House votes

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

Vote 1: OFFERING PRODUCTON LEASES IN ALASKA OIL RESERVE: The House failed to pass a bill (HR 6515) sponsored by Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., to direct the Interior secretary to quickly offer competitive leases for oil and natural gas production in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, as well as to build a natural gas pipeline to serve the reserve. Supporters said the bill would quickly relieve upward pressure on energy prices by bringing up to 10 billion barrels of oil onto the U.S. market. Opponents said it would unfairly benefit trial lawyers and unions and was primarily a restatement of existing law. The vote, on July 17, was 244 yeas to 173 nays, with a two-thirds majority required for approval.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 2: BOLSTERING FAA REGULATIONS: The House passed the Aviation Safety Enhancement Act (HR 6493) sponsored by Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., to establish various rules enhancing Federal Aviation Administration policing of the airline industry. Supporters said the agency had recently lapsed from its role as watchdog over airline safety and the bill’s provisions would restore proper levels of vigilance at the agency. The vote, on July 22, was 392 yeas to 0 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: GLOBAL HIV-AIDS ASSISTANCE: The House passed a Senate amendment to the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (HR 5501), sponsored by Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif. The amendment will allow for funding to provide assistance to combat HIV-AIDS in foreign countries from fiscal 2009 through fiscal 2013. Proponents of the measure said it was a compromise between formerly divided sides and would lead to a dramatic improvement in the lives of people living and dying with HIV and AIDS. Opponents called the legislation “irrational benevolence” and balked at the $48 billion in costs associated with the measure, saying it gutted programs for U.S. citizens. The vote, on July 24, was 303 yeas to 115 nays. After passing both the Senate and House, the measure will be sent to the president for approval.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: MEDICARE ADJUSTMENT PROVISION: The House agreed to a resolution (HR 1386) sponsored by Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., related to the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. The resolution will prohibit section 803 of the Act from being applied during the remainder of the 110th Congressional session. Proponents of the resolution said section 803 allowed for Medicare-related spending and authorizations to pass without proper House consideration and that underhanded tactics were used to strong arm it into the bill. Opponents said Democrats were trying to avoid tough votes and real debates on fiscal responsibility. The vote, on July 24, was 231 yeas to 184 nays.

YEA: Allen

NAY: Michaud

Vote 5: NATIONAL CHILD AWARENESS MONTH: The House passed a resolution (HR 1296) sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., to institute a National Child Awareness Month that will promote awareness of children’s charities and youth-serving organizations and the benefits they bring to children. According to the resolution, September has been designated as National Child Awareness Month and during that time, the focus will include support and recognition of people involved in the improvement of children’s lives. The vote, on July 24, was 404 yeas to 0 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News