House votes

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

Vote 1: ESTABLISHING A DEDICATED FINANCIAL COMPLAINTS HOT LINE: The House on April 29 approved a bill (HR 4332) sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., authorizing the creation of a toll-free hot line dedicated to the filing of complaints and inquiries by consumers with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. Supporters said the measure would simplify the process of contacting regulators while saving money and making it easier for federal agencies to keep track of complaints. No legislator spoke to oppose the bill. The vote was 408 yeas to 1 nay, with a two-thirds majority required for approval.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: AUTHORIZING NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAMS: The House on April 29 approved a bill (S 2739) authorizing Forest Service and Energy and Interior department programs and establishing a nonvoting House delegate and immigration and labor laws for the Northern Mariana Islands. Supporters said the bill would protect numerous wilderness and historical areas throughout the U.S. and help expand water supplies, particularly in the West. They added that it would give the Northern Mariana Islands the duties and protections it merited as part of the United States. Opponents said it would close off public lands to the possibility of needed energy production. They also found fault with the manner in which the bill was shaped and brought to a vote. The vote was 291 yeas to 117 nays, with a two-thirds majority required for approval.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: FIXING TECHNICAL MISTAKES IN A TRANSPORTATION BILL: The House on April 30 voted to approve the Senate amendment making technical corrections to a bill (HR 1195) funding transportation programs. Supporters said the fulfillment of attempts to approve the amendment that began in November 2006 was long overdue and would allow transportation projects to move forward. Opponents said it was a rushed attempt to fund more than 6,000 earmark projects that should have received increased scrutiny. The vote was 358 yeas to 51 nays, with a two-thirds majority required for approval.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: HALTING WORK ON A COMBUSTIBLE DUST SAFETY RULE: The House on April 30 rejected an amendment by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to a bill (HR 5522) that would have suspended development of a new combustible dust safety rule until the Occupational Safety and Health Administration completed its investigation into the fatal February dust explosion at an Imperial Sugar refinery in Georgia. Supporters said the amendment would ensure a thorough study of the need for a rule. Opponents said it would needlessly delay a vital and already overdue workplace protection rule. The vote was 237 nays to 178 yeas.

NAYS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 5: REQUIRING NEW COMBUSTIBLE DUST SAFETY STANDARDS: The House on April 30 approved a bill (HR 5522) directing the labor secretary to develop health and safety standards for workers’ exposure to the hazard of combustible dust explosions and fires. Supporters said it would force the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to act on past recommendations for ways to reduce the hazard. Opponents said it would rush the development of new standards before adequate investigative and analytical work had been completed. The vote was 247 yeas to 165 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.