Customized Congressional Vote Chart (by State)

Congressional Votes for Florida the week of 12/16 - 12/22/2005

Copyright © Targeted News Service 2006

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

HOUSE VOTES:

House Vote 1:
Report on Secret Prisons: The House, on Dec. 16, agreed to a motion sponsored by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., to instruct the members appointed to the House-Senate conference on the Defense Authorization Act (H.R.1815) to accept the Senate amendment that allows Congressional oversight of clandestine detention facilities. Proponents argued that Congress has the responsibility to American citizens to verify that administration claims that detainees were not moved to countries where torture was allowed. Opponents said there is already oversight of the war on terror and that the agencies involved should spend their time waging it, not worrying about reports to Congress. The vote was 228 yeas to 187 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th)
NAYS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)
NOT VOTING: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th)

House Vote 2:
Restore Cuts to Food Stamps, Medicare and Education: The House, on Dec. 16, agreed to a motion by Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., to instruct members appointed to the House-Senate conference on the Budget Reconciliation Act (S. 1932) to accept the Senate version of that bill for food stamp eligibility, Medicare and Medicaid, Pell grants, child support enforcement payments and the foreign dumping offset. Proponents argued that the cuts would harm children, the poor and the elderly. Opponents argued that some of the programs were designed in the 1960s and needed overhaul rather than the perpetuation of an outmoded and inefficient system that does not achieve the desired results. The vote was 246 yeas to 175 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th)
NAYS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th)
NOT VOTING: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)

House Vote 3:
Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act (H.R. 5537): The house, on Dec. 16, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that strengthens border protection and enforcement of immigration laws. Proponents said the bill enhances border security, increases penalties for traffickers in illegal immigration and allows for easier deportation of illegal immigrants. Opponents said the bill does not give sufficient resources to the Department of Homeland Security to protect the border. They also said since the bill does not address the root causes such as the demand for low-wage domestic workers, of illegal immigration, it would not be effective in solving the problem. The vote was 239 yeas to 182 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th)
NAYS: Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th)
NOT VOTING: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)

House Vote 4:
Stem Cell Research: The House, on Dec. 17, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., that establishes a national registry for umbilical cord stem cells and increases funding for research clearing the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act (H.R. 2520) for the president, who signed in on Dec.. 20. There was no opposition to the bill, but several members noted that umbilical cord stem cells had limited use since they could not develop as embryonic cells could. The vote was 431 yeas to 0 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)
NOT VOTING: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th)

House Vote 5:
Defense Authorization Act (H.R.1815), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report authorizing programs at the Defense Department. In addition to authorizing an additional 34,000 soldiers and a 3.1 percent pay raise, the $441.5 billion bill includes clauses banning torture of prisoners and sets standards for the rights of detainees. The vote was 374 yeas to 41 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)
NAYS: Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd)

House Vote 6:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report appropriating funds for the Defense Department. (Appropriations bills set the amount spent. Authorization bills set policies.) The $453.5 billion bill includes an additional $50 billion bridge fund for the military activity in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill included a controversial provision to allow oil and gas exploration on federal lands, specifically geared to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The bill includes $29 billion in aid for hurricane ravaged areas and $3.8 billion for avian flu preparedness. Proponents said the time was long past to enact the legislation for those fighting to defend the country. Opponents said that major legislation such as drilling in ANWR did not belong in the appropriations bill. They asserted that funding cuts such as close to $1 billion for No Child Left Behind were unacceptable. The vote was 308 yeas to 106 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)
NAYS: Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th)

House Vote 7:
Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report on a bill aimed at decreasing the federal deficit. Proponents said the bill was aimed at cutting increases in mandatory spending and was a step toward stemming the rise in the debt. Opponents said that the bill should have been combined with the tax cut package as such bills had been in the past. They argued that taken together the two would produce a $50 billion increase in the debt. The vote was 212 yeas to 206 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Michael Bilirakis R-FL (9th), Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite R-FL (5th), Rep. Ander Crenshaw R-FL (4th), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart R-FL (21st), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart R-FL (25th), Rep. Tom Feeney D-FL (24th), Rep. Mark Foley R-FL (16th), Rep. Katherine Harris R-FL (13th), Rep. Ric Keller R-FL (8th), Rep. Connie Mack R-FL (14th), Rep. John L. Mica R-FL (7th), Rep. Jeff Miller R-FL (1st), Rep. Adam H. Putnam R-FL (12th), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen R-FL (18th), Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. R-FL (22nd), Rep. Cliff Stearns R-FL (6th), Rep. Dave Weldon R-FL (15th), Rep. C.W. Bill Young R-FL (10th)
NAYS: Rep. Allen Boyd D-FL (2nd), Rep. Corrine Brown D-FL (3rd), Rep. Jim Davis D-FL (11th), Rep. Alcee L. Hastings D-FL (23rd), Rep. Kendrick B. Meek D-FL (17th), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL (20th), Rep. Robert Wexler D-FL (19th)

SENATE VOTES:

Senate Vote 1:
Patriot Act (H.R. 3199), Conference Report Cloture Motion: The Senate, on Dec. 16, rejected a motion to end debate on the USA Patriot Act Reauthorization. Proponents said the bill was necessary to protect the U.S. against terrorists. Opponents said there had been abuses under the law and that the new bill did not contain adequate safeguards. The vote was 52 yeas to 47 nays, with a three-fifths margin – or 60 votes – required to cut off debate and move toward passage of the legislation.
YEAS: Sen. Mel R. Martinez R-FL
NAYS: Sen. Bill Nelson D-FL

Senate Vote 2:
Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932), Conference Report: The Senate, on Dec. 21, agreed to the House-Senate conference report on a bill aimed at reducing the federal deficit. Vice President Cheney cast the deciding tie-breaking vote. Proponents said the bill reduces the deficit $40 billion. Opponents argued cuts to Medicaid, child support enforcement cuts, foster care were being made to fund a tax cut for the wealthy soon to be considered. The vote was 51 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Mel R. Martinez R-FL
NAYS: Sen. Bill Nelson D-FL

Senate Vote 3:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report Cloture Motion: The Senate, on Dec. 21, rejected a motion to end debate on a bill for appropriations for the Defense Department with debate centering on an amendment that allowed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proponents argued that drilling in a small part of the refuge would help solve the U.S. energy problems, including reducing the military dependence on foreign energy sources. Opponents argued that it should not have been inserted into the defense appropriations bill and that the area proposed for drilling was one of the most sensitive in the refuge. The vote was 56 yeas to 44 nays, with a three-fifths margin – or 60 votes – required to cut off debate and move toward passage of the legislation.
YEAS: Sen. Mel R. Martinez R-FL
NAYS: Sen. Bill Nelson D-FL

Senate Vote 4:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report: The Senate, on Dec. 21, accepted the House-Senate conference report after the provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was removed by a voice vote. The $453.5 billion bill also includes $29 billion in aid for hurricane ravaged areas and $3.8 billion for avian flu preparedness. The vote was 93 yeas to 0 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Mel R. Martinez R-FL, Sen. Bill Nelson D-FL

For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/866-4708, editor@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.

Congressional Votes for Pennsylvania the week of 12/16 - 12/22/2005

Copyright © Targeted News Service 2006

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

HOUSE VOTES:

House Vote 1:
Report on Secret Prisons: The House, on Dec. 16, agreed to a motion sponsored by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., to instruct the members appointed to the House-Senate conference on the Defense Authorization Act (H.R.1815) to accept the Senate amendment that allows Congressional oversight of clandestine detention facilities. Proponents argued that Congress has the responsibility to American citizens to verify that administration claims that detainees were not moved to countries where torture was allowed. Opponents said there is already oversight of the war on terror and that the agencies involved should spend their time waging it, not worrying about reports to Congress. The vote was 228 yeas to 187 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th)
NAYS: Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)

House Vote 2:
Restore Cuts to Food Stamps, Medicare and Education: The House, on Dec. 16, agreed to a motion by Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., to instruct members appointed to the House-Senate conference on the Budget Reconciliation Act (S. 1932) to accept the Senate version of that bill for food stamp eligibility, Medicare and Medicaid, Pell grants, child support enforcement payments and the foreign dumping offset. Proponents argued that the cuts would harm children, the poor and the elderly. Opponents argued that some of the programs were designed in the 1960s and needed overhaul rather than the perpetuation of an outmoded and inefficient system that does not achieve the desired results. The vote was 246 yeas to 175 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)
NAYS: Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th)

House Vote 3:
Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act (H.R. 5537): The house, on Dec. 16, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that strengthens border protection and enforcement of immigration laws. Proponents said the bill enhances border security, increases penalties for traffickers in illegal immigration and allows for easier deportation of illegal immigrants. Opponents said the bill does not give sufficient resources to the Department of Homeland Security to protect the border. They also said since the bill does not address the root causes such as the demand for low-wage domestic workers, of illegal immigration, it would not be effective in solving the problem. The vote was 239 yeas to 182 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)
NAYS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th)

House Vote 4:
Stem Cell Research: The House, on Dec. 17, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., that establishes a national registry for umbilical cord stem cells and increases funding for research clearing the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act (H.R. 2520) for the president, who signed in on Dec.. 20. There was no opposition to the bill, but several members noted that umbilical cord stem cells had limited use since they could not develop as embryonic cells could. The vote was 431 yeas to 0 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)
NOT VOTING: Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th)

House Vote 5:
Defense Authorization Act (H.R.1815), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report authorizing programs at the Defense Department. In addition to authorizing an additional 34,000 soldiers and a 3.1 percent pay raise, the $441.5 billion bill includes clauses banning torture of prisoners and sets standards for the rights of detainees. The vote was 374 yeas to 41 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)

House Vote 6:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report appropriating funds for the Defense Department. (Appropriations bills set the amount spent. Authorization bills set policies.) The $453.5 billion bill includes an additional $50 billion bridge fund for the military activity in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill included a controversial provision to allow oil and gas exploration on federal lands, specifically geared to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The bill includes $29 billion in aid for hurricane ravaged areas and $3.8 billion for avian flu preparedness. Proponents said the time was long past to enact the legislation for those fighting to defend the country. Opponents said that major legislation such as drilling in ANWR did not belong in the appropriations bill. They asserted that funding cuts such as close to $1 billion for No Child Left Behind were unacceptable. The vote was 308 yeas to 106 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)
NAYS: Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th)

House Vote 7:
Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report on a bill aimed at decreasing the federal deficit. Proponents said the bill was aimed at cutting increases in mandatory spending and was a step toward stemming the rise in the debt. Opponents said that the bill should have been combined with the tax cut package as such bills had been in the past. They argued that taken together the two would produce a $50 billion increase in the debt. The vote was 212 yeas to 206 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Charles W. Dent R-PA (15th), Rep. Phil English R-PA (3rd), Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick R-PA (8th), Rep. Jim Gerlach R-PA (6th), Rep. Melissa A. Hart R-PA (4th), Rep. Tim Murphy R-PA (18th), Rep. John E. Peterson R-PA (5th), Rep. Joseph R. Pitts R-PA (16th), Rep. Todd Russell Platts R-PA (19th), Rep. Don Sherwood R-PA (10th), Rep. Bill Shuster R-PA (9th), Rep. Curt Weldon R-PA (7th)
NAYS: Rep. Robert A. Brady D-PA (1st), Rep. Michael F. Doyle D-PA (14th), Rep. Chaka Fattah D-PA (2nd), Rep. Tim Holden D-PA (17th), Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski D-PA (11th), Rep. John P. Murtha D-PA (12th), Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz R-PA (13th)

SENATE VOTES:

Senate Vote 1:
Patriot Act (H.R. 3199), Conference Report Cloture Motion: The Senate, on Dec. 16, rejected a motion to end debate on the USA Patriot Act Reauthorization. Proponents said the bill was necessary to protect the U.S. against terrorists. Opponents said there had been abuses under the law and that the new bill did not contain adequate safeguards. The vote was 52 yeas to 47 nays, with a three-fifths margin – or 60 votes – required to cut off debate and move toward passage of the legislation.
YEAS: Sen. Rick Santorum R-PA, Sen. Arlen Specter R-PA

Senate Vote 2:
Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932), Conference Report: The Senate, on Dec. 21, agreed to the House-Senate conference report on a bill aimed at reducing the federal deficit. Vice President Cheney cast the deciding tie-breaking vote. Proponents said the bill reduces the deficit $40 billion. Opponents argued cuts to Medicaid, child support enforcement cuts, foster care were being made to fund a tax cut for the wealthy soon to be considered. The vote was 51 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Rick Santorum R-PA, Sen. Arlen Specter R-PA

Senate Vote 3:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report Cloture Motion: The Senate, on Dec. 21, rejected a motion to end debate on a bill for appropriations for the Defense Department with debate centering on an amendment that allowed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proponents argued that drilling in a small part of the refuge would help solve the U.S. energy problems, including reducing the military dependence on foreign energy sources. Opponents argued that it should not have been inserted into the defense appropriations bill and that the area proposed for drilling was one of the most sensitive in the refuge. The vote was 56 yeas to 44 nays, with a three-fifths margin – or 60 votes – required to cut off debate and move toward passage of the legislation.
YEAS: Sen. Rick Santorum R-PA, Sen. Arlen Specter R-PA

Senate Vote 4:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report: The Senate, on Dec. 21, accepted the House-Senate conference report after the provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was removed by a voice vote. The $453.5 billion bill also includes $29 billion in aid for hurricane ravaged areas and $3.8 billion for avian flu preparedness. The vote was 93 yeas to 0 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Rick Santorum R-PA, Sen. Arlen Specter R-PA

For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/866-4708, editor@targetednews.com; for information about the vote chart, contact Alicia Malone, managing editor, 801/391-6269, alicia@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.

Congressional Votes for Kansas for the week of 12/16 - 12/22/2005

Copyright © Targeted News Service 2006

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 -- Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.

HOUSE VOTES:

House Vote 1:
Report on Secret Prisons: The House, on Dec. 16, agreed to a motion sponsored by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., to instruct the members appointed to the House-Senate conference on the Defense Authorization Act (H.R.1815) to accept the Senate amendment that allows Congressional oversight of clandestine detention facilities. Proponents argued that Congress has the responsibility to American citizens to verify that administration claims that detainees were not moved to countries where torture was allowed. Opponents said there is already oversight of the war on terror and that the agencies involved should spend their time waging it, not worrying about reports to Congress. The vote was 228 yeas to 187 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd), Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st)
NAYS: Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)

House Vote 2:
Restore Cuts to Food Stamps, Medicare and Education: The House, on Dec. 16, agreed to a motion by Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., to instruct members appointed to the House-Senate conference on the Budget Reconciliation Act (S. 1932) to accept the Senate version of that bill for food stamp eligibility, Medicare and Medicaid, Pell grants, child support enforcement payments and the foreign dumping offset. Proponents argued that the cuts would harm children, the poor and the elderly. Opponents argued that some of the programs were designed in the 1960s and needed overhaul rather than the perpetuation of an outmoded and inefficient system that does not achieve the desired results. The vote was 246 yeas to 175 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd)
NAYS: Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st), Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)

House Vote 3:
Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act (H.R. 5537): The house, on Dec. 16, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that strengthens border protection and enforcement of immigration laws. Proponents said the bill enhances border security, increases penalties for traffickers in illegal immigration and allows for easier deportation of illegal immigrants. Opponents said the bill does not give sufficient resources to the Department of Homeland Security to protect the border. They also said since the bill does not address the root causes such as the demand for low-wage domestic workers, of illegal immigration, it would not be effective in solving the problem. The vote was 239 yeas to 182 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd), Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st), Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)

House Vote 4:
Stem Cell Research: The House, on Dec. 17, passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., that establishes a national registry for umbilical cord stem cells and increases funding for research clearing the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act (H.R. 2520) for the president, who signed in on Dec.. 20. There was no opposition to the bill, but several members noted that umbilical cord stem cells had limited use since they could not develop as embryonic cells could. The vote was 431 yeas to 0 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd), Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st), Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)

House Vote 5:
Defense Authorization Act (H.R.1815), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report authorizing programs at the Defense Department. In addition to authorizing an additional 34,000 soldiers and a 3.1 percent pay raise, the $441.5 billion bill includes clauses banning torture of prisoners and sets standards for the rights of detainees. The vote was 374 yeas to 41 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd), Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st), Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)

House Vote 6:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report appropriating funds for the Defense Department. (Appropriations bills set the amount spent. Authorization bills set policies.) The $453.5 billion bill includes an additional $50 billion bridge fund for the military activity in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill included a controversial provision to allow oil and gas exploration on federal lands, specifically geared to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The bill includes $29 billion in aid for hurricane ravaged areas and $3.8 billion for avian flu preparedness. Proponents said the time was long past to enact the legislation for those fighting to defend the country. Opponents said that major legislation such as drilling in ANWR did not belong in the appropriations bill. They asserted that funding cuts such as close to $1 billion for No Child Left Behind were unacceptable. The vote was 308 yeas to 106 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd), Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st), Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)

House Vote 7:
Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932), Conference Report: The House, on Dec. 19, accepted the House-Senate conference report on a bill aimed at decreasing the federal deficit. Proponents said the bill was aimed at cutting increases in mandatory spending and was a step toward stemming the rise in the debt. Opponents said that the bill should have been combined with the tax cut package as such bills had been in the past. They argued that taken together the two would produce a $50 billion increase in the debt. The vote was 212 yeas to 206 nays.
YEAS: Rep. Jerry Moran R-KS (1st), Rep. Jim R. Ryun R-KS (2nd), Rep. Todd Tiahrt R-KS (4th)
NAYS: Rep. Dennis Moore D-KS (3rd)

SENATE VOTES:

Senate Vote 1:
Patriot Act (H.R. 3199), Conference Report Cloture Motion: The Senate, on Dec. 16, rejected a motion to end debate on the USA Patriot Act Reauthorization. Proponents said the bill was necessary to protect the U.S. against terrorists. Opponents said there had been abuses under the law and that the new bill did not contain adequate safeguards. The vote was 52 yeas to 47 nays, with a three-fifths margin – or 60 votes – required to cut off debate and move toward passage of the legislation.
YEAS: Sen. Sam Brownback R-KS, Sen. Pat Roberts R-KS

Senate Vote 2:
Deficit Reduction Act (S. 1932), Conference Report: The Senate, on Dec. 21, agreed to the House-Senate conference report on a bill aimed at reducing the federal deficit. Vice President Cheney cast the deciding tie-breaking vote. Proponents said the bill reduces the deficit $40 billion. Opponents argued cuts to Medicaid, child support enforcement cuts, foster care were being made to fund a tax cut for the wealthy soon to be considered. The vote was 51 yeas to 50 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Sam Brownback R-KS, Sen. Pat Roberts R-KS

Senate Vote 3:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report Cloture Motion: The Senate, on Dec. 21, rejected a motion to end debate on a bill for appropriations for the Defense Department with debate centering on an amendment that allowed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proponents argued that drilling in a small part of the refuge would help solve the U.S. energy problems, including reducing the military dependence on foreign energy sources. Opponents argued that it should not have been inserted into the defense appropriations bill and that the area proposed for drilling was one of the most sensitive in the refuge. The vote was 56 yeas to 44 nays, with a three-fifths margin – or 60 votes – required to cut off debate and move toward passage of the legislation.
YEAS: Sen. Sam Brownback R-KS, Sen. Pat Roberts R-KS

Senate Vote 4:
Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 2863), Conference Report: The Senate, on Dec. 21, accepted the House-Senate conference report after the provision to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was removed by a voice vote. The $453.5 billion bill also includes $29 billion in aid for hurricane ravaged areas and $3.8 billion for avian flu preparedness. The vote was 93 yeas to 0 nays.
YEAS: Sen. Sam Brownback R-KS, Sen. Pat Roberts R-KS

For more information about Targeted News Service, please contact Myron Struck, editor, 703/866-4708, editor@targetednews.com; for information about the vote chart, contact Alicia Malone, managing editor, 801/391-6269, alicia@targetednews.com; for technical questions about transmission or for retransmissions, please contact Kevin Meek, kevin@targetednews.com.