House votes

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

Vote 1: WILD MONONGAHELA ACT: The House on April 22 passed the Wild Monongahela Act: A National Legacy for West Virginia’s Special Places (HR 5151), sponsored by Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va. The measure designates as wilderness seven additional areas, totaling 47,128 acres, in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Supporters said wilderness forest areas improve the quality of life for all residents of West Virginia and help to diversify and stabilize economies by attracting and retaining business, residents and a local work force, as well as generating travel and tourism. Opponents said the wilderness designation was the most restrictive policy that can be imposed on an area and it is often a mistake to foreclose active management options that can improve fish and game habitat, increase recreational access and lessen the severity of wildfires. The vote was 368 yeas to 17 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: HALTING IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAID REGULATIONS: The House approved a bill (HR 5613) creating or extending moratoria on seven proposed new Medicaid regulations through April 1, 2009. Supporters said the bill would stop the Bush administration from sharply cutting Medicaid funding to the states for crucial health services by implementing the regulations. Opponents said that although the bill would help Medicaid providers in the short term, it also would block cost-saving measures for preventing fraud. The vote was 349 yeas to 62 nays, with a two-thirds majority required for passage.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: INCREASING SUPPORT FOR ENERGY MEASURES TAKEN BY SMALL BUSINESSES: The House approved an amendment by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, to a bill (HR 5819) amending the Small Business Act. The amendment prioritized small businesses taking steps to improve their energy efficiency and cut their carbon dioxide emissions for the awarding of grants. Supporters said the amendment would reward small businesses for innovative and cost-cutting energy strategies at a time of sharply rising energy prices. Although no legislator spoke to oppose the amendment, it was said that funds used for the grants would be better used to aid research and development for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. The vote was 355 yeas to 48 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: CHANGING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: The House approved a bill (HR 5819) amending the Small Business Act by making changes to its research and technology transfer programs. Supporters cited numerous improvements in the bill, including stricter review requirements for large research programs, updated funding levels to reflect inflation over the past 16 years, and aiding businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans. Opponents said the bill would give excessive support to small businesses controlled by venture capital firms that did not necessarily need government funding. The vote was 368 yeas to 43 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: INCREASING BENEFITS TO FILIPINO VETERANS: The Senate on April 24 rejected an amendment to Veteran’s Benefits Enhancement Act (S 1315) sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., that would have increased benefits due to U.S. veterans and would have provided for benefits for Filipino veterans who fought for the U.S. in World War II. Proponents of the amendment said that Filipinos who fought for the American cause did so in the face of mass casualties to Filipino nationals and called the benefits outlined in the amendment “provisions of honor” for those still alive because provisions in the current bill were “insulting.” Opponents to the amendment said the bill as it stands was “sufficient” and took into account all factors relating to those Filipinos still alive who fought in the war. The vote was 41 yeas to 56 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.