.R. 6) that would have required the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to get state approval before issuing a permit for a liquefied natural gas import terminal. While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has jurisdiction on the construction of such facilities, a Corps permit is also required. Proponents said states should be included in decisions to put terminals near densely populated areas, such as one proposed in Baltimore. Opponents said the amendment would allow any state to veto a terminal when the country needs to import more gas from abroad. The vote was 37 yeas to 56 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 3: Assessing Biofuels’ Environmental Impact: The Senate on June 20 accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman. D-N.M., to the energy bill (H.R. 6) that allows the Environmental Protection Agency – when regulating fuel additives – to consider the impact on groundwater. The amendment includes grants for the development of biofuels that decrease the impact on air quality. Proponents said the amendment will help prevent a repeat of pollution caused by MTBE, a fuel additive that decreased air pollution but polluted groundwater. The vote was 58 yeas to 34 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 4: CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6): The Senate on June 21 passed a bill that increases fuel efficiency standards 10 miles per gallon to 35 mpg for cars and light trucks by 2020; increases the use of biofuels; and sets penalties for price gouging. A tax package to encourage the development of alternative energy and a mandate for power plants to get 15 percent of their fuel from renewable sources by 2020 were omitted from the bill. Proponents said the legislation was a step forward to decreasing dependence on imported oil by increasing automobile mileage requirements and emission standards. They added the bill would begin to decrease our dependence on countries hostile to the U.S. The vote was 65 yeas to 27 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News