House votes

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

Vote 1: Hope VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act: The House on Jan. 17 passed a bill that would focus on the revitalization of severely distressed public housing projects. Key elements of the legislation include 1) redefining the scope of the 1-for-1 replacement requirement by requiring the replacement of all units in existence as of Jan. 1, 2005, and providing a limited waiver from the replacement requirement; 2) extending the timeline for rebuilding replacement housing units to 54 months from the date of execution of the grant agreement, consistent with current HUD practice; 3) clarifying procedural requirements for making any significant amendments or changes to a revitalization plan; 4) removing specific references to LEED for nonresidential construction and excluding costs associated with green development compliance from HUD’s Total Development Cost calculation; 5) clarifying eligibility and occupancy standards; and 6) clarifying that no person not lawfully permitted to be in, or remain in, the U.S. was eligible for housing assistance. The key legislative provisions were generally accepted, by amendment, on a bipartisan basis (by a recorded vote of 388 ayes to 20 nays), but the overall legislation drew opposition because the House rejected several Republican-crafted amendments that sought to alter the bill. The vote was 271 ayes to 130 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: Condemnation of the Assassination of Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto: The House, on Jan. 16, voted on a resolution (H.Res. 912) to reaffirm a commitment by the U.S. to aid the people of Pakistan in the world fight against terrorist activities and to promote a free and democratic Pakistan. The vote was 413 yeas with no nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: National Defense Authorization: The House, on Jan. 16, cleared legislation (HR 4986) that would address the foreign sovereign immunities provisions of U.S. law (Title 28 of U.S. Code). The provisions focused on the attachment of property in certain judgments against Iraq and the lapse of statutory authorities for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar benefits for members of the uniformed services. The vote was 369 yeas to 46 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: S-Miner Act: The House, on Jan. 16, passed legislation (HR 2768) to establish improved mandatory standards to protect miners during emergencies. In the course of considering the legislation, the House accepted an amendment by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., on a 234-183 vote that provides the mining industry more time to install a new generation of fire-resistant conveyor belts, provides funds for MSHA to purchase a new generation of dust-monitoring devices to limit black lung disease, and ensures that breathable air requirements of the Miner Act of 2006 are properly implemented. The final vote on the bill was 214 yeas to 199 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.