House votes

Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Tom Allen

VOTE 1: Refinery Permit Process Schedule Act, H.R. 5254: The House, on May 3, failed to pass a bill, sponsored by Rep. Charles Bass, R-N.H., considered under a suspension of the rules (requiring a two-thirds majority to clear) that would have established a coordinator to oversee all levels of governmental permitting for new refinery siting. Proponents argued that the bill would speed up and encourage construction of new refineries. Opponents argued that it would repeal the streamlining process outlined in last year’s federal energy bill and slow the process with a new level of bureaucracy that would compel states to act on a federal schedule. The vote was 237 yeas to 188 nays (with a two-thirds required to pass).

NAYS: Michaud, Allen

VOTE 2: Civil vs. Criminal Penalties for Lobbying Violations: The House, on May 3, rejected an amendment sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, to the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act, H.R. 4975, that would have removed criminal penalties for lobbyists who do not file properly and set fines instead. Proponents argued that an innocent failure to file should not be criminalized. Opponents argued that the amendment struck provisions that would jail lobbyists who knowingly lied about contact with members of Congress. The vote was 108 yeas to 320 nays.

NAYS: Michaud, Allen

VOTE 3: Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act, H.R. 4975: The House, on May 3, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., that requires more frequent reports from lobbyists and limits sponsored member travel. Lobbyists violating disclosure rules face stiffer fines and possible criminal prosecution. Proponents argued the bill, a bipartisan effort, was a significant step toward reform. Opponents argued the bill was a face-saving measure that lacked the teeth of a real reform bill. The vote was 217 yeas to 213 nays.

NAYS: Michaud, Allen

VOTE 4: Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, H.R. 4954: The House, on May 4, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Calif., that provides $7.4 billion for port security, requires the Department of Homeland Security to put radiological detection devices at 22 ports by the end of next year, adds 1,200 inspectors and upgrades port worker identification cards. Proponents said the bill was a bipartisan effort that takes a layered approach to port security. While no one spoke in opposition to the bill, several members indicated the bill did not have sufficient safeguards. The vote was 421 yeas to 2 nays.

YEAS: Michaud, Allen

Senate votes

Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins

VOTE 1: Sugarcane Growers Benefits Earmark: The Senate, on May 2, rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, H.R. 4939, that would have stripped $6 million in aid slated for sugarcane growers in Hawaii. Proponents argued that Hawaii was not anywhere near the hurricanes covered by the emergency spending bill and that the Agriculture Department has loan programs available to help out in times of disaster. Opponents said the aid was necessary to repair extensive weather-related damage to two sugar companies, Gay and Robinson, and Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar, caused by 40 days and 40 nights of rain. The vote was 40 yeas to 59 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

VOTE 2: Requiring Competitive Bids: The Senate, on May 3, unanimously accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., that made all federal contracts for Hurricane-Katrina relief in excess on $500,000 subject to competitive bidding. The vote was 98 yeas to 0 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

VOTE 3: Protection for First Responders During Pandemic: The Senate, on May 3, accepted an amendment sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, H.R. 4939, that provides $289 million for compensation to first responders who become ill as a result of taking experimental vaccines to combat the potential effects of an influenza pandemic. Proponents said some volunteer first responders have been wary of taking certain vaccines because of financial uncertainty if they become ill. The vote was 53 yeas to 46 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

VOTE 4: Veterans Medical Facilities: The Senate, on May 4, rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, H.R. 4939, that would have switched $20 million to Veterans Medical Centers from the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Service Corps program. Proponents said the money would allow the Veterans Administration to complete its goal of establishing clinics by 2012 and that AmeriCorps was mismanaged. Opponents argued that the funds were necessary to provide training and basic living accommodations for volunteers in the storm-ravaged area. The vote was 39 yeas to 59 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

VOTE 5: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, H.R. 4939: The Senate, on May 4, passed a bill appropriating $109 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and for victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes last year. The bill include $10.5 billion more than the president said he would sign. There is $65.7 billion earmarked for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, $28.9 billion for hurricane relief, $3.9 billion for agricultural disaster aid; $2.6 billion for pandemic influenza preparation, $2.5 billion for border and port security and $2.5 billion for Department of State and Foreign Operations. Proponents argued the bill addresses the needs of the country. Opponents argued that the bill was bloated with earmarks that increased the federal debt. The vote was 77 yeas to 21 nays.

YEAS: Snowe, Collins

Compiled by Targeted News Service for the Bangor Daily News