House votes

Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen

Vote 1: College Cost Reduction Act (HR 2669): The House on July 11 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., that increases the maximum Pell Grant by $500 over five years; increases subsidies for student loans; provides up to $16,000 in aid for students committing to teach in difficult public schools; provides up to $5,000 in loan forgiveness for first responders, firefighters and certain teachers; and increases loan limits. It provides additional funds to colleges serving significant minority populations, such as American Indians. The programs are funded by an $18.6 million cut to loan providers. Proponents said the bill will make college more affordable for low- and middle-income families and minorities. Opponents called the bill a Trojan horse for more entitlement programs. They said only 9 percent of decreased payment to loan providers was slated for deficit reduction. They argued there should be more effort to keep college tuition costs down. The vote was 273 yeas to 149 yeas.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: Foreign Investment and National Security Act (HR 556): The House on July 11 voted to accept the Senate version of a bill that reforms the review of potential foreign investments in the U.S., such as last year’s proposed takeover of several large port operations by a company owned by a foreign country. The bill requires reports to Congress, allows for a review by the director of intelligence and requires presidential review of all projects subject to extended review. Proponents said the bill will boost national security without harming investment. Opponents said the Senate version watered down a stop-gap measure in the bill that triggered deeper investigation. The vote was 370 yeas to 45 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: Central Oklahoma Water Study (HR 1337): The House on July 11 rejected a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., that called for a feasibility study to increase the water supply in the Oklahoma Master Conservancy District that serves Norman, Midwest City, and Del City. Proponents said the study was necessary to evaluate alternatives for a long-term solution. The vote was 208 yeas to 211 nays.

NAYS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: Troop Withdrawal from Iraq (HR 2956): The House on July 12 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., that requires all but a limited number of U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by April 1, 2008. Withdrawal would begin 120 days after enactment. Proponents said the strategy in Iraq has failed and continued presence there will cause long-term harm to the military. They argued that the initial justification for the conflict was that the Iraqi government was a threat to the U.S. and that is no longer the case. Opponents said a full report is due in September and that the escalated troop presence should be given a chance to work. The vote was 223 yeas to 201 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 5: Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (HR 1851): The House on July 12 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., that revamps a housing subsidy program that primarily serves low-income families, the elderly and the disabled. In addition to creating 20,000 additional vouchers, the bill makes it easier for rural families to receive assistance and bases payments to public housing agencies on the previous year’s leasing and costs. The bill provides incentives for work and education and expands the Moving to Work Program. The White House opposes some provisions of the bill. Proponents said 2004 reforms to the voucher program started by President Reagan had resulted in inequitable payments to housing providers. The bill provides for tenants’ rights and encourages home ownership by allowing vouchers to be used as a down payment. Opponents cited credit-reporting requirements in the bill that were confusing and could adversely affect some family member’s ratings. The vote was 333 yeas to 83 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Mandating Time Between Deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan: The Senate on July 11 failed to pass a cloture motion, a parliamentary procedure requiring 60 votes to prevent a filibuster, thereby killing an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1585) that would have required a time at home equal to the time of the last deployment overseas for active military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also would have required three years between National Guard deployments. Proponents said forces are stretched thin with insufficient time to train before redeployment, which affects retention of troops and the mental health in returning soldiers. Opponents argued that the amendment would hamper the military’s ability to move troops quickly in times of emergency. The vote was 56 yeas to 41 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Vote 2: Report on Iran’s Involvement in Iraq: The Senate on July 11 unanimously passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1585) that requires a report on Iran’s support of troop attacks in Iraq. The report, which would be submitted every two months by the U.S. ambassador to Iraq and the commander of the multinational forces, would provide details of the involvement by the government of Iran in training and supplying insurgents attacking U.S. forces. Proponents said there is evidence Iran is fighting a proxy war in Iraq by training insurgents. They said Iran is trying to establish itself as the dominant power in the region. The vote was 97 yeas to 0 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Vote 3: Defending Against Iranian Missiles: The Senate on July 12 accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1585) that makes it policy to develop and implement a program to combat the threat of the Iranian missile and nuclear programs to the U.S. and its allies. It encourages coordination with NATO defense programs. Proponents said Iran’s goal is to dominate the world and eliminate all countries that support Israel, including the U.S. and Europe. While there was little opposition to the amendment, some Senators noted this was already the policy. The vote was 90 yeas to 5 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Compiled for the Bangor Daily News by Targeted News Service.

Vote 4: Care of Wounded Troops: The Senate on July 12 unanimously passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., to the National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1585) that revamps the system to aid wounded soldiers. It would examine the disability rating system, require coordination between the Defense Department and the Veterans Administration on benefits and services, and authorize $50 million for the treatment and care of brain injuries and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Proponents said much had been done to improve care since poor conditions had been revealed earlier this year. They said the amendment corrects flaws and inconsistencies in the medical system for soldiers, who are owed the finest care by their country. The vote was 94 yeas to 0 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Compiled for the Bangor Daily News by Targeted News Service.