House votes

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

Vote 1: Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act (H.R. 3224): The House on Oct. 29 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., that provides up to $200 billion in grants though 2013 to states to repair dams. States awarded grants would be responsible for at least 35 percent of the cost of the project. Proponents said more than 3,200 dams nationwide are deficient with some posing a threat to public safety. The vote was 263 yeas to 102 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act (H.R. 3867): The House on Oct. 30 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., that gives federal contracting priority to businesses owned by disabled veterans and strengthens the programs for minority- and women-owned businesses. Proponents said the country owes a debt to soldiers returning from service abroad. They added that reforms should help businesses owned by woman and minorities secure federal contracts. Opponents said that changes regarding the Historically Underutilized Business Zones could harm the program vital to restoring poor communities. The vote was 334 yeas to 80 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: Trade and Globalization Act (H.R. 3920): The House on Oct. 31 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., that reauthorizes trade adjustment assistance for five years. The $8.6 billion bill expands eligibility for aid under the act to service sector jobs. It increases support and education for unemployed persons and extends the federal unemployment tax surcharge. The White House opposes the bill. Proponents said the bill will allow more workers to get the education and skills for new careers. Opponents said the bill expands trade adjustment program benefits, but not accountability. They added it will harm U.S. business in the global economy. The vote was 264 yeas to 157 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act (H.R. 2262): The House on Nov. 1 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., that imposes a royalty on minerals such as copper, silver and gold that were mined from federal lands. Under an 1872 law, mining operations pay as little as $2.50 an acre for the right to mine but no royalty as in oil, coal and gas leases. The bill sets the royalty rate for new claims at 8 percent and existing claims at 4 percent of gross revenue. Royalty payments would go to fund reclamation efforts and mitigation of community impacts from abandoned sites with most going to the states where the royalties were earned. It also imposes cleanup standards for mines that close. Proponents said the bill will cost the $23 billion mining industry about $200 million over five years. They also said there are 80 mines on the EPA Superfund list. Opponents said the royalty will cause mines to close and more high-paying jobs to be lost to foreign competition. They added that some of the minerals are needed for national security. They said that the price of a lease might appear low, but mining is a tough and expensive business. The vote was 244 yeas to 166 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Amtrak Reauthorization (S. 294): The Senate on Oct. 30 passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., that reauthorizes Amtrak operations through fiscal 2012 and provides $11.4 billion in federal assistance. It provides $1.9 billion for development of new passenger lines and replaces the Amtrak Reform Board with a board of directors. Proponents said that with gas prices high and airline passengers facing increasing flight delays, development of high-speed rail transportation was in the national interest. Opponents said that the original legislation for Amtrak envisioned it becoming financially independent, rather than having a continued federal subsidy. They argued that Amtrak needs more accountability and should shut down routes that operate at a high per-passenger loss. The vote was 70 yeas to 22 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 2: Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3963): The Senate on Nov. 1 passed a bill that reauthorizes a federal health insurance program that covers children. The bill extends coverage to about 10 million children, adding eligibility for almost 4 million children over existing law at an expected price tag of $60 billion over five years. The bill is similar to one vetoed by President Bush last month. Proponents said keeping children healthy is an investment in the future by enabling them to move toward becoming productive adults. Opponents said the bill was still too expensive and did not focus on the needs of the poorest children first. They said Bush was still likely to veto it in its present form. The vote was 64 yeas to 30 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News