House votes

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

Vote 1: Energy Bill (H.R. 6): The House on Dec. 6 passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., that calls for increased energy production from renewable sources and increased fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020; calls for increased energy efficiency in appliances and buildings; and requires the use of 36 billion gallons of biofuels annually. The bill also eliminates certain tax breaks for oil and gas companies and provides tax incentives for development of hybrid cars, renewable energy and ethanol. Proponents said the bill sets a course for energy independence by encouraging the decreased use of oil and gas and promoting the use of renewable energy and conservation. They said the bill will provide jobs, save taxpayers money from decreased fuel costs and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Opponents said the bill is overly optimistic on biofuel production; mandates electricity production from renewable sources; and increases taxes on U.S. oil and gas companies, making them less competitive in the global marketplace. They said the bill would result in a rise in the price of automobiles. The vote was 235 yeas to 181 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: Peru Free Trade Agreement (H.R. 3688): The Senate on Dec. 4 passed a bill that allows for free trade between the U.S. and Peru. Proponents argued the agreement requires compliance with several international labor standards and environmental treaties. They added that the bill makes U.S. products exported to Peru more competitive. Opponents said the bill is an extension of a flawed model that has caused billions of dollars to be added to the U.S. trade deficit. They added that free trade agreements are one of the factors that have caused the erosion of the middle class by allowing corporations to hire low-wage foreign workers. The vote was 77 yeas to 18 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 2: Alternative Minimum Tax Relief (H.R. 3996): The Senate on Dec. 6 passed a bill that provides for an increase in the adjusted gross income threshold for taxpayers affected by the alternative minimum tax to $44,350 for individuals and $66,250 for joint filers in 2007. Unlike the House version, which offsets the $50 billion loss in tax revenues by eliminating lower capital gains rates on certain income from private equity and hedge funds, the amended bill passed in the Senate does not provide for an offset. According to a Joint Economic Committee report, the AMT put in place in 1969 was meant to address fewer than 200 taxpayers who had paid no tax and had incomes of at least $200,000. Proponents said without a change in the threshold, 19 million taxpayers would be hit by higher taxes originally meant for the wealthy. Opponents said the change should not be made without an offset. Others indicated that a permanent solution should be found. The vote was 88 yeas to 5 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News