HOW THEY VOTED: MAINE’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, SEPT. 14-20, 2007 Iraq war, insurance in the spotlight

House votes

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

Vote 1: Expanding American Homeownership Act (HR 1852): The House on Sept. 18 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., that reforms the Federal Housing Administration home mortgage program. The bill increases loan limits, allows for decreased down payments and allows flexibility for loan maximums in areas with expensive housing. The bill also reduces loan fees. Proponents said FHA’s market share has decreased in part because of the subprime mortgage market. Opponents agreed with the need for reform but thought the bill would allow FHA surpluses to be diverted to an affordable housing program rather than to keep FHA stable. The vote was 348 yeas to 72 nays.

YEAS: Michaud

NOT VOTING: Allen

Vote 2: Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act (HR 2761): The House on Sept. 19 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass., that extends government insurance for damages resulting from terrorist acts for 15 years. Proponents said the insurance industry cannot supply ample insurance to cover catastrophic losses such as those that occurred in 2001. They added that funding for the program would be worked out as the bill is completed. Opponents said the program that passed in 2002 was meant to be a stopgap measure to allow the insurance industry to stabilize after the terrorist attacks in 2001. The best solution, they argued, is not a new a government program, but a private industry solution. The vote was 312 yeas to 110 nays.

YEAS: Michaud

NOT VOTING: Allen

Vote 3: Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization (HR 2881): The House on Sept. 20 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., that reauthorizes FAA operations for $68 billion through fiscal 2011. The bill includes a requirement that airports submit a plan to allow passengers to debark from a plane during excessive delays. It authorizes funding for the upgrade of the air-traffic control systems, requires OSHA standards to be met by flight attendants, and requires an FAA investigation of consumer complaints. It authorizes the FAA to take steps to decrease traffic in airports that have excessive delays because of high traffic volume. Proponents stressed that the bill will address the shabby treatment of passengers by the air industry. They said the bill addresses areas in the air industry that need modernization. Opponents argued that a section of the bill that allows employees of Federal Express to organize under the National Labor Relations Act was improper. They said $1.9 billion for air-traffic controllers for a contract dispute was a give-away to big labor. The vote was 267 yeas to 151 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq: The Senate on Sept. 20 rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., to the defense authorization bill (HR 1585) that would have required the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by June 30. It would eliminate funding for all but a small training force. Proponents said U.S. service members had died in greater numbers in 2007 than in 2006. They said that the U.S. should be concentrating on capturing al-Qaida members. Opponents said the troop escalation is working and should be supported. They argued that Congress should not end support but build on the success. The vote was 28 yeas to 70 nays.

NAYS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.