House votes

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

Vote 1: Patent Reform Act (HR 1908): The House on Sept. 7 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., which reforms the U.S. patent system. The bill brings the U.S. system in closer alignment with international practices. The bill allows for a review period to contest a patent after it has been granted, limits damages from patent violations, and moves patent rights to the first inventor to file for a patent from the current law, which assigns rights to the first to invent. Proponents said the bill updates patent laws to keep pace with technology changes, provides an alternative to lengthy court battles for contested rights, and provides guidance for the judicial system. Opponents said the bill, rather than encouraging other countries to adopt a better system, downgrades the U.S. system to conform to lesser standards. They said the publishing requirements would allow infringement before a patent is awarded. They said hanging patent awards from “first to invent” to “first to file” would damage U.S. business. The vote was 220 yeas to 175 nays.

YEAS: Allen

NAYS: Michaud

Vote 2: College Cost Reduction Act, Conference Report (HR 2669): The House on Sept. 7 accepted the joint House-Senate conference report on a bill that reduces the interest rate on college loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over five years; provides reduced payments and eventual loan forgiveness for college graduates who enter certain public-sector professions; increases Pell Grants; and provides assistance to colleges that primarily serve minority populations. The $20 billion package is funded by decreased fees to student loan providers and provides $750 million in deficit reduction over the five years. Proponents said the bill makes college more affordable and decreases the deficit while following pay-go rules. Opponents said the bill creates an entitlement program with only short-term funding, will destabilize the student loan market and sets up an implementation timeline that is unlikely to be met. They said the rising cost of college should be addressed. The vote was 292 yeas to 97 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: College Cost Reduction Act, Conference Report (HR 2669): The Senate on Sept. 7 accepted the joint House-Senate conference report on a bill that reduces the interest rate on college loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent over five years; provides repayments at no more than 15 percent of income and complete loan forgiveness for college graduates that enter certain public-sector professions; increases Pell Grants; and provides assistance to colleges that primarily serve minority populations. The $20 billion package is funded by decreased fees to student loan providers and provides $750 million in deficit reduction over the five years. Proponents said the payment cap would encourage college graduates to work as teachers and in other public sector jobs. They added that the bill would make college more affordable without increasing the deficit. Opponents said the Higher Education Reauthorization Act needs to be passed to complete the package. The vote was 79 yeas to 12 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 2: Allocating additional $1 billion for bridge repair: The Senate on Sept. 10 passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (HR 3074) which allocates an additional $1 billion in aid to states for bridge repair. The highest allocations are $100 million each for California and New York. Proponents said the collapse of a Minnesota bridge underlined the need to provide resources to repair bridges. Opponents said the additional funding is a premature reaction to the catastrophe and that funding for bridge repair is already in the bill. The vote was 60 yeas to 33 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 3: Prohibiting long haul trucking from Mexico: The Senate on Sept. 11 passed an amendment sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., to the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (HR 3074) which prohibits a pilot program that would allow 100 Mexican trucking companies to send long-haul trucks into the U.S. Proponents said that there are inadequate methods available to check the drivers’ records for violations or the history of accidents, or the repairs and maintenance of the trucks. They argued that the Transportation Department has said it will set up an inspection program, but it is not in place at this time. Opponents said Mexican trucks would be inspected before entering the U.S. to ensure compliance with safety standards. The vote was 75 yeas to 23 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 4: Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal 2008 (HR 3074): The Senate on Sept. 12 passed a bill that provides $106 billion for transportation and housing programs. In addition to $40 billion to states for road, highway and bridge repair, the bill includes $1.4 billion for Amtrak and $36 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The vote was 88 yeas to 7 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.