House votes

Democratic Reps. Mike Michaud (2nd District)

and Tom Allen (1st District)

Vote 1: REAUTHORIZING FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PURCHASES: The House passed a bill (HR 6889) sponsored by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., that would provide a one-year extension of the secretary of education’s authority to purchase federal student loans. Supporters said the deepening credit crisis meant that extending the authority was crucial to ensure that students planning on continuing their education could continue with their plans instead of being denied loans. Opponents said the bill was not needed and unwisely extended federal subsidies and support for the private student loan market. The vote, on Sept. 15, was 368 yeas to 4 nays.

YEAS: Michaud

NOT VOTING: Allen

Vote 2: AUTHORIZING ENERGY MEASURES: The House passed the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act (HR 6899) sponsored by Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, D-W.Va., that included a limited opening of offshore federal waters for energy production and support for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Supporters said the bill would help put the U.S. on firmer energy footing, increase federal revenue from production leases and form the basis for a transition away from relying on energy imports. Opponents said it failed to do enough to increase energy security and expand production domestically and would not expand oil refinery capacity in the U.S. enough to alleviate pressure on gas prices. The vote, on Sept. 16, was 236 yeas to 189 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 3: REQUIRING WASHINGTON TO CHANGE ITS GUN LAWS: The House passed the National Capital Security and Safety Act (HR 6842) sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., that would require Washington to comply with a recent Supreme Court decision and reform its firearm laws. Supporters said the bill would help residents protect themselves by eliminating restrictions on their use of firearms against criminal dangers. Opponents maintained that it would not allow for such protection. The vote, on Sept. 17, was 266 yeas to 152 nays, with 1 voting “present.”

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 4: COMMODITIES MARKETS CONTROLS TIGHTENED: The House passed the Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act (HR 6604), sponsored by Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., that will amend the Commodities Exchange Act to strengthen the markets in a time of instability. Proponents of the bill said it would bring greater accountability and transparency to commodities markets by strengthening oversight and making sure no one entity or group is having undue influence on the markets by providing the tools for close examination. Opponents said the bill does nothing to bring down energy prices and noted that some provisions may even result in less transparency through undefined controls in foreign markets. The vote, on Sept. 17, was 283 yeas to 133 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Vote 5: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRIORITIZED: The House passed the No Child Left Inside Act (HR 3036), sponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to promote the education of students on environmental issues. Proponents said the bipartisan bill calls for environmental literacy plans to educate students on how to treat the environment when they are living on their own. The legislation has drawn support from more than 700 organizations nationwide representing nearly 40 million people. The vote, on Sept. 18, was 293 yeas to 109 nays.

YEAS: Allen, Michaud

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

Vote 1: FUNDING MILITARY PROGRAMS FOR FISCAL 2009: The Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (S 3001), sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., to authorize programs managed by the Pentagon. Supporters said the bill expanded military programs at a time of pressing strains on the Pentagon due to wars overseas. The bill provides support for additional recruitment of psychologists and nurses. Opponents cited its lack of a provision for ending U.S. involvement in Iraq, which was blamed for depriving the military of personnel needed to provide security in Afghanistan and for future deployments elsewhere. The vote, on Sept. 17, was 88 yeas to 8 nays.

YEAS: Collins, Snowe

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News