House votes

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

Vote 1: FUNDING OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM FROM DRUG PROCEEDS: The House passed an amendment to the Intelligence Authorization Act (HR 5959), sponsored by Mark Kirk, R-Ill., that would require a National Intelligence Estimate report to Congress on the use of drug production in Afghanistan and other countries to fund al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations. Supporters said heroin and hashish were supplying the Taliban with ample funds to carry out attacks, and more information on that link was needed to combat anti-American forces in Afghanistan. The vote, on July 16, was 426 yeas to 2 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: AID FOR HOUSING MARKETS: The Senate rejected a House version of the Foreclosure Prevention Act (HR 3221), sponsored by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and agreed to add a new section onto the bill that would provide for housing reform. The bill was designed to assist housing markets by authorizing aid to prevent foreclosures and to reform the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Supporters noted the growing foreclosure crisis across the country and said the bill would help stabilize housing and provide educational programs to prevent future problems. The vote, on July 11, to amend the title and add the new section to the House version of the bill, was 63 yeas to 5 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 2: OVERSIGHT OF FOREIGN AIDS SPENDING: The Senate rejected an amendment to the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (S 2731) sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that would have created a bipartisan commission to oversee the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Supporters said the commission would eliminate wasteful spending on AIDS by providing for the cancellation of ineffective programs. Opponents said it gave too much power to unelected authorities, was not necessary, and would endanger anti-AIDS efforts in Africa. The vote, on July 16, was 32 yeas to 63 nays.

NAYS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 3: REJECTING OVERSIGHT OF ANTI-AIDS PROGRAMS: The Senate rejected an amendment to the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (S 2731), sponsored by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., that would have created an inspector general position to oversee spending on anti-AIDS programs overseas. Supporters said the amendment was needed to ensure policing against fraud and inefficiency. Opponents said there was an effective and less costly oversight system already in place. The vote, on July 16, was 44 yeas to 51 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 4: LIMIT TO FUNDING OVERSEAS DISEASE PROGRAMS: The Senate rejected an amendment to the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (S 2731), sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., that would have limited funding for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs abroad for the next five years to $35 billion. Supporters said the slowing U.S. economy, the struggling housing market, and the fact that no more than $35 billion could be effectively spent all meant that greater expenditure was needless. Opponents said greater spending was needed to maximize the benefits of the programs and to maintain U.S. prestige in the countries being assisted. The vote, on July 16, was 31 yeas to 64 nays.

NAYS: Collins, Snowe

Vote 5: PROGRAMS TO FIGHT AIDS AND OTHER DISEASES: The Senate passed a bill (HR 5501) sponsored by Rep. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif., to authorize $50 billion of funding for anti-AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria efforts overseas from 2009 through 2013. Supporters said the bill improved on similar past legislation while achieving both humanitarian and national security goals by improving the health of Africans in particular. The bill was criticized for authorizing greater expenditures than could be used efficiently in the five-year period. The vote, on July 16, was 80 yeas to 16 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News.