| More

Major Votes in the 111th Congress

Major Votes in the 110th Congress | Look up a bill
All Votes in 2009 | All Votes in 2008 | All Votes in 2007

September 29, 2010:

The House considered a Senate amendment to H.R. 3081. The Senate's amendment provides for a "continuing resolution" to keep the federal government's agencies funded through December 3, 2010. The 2010 budget year ended on September 30, and none of the 12 regular appropriations bills have been approved, thus requiring this stop-gap legislation.
The House voted to concur in the Senate amendment by a vote of 228 - 194. I voted in opposition to this amendment because it failed to anticipate the spending reductions necessary if we are to begin addressing federal deficits well in excess of $1 trillion. President Obama signed H.R. 3081 into law on the day after the House vote.

The House considered a Senate amendment to H.R. 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This legislation would authorize Fiscal Year 2010 programs for the 16 agencies within the intelligence community.
The House voted to accept the Senate amendment by a vote of 244 - 188. I voted in opposition to this bill because it did not sufficiently address intelligence failures revealed in the Fort Hood shooting or provide greater coordination of intelligence activities. The legislation also did not prohibit bringing Guantanamo Bay detainees into the United States, despite the bipartisan vote earlier in the year to prohibit the transfers.

The House considered H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. This legislation would expand eligibility for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund as well as the Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, both of which provide benefits to 9/11 first responders and ground-zero community members.
The House passed H.R. 847 by a vote of 268-160. I understand the sensitivity and personal passion surrounding this issue, and while I agreed with proponents of this bill that we must ensure that first responders and community members impacted by 9/11 receive appropriate treatment and benefits, I was concerned that the bill did not include enough checks to prevent rampant fraud and abuse. Therefore, I voted against the bill.

The House considered S. 3729, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010. This legislation authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2011 through 2013 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
S. 3729 was considered under the "Suspension of the Rules" procedure requiring a two-thirds vote, and passed by a vote of 304 - 118. I voted in opposition to this bill because I was concerned about the increase of more than $270 million in government spending for 2011, which is in addition to the significant increase in funding for 2010 and the stimulus funding provided for NASA.

The House considered H.R. 2378, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act. This legislation would increase the ability of the U.S. Department of Commerce to consider currency manipulation when calculating countervailing duties in unfair trade cases. It is widely believed that China, in particular, acts to keep its currency undervalued.
The House adopted H.R. 2378 by a vote of 348 - 79. I voted in favor of passage of the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act.

September 23, 2010:

The House considered a Senate amendment to H.R. 5297, the Small Business Tax and Lending Act. The amendment provides for a variety of efforts designed to promote hiring by small businesses. Its primary feature is a $30 billion fund to finance capital loans to banks with less than $10 billion in assets in order to encourage small business lending.
The House voted to accept the Senate amendment, thus sending the legislation to President Obama, by a vote of 237 - 187. I voted in opposition to this bill because it balanced its tax benefits for some businesses with tax increases on others. Additionally, loans financed by the $30 billion fund feature below-market interest rates, but carry no explicit requirement that banks receiving such support increase small business lending.

September 16, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 4785, the Rural Energy Savings Program Act. This bill would create two new energy efficiency programs to provide low-interest federal loans to consumers to finance energy efficiency upgrades. The bill would authorize a total of $5 billion in spending over five years.
The House passed H.R. 4785 by a vote of 240 - 172. I voted against the bill out of concern that it authorizes new spending at a time when the federal government is facing enormous deficits and, additionally, that the programs partially duplicate existing federal programs to promote energy efficiency.

August 10, 2010:

The House considered the Senate's amendments to H.R. 1586. The amended bill provides $26 billion in aid to states, $10 billion in the form of education funding and $16.1 billion in Medicaid assistance.
The House passed H.R. 1586 by a vote of 247 - 161. I voted against the bill out of concern that it uses permanent tax increases to pay for temporary spending needs and also cuts funding to important food assistance programs.

July 30, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5851, the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2010, a bill to provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.
The House passed H.R. 5851 by a vote of 315 - 93. I voted in favor of this legislation. The bill is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered H.R. 3534, The CLEAR (Cutting Loose Energy and American Resources) Act. H.R. 3534 would implement a number of policies in response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, including restructuring the Minerals Management Service (MMS), implementing new regulations on offshore oil and gas development, lifting the liability cap in the case of spills, providing funding for the Land Water Conservation Fund as well as the Historic Preservation Fund, and establishing programs related to Gulf Coast restoration.
The House passed H.R. 3534 by a vote of 209 - 193. I voted against this legislation out of concern that some of the regulations it includes would inhibit domestic energy production. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

July 29, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5850, the Fiscal Year 2011 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act. This bill would appropriate $67.4 billion in discretionary spending for these two federal departments.
H.R. 5850 passed the House by a vote of 251 - 167. I voted against passage of this bill due to concerns with these spending levels.

July 28, 2010:

The House voted on H.R. 5822, the Military Construction and VA Appropriations Act of 2011, which would appropriate funds to the Department of Defense for FY2011.
The House agreed to the bill by a vote of 411 - 6. I voted in favor of this legislation, which is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered H.R. 5827, the Bankruptcy Firearms Protection Act. This legislation would allow individuals going through bankruptcy to exempt personal firearms valued at up to $3,000 from the property taken over by the bankruptcy trustee.
This legislation was considered under the "Suspension of the Rules" procedure requiring a two-thirds vote. H.R. 5827 was passed by the House by a vote of 307 - 113. I voted with the majority of the House in favor of this legisation.

July 27, 2010:

The House considered a motion to accept the Senate amendment to a House-passed bill (H.R. 4899) providing a supplemental appropriation of $58.8 billion, of which $42 billion is designated for the Department of Defense, primarily for military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The remaining funds are designated for oil cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico, FEMA to cover the cost of past disasters, and compensation for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
The House agreed to this Senate amendment by a vote of 308 - 114. I voted with the majority in favor of the amendment. President Obama signed H.R. 4899 into law on July 29, 2010.

July 22, 2010:

The House voted to concur in a Senate amendment to H.R. 4213 which would extend eligibility for emergency unemployment benefits. This eligibility expired on June 2, 2010. The Senate's amendment would extend the program through November 30, 2010, and provide retroactive benefits dating to June 2.
The House agreed to the amendment by a vote of 272 - 152. I voted in favor of extending eligibility for these benefits. President Obama signed this legislation into law later this day.

July 21, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 4380, United States Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010. This legislation provided for the temporary reduction or elimination of many import duties on products used by American manufacturers but not available from domestic producers. This provides important tax relief for U.S. manufacturing companies competing in the global market.
H.R. 4380 was considered under "suspension of the rules," a procedure requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. This bill was approved by a vote of 378 - 43. I voted for passage of this legislation.

July 15, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5114, the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010. This legislation provides for a five-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, a program that has been operating under multiple short term extensions. Additionally, this bill would make important progress toward enacting many badly needed reforms of the National Flood Insurance Program.
H.R. 5114 was passed by the House by a vote of 329 - 90. I voted with the majority in favor of H.R. 5114.

July 1, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5618, the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2010. This bill provides for a retroactive extension of expired emergency unemployment benefits from June 2 to November 30, 2010 and includes provisions for 100 percent federal funding of the extended benefits.
H.R. 5618 passed the House by a vote of 270 -153. I voted with the majority in support of this unemployment benefits extension.
The House amended H.R. 4899, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010. This bill provided supplemental funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as additional emergency spending for FEMA, disaster assistance to Haiti, and a variety of other measures. The House considered four amendments to the legislation:
The first amendment added $21 billion in discretionary spending for education, only a portion of which was offset. I voted against this amendment, which passed by a vote of 239 - 182, because I did not feel this additional spending should be included in a war supplemental funding bill.
The second amendment would have struck military funding for Afghanistan from the bill. I voted against this amendment, which failed by a vote of 25 - 376.
The third amendment would have limited war funds for Afghanistan to withdrawal-only activities of troops, thereby blocking the President's surge strategy. I voted against this amendment, which failed by a vote of 100 - 321.
The fourth amendment would have required a new National Intelligence Assessment (NIE) on Afghanistan by January 31, 2011. Additionally, it would have required a plan by April 4, 2011, on the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Lastly, the amendment would have restricted fiscal year 2011 funds from being used in manner inconsistent with a July 2011 troop withdrawal from Afghanistan unless Congress subsequently votes next year to authorize funds for another purpose. I voted against this amendment, which failed by a vote of 162 - 260.

June 30, 2010:

The House considered the conference report on H.R. 4173, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, legislation to overhaul the regulatory framework of the financial services sector.
The conference report was adopted by a vote of 237 - 192. I voted in opposition to the conference report because I felt the legislation failed to address the the problems surrounding the federal housing finance agencies which were at the center of the 2008 housing market collapse, and because it allows for the potential of taxpayer bailouts of private sector financial companies.

June 24, 2010:

The House passed H.R. 3962, the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010. This legislation delayed a 21 percent cut in Medicare payment rates for physicians through November 2010.
H.R. 3962 passed the House by a vote of 417-1 and was signed into law by President Obama on June 25. I voted in favor of this legislation.

June 10, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5072, the Federal Housing Administration Reform Act of 2010. This legislation is intended to address financial and structural concerns about HUD's Federal Housing Administration's mortgage guarantee program that have arisen as the agency has taken a greater role in mortgage finance.
H.R. 5072 passed the House by a vote of 406 - 4. I voted with the majority in favor of approving this legislation.

May 28, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. This legislation would authorize $567 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.
H.R. 5136 passed the House by a vote of 229 - 186. I voted against this legislation because it contained certain unnecessary spending, which was opposed by the Defense Department, and premature policy changes (see below). This bill is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered an amendment to H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, which would repeal the 1993 law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Rep. Murphy's amendment passed the House by a vote of 234 - 194. I voted against this amendment as I believe it is premature to change the policy before the Department of Defense concludes its report on how it would be implemented. H.R. 5136 passed the House later in the day by a vote of 229 - 186 and is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered an amendment to H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, which would strike funding for the Joint Strike Fighter's Alternate Engine Program.
Rep. Pingree's amendment failed in the House by a vote of 193 - 231. I voted in support of this amendment because our current federal deficit does not allow a three billion dollar expenditure on an additional engine that the Department of Defense has deemed unnecessary. H.R. 5136 passed the House later in the day by a vote of 229 - 186 and is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered an amendment to H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, regarding the KC-X aerial refueling aircraft (tanker) program or any successor program. The amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to consider any "unfair competitive advantage" offerors possess on contract bids.
Rep. Inslee's amendment passed the House by a vote of 410 - 8. I voted in favor of this amendment so that European subsidies to Airbus are considered when tanker bids are evauluated by the Department. H.R. 5136 passed the House later in the day by a vote of 229 - 186 and is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered a block of amendments to H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The block of amendments included an amendment I cosponsored to transfer the successful Troops to Teachers (TTT) Program from the Education Department to the Defense Department and make important changes to ensure it will continue to provide opportunities for veterans transitioning into second careers as educators.
The block of amendments passed the House by a vote of 423 - 1. I voted in favor of the amendments. H.R. 5136 passed the House later that day by a vote of 229 - 186 and is now pending in the Senate.
The House considered the Senate amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. In the first of two votes on this amendment, the House adopted the bulk of the bill's provisions, including an extension of unemployment benefits, extensions of various expired tax benefits, a summer jobs program, funds to settle two class action lawsuits against the federal government, reauthorizing provisions to provide for government subsidies for a variety of private-activity bonds, as well as permanent tax increases for certain business groups.
The House voted 215 - 204 to approve these provisions. I voted against adoption because I felt the spending, much of it over the next 12 - 18 months, would add tens of billions of dollars to the federal deficit.
The House considered the second of its two votes on H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, on postponing a reduction in Medicare reimbursements for phyiscians until 2012 and increasing these reimbursements 2.2 percent for the remainder of 2010 and 1 percent for 2011.
The House voted to support these increases by a vote of 245 - 171. I voted against the increases because these spending provisions were not accompanied by offsets to reduce the impact on the deficit.
The House considered H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. This legislation authorizes $48 billion over three years for the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational programs.
The House passed this bill by a vote of 262 - 150. While I strongly support basic research and development and STEM education programs, I voted against this legislation because, at a time when we have high federal deficits, it roughly doubles the authorization funding level from the 2007 version of COMPETES, while failing to take into account the $5 billion these agencies received in the Stimulus bill. It also creates numerous new and unnecessary or duplicate programs.

May 6, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. The bill would create several programs to provide rebates to consumers who retrofit their homes to achieve energy savings.
H.R. 5019 passed the House by a vote of 246 - 161. I voted against this legislation because it would authorize over $6 billion in new spending at a time when the federal government is facing significant budget deficits. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

April 29, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. This legislation authorizes a federally sanctioned plebiscite to determine the political status of the island, which is broken up into a two-ballot process. The results would then be transmitted to the President and Congress, though no action by Congress is required in response.
The House passed this bill by a vote of 223 - 169, 1 Present. I voted against this legislation because Puerto Rico has always had the right to hold a national referendum to determine its political status and has done so, without any interference from Congress. Additionally, this process allows for one political status to win the plebiscite with only a plurality rather than a majority, which can then be unfairly used as a mandate for Puerto Rico to adopt that status.

April 28, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5013, the IMPROVE Acquisition Act of 2010. H.R. 5013 implemented a number of improvements to the defense acquisition process for procurement of goods and services other than weapon systems (information technology, for example).
H.R. 5013 passed the House by a vote of 417-3. I voted in favor of this legislation. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

April 27, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 5146, a bill to provide that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2011.
I voted with the majority of the House in passing this legislation by a vote of 402 - 15. The Senate passed the bill the next day, and President Obama signed H.R. 5146 into law on May 14, 2010.

April 15, 2010:

The House considered the Senate amendment to H.R. 4851, the Continuing Extensions Act of 2010. H.R. 4851 provided a two-month extension to the emergency federal component providing additional weeks of eligibility for unemployment benefits. The bill also provided extensions of COBRA health insurance premium subsidies, the national flood insurance program, and an adjustment to the amount physicians are paid by Medicare.
H.R. 4851 passed the House by a vote of 289 - 112. I voted in favor of this legislation which was signed into law by President Obama later in the day.
The House considered H.R. 4715, the Clean Estuaries Act of 2010. This legislation reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program (NEP). NEP is intended to promote comprehensive evaluation and planning efforts to protect estuaries in the United States that are deemed to be threatened by pollution, development, or overuse. The bill also increases the authorized funding level for the program from $35 million to $50 million.
The House approved the bill by a vote of 278-128. While I am supportive of efforts to protect our nation's estuaries, I voted against this bill because it increases the authorized funding level for the program at a time when our nation is facing record deficits. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

March 21, 2010:

The House considered, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). This legislation was previously passed by the Senate and would overhaul the U.S. health care system.
The House approved the bill by a vote of 219-212. I voted against this bill because I believe the bill goes about reform in the wrong way, will cost far too much, and will put too much power in the hands of the federal government. The legislation is now law.
The House considered the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872). This legislation would amend the just-approved health care reform law.
The House approved the bill by a vote of 220-211. Following this vote the Senate made technical amendments to the bill. Therefore, the House had to approve these changes and passed the final version of H.R. 4872 on March 25th by a vote of 220-207. I voted against the "reconciliation" bill both times because of the health care provisions. The bill is now law.

March 12, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009, which would develop a comprehensive strategy led by the EPA to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including regional action plans to address affected areas.
This bill passed the House by a vote of 251-103. I voted in favor of this bill. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

March 10, 2010:

The House considered H.Con.Res. 248, which would direct the President, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, to remove the U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan: (1) by no later than 30 days after the resolution is adopted; or (2) if the President determines that it is not safe to remove them by such date, by no later than December 31, 2010, or such earlier date that the President determines that they can be safely removed. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
The resolution failed by a vote of 65-356. I voted against this resolution because I felt that it would be premature to withdraw troops.

March 4, 2010:

The House considered further changes to a Senate amendment to H.R. 2847, legislation to provide tax incentives to employers to hire new employees and to retain recently-hired workers.
The amendment passed the House by a vote 217 - 201 and returned the bill to the Senate for further consideration. I voted against this amendment because I felt its provisions would do little to encourage hiring. I would much rather have seen Congress consider tax incentives which would encourage businesses to make anticipated investments sooner than later. Such new investments would foster economic activity and promote job creation.

March 3, 2010:

The House considered H.R. 4247, the Keeping All Students Safe Act. This legislation would set minimum federal standards for the use of seclusion and restraint in schools receiving federal funds.
The House approved this legislation by a vote of 262-153. I voted against this bill. While I support efforts to protect children from harm, I voted against this legislation because the bill ignores the work that is going on in the states and creates a one-size-fits-all framework. I strongly believe that these policies need to be developed at the local level with consultation with parents, teachers, and administrators.

February 26, 2010:

On February 26, 2010, the House considered H.R. 2701, a bill to authorize funding for the intelligence community for fiscal year 2010. The bill also included a number of changes to existing intelligence policies, including policies related to detainee interrogation and the guidelines governing when the president must notify Members of Congress about covert actions.
The House approved this legislation by a vote of 235 - 168. The bill will now go to conference committee to resolve differences with the Senate-passed version of this legislation (S. 1494). I voted against this bill because of concerns that it prioritizes criminal prosecution of terrorists over intelligence collection that could help prevent future terrorist attacks.

February 25, 2010:

On February 25, 2010, the House considered H.R. 3961, which would extend several expiring provisions of the PATRIOT Act.
The House approved this legislation by a vote of 315 - 97. I voted in favor of this bill to ensure that law enforcement and intelligence agents have the tools needed to protect our national security and continue the fight against terrorism.

February 24, 2010:

On February 24, 2010, the House considered H.R. 4626, the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act which would repeal health insurers' exemption from federal antitrust laws.
The House approved this legislation by a vote 406 - 19. I voted in favor of this bill.

December 16, 2009:

On December 16, 2009, the House considered H.R. 4314, legislation to raise the federal debt limit to $12.4 trillion, an increase of $290 billion.
The House approved this debt limit increase by a vote of 218 - 214. I voted against this legislation. I recognize that raising the limit is necessary to provide the Treasury with the authority to sell bonds, I voted no because the bill failed to include any meaningful spending reform provisions. The increase was signed into law by the President on December 28, 2009.
On December 16, 2009, the House considered H.R. 3326, legislation that would appropriate $636.4 billion in discretionary funding for the Defense Department in Fiscal Year 2010.
The House approved this legislation by a vote of 395-34. I voted for this legislation as I recognize that it is necessary to provide the Department of Defense with the funding to maintain current operations. In addition, this legislation prevents a 21 percent cut to Medicare physician payments for January and February, raises military pay 3.4%, extends expiring provisions of the anti-terrorism law known as the Patriot Act, and provides short-term extensions for a variety of federal programs.
On December 16, 2009, the House debated H.R. 2847, legislation to address the impact of double-digit unemployment. H.R. 2847 included provisions for infrastructure spending, additional aid to state governments to help retain employees, and the extension of several provisions providing aid to individuals and businesses originally enacted in the economic stimulus bill. The spending was partially offset by the transfer of $75 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
H.R. 2847 passed the House by a vote of 217 - 212. I voted against the bill because it was mostly a rehash of stimulus package provisions that failed to revive our economy and because it spent TARP funds which were previously designated for deficit reduction.

December 11, 2009:

On December 11, 2009, the House concluded debate on H.R. 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009. This legislation would enact a fundamental restructuring of federal regulation of financial markets.
The House passed H.R. 4173 by a vote of 223-202. I voted against passage of this legislation because it would substitute government control of financial institutions for positive forward-looking reform of our regulatory framework. I did, however, support the unsuccessful Republican substitute which would have taken us in the direction of positive reform.

December 10, 2009:

On December 10, 2009, the House considered H.R. 3288, a bill which included the Fiscal Year 2010 funding for the federal departments and agencies funded by the six regulator appropriations bills that did not get enacted before the end of Fiscal Year 2009.
The House approved this bill on a vote of 221 - 202. I voted against passage because this bill called for significant increases in federal spending at a time that our government is running unprecedented budget deficits. H.R. 3288 was signed into law by President Obama on December 16, 2009.

December 9, 2009:

On December 9, 2009, the House debated H.R. 4213, the Tax Extenders Act of 2009. This bill extended a number of popular preferences which were set to expire at the end of 2009. The provisions which would be extended by this bill include the taxpayer election to deduct state and local general sales taxes, a tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses, and a tax deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers.
The House passed H.R. 4213 by a vote of 241 - 181. While I support many of the tax reducing provisions of this bill, I voted against passage because the temporary extension of tax benefits for some was offset by a permanent increase for other taxpayers.

December 3, 2009:

On December 3, 2009, the House considered H.R. 4154, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009. This bill would make permanent the 2009 levels of the estate tax. Under this bill, estates under $3.5 million (double for married couples) would be taxed at a top rate of 45 percent.
The House approved H.R. 4154 by a vote of 225 - 200. I voted against this legislation because it failed to index for inflation the exemption amount. This oversight would result in a diminished exemption as inflation cuts into its value. Such reform is not a permanent solution.

November 19, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act. This legislation would create a new Medicare payment formula for physician services and block a 21 percent cut to physician payments scheduled to take effect in January 2010. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office scored H.R. 3961 as increasing the deficit by $210 billion.
H.R. 3961 passed the House by a vote of 243-183. While I support legislative efforts to prevent the scheduled cuts in Medicare payments to physicians and reform the payment formula, I voted against this bill because it was not paid for and replaces the flawed SGR formula with an equally flawed payment formula.

November 7, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act. This legislation would overhaul the nation's health care system and require most individuals to buy insurance by 2013.
H.R. 3962 passed the House by a vote of 220-215. I certainly agree it is time to fix the health care system in the United States so that all Americans have quality, affordable health care; however, I voted against H.R. 3962 because I believe it takes America in the wrong direction by instituting reforms that will increase health care spending which will have a devastating effect on our economy, result in the government coming between the patient and doctor relationship, and do little to reform the system to lower future health care costs.

November 5, 2009:

On November 5, 2009, the House considered the Senate amendments to H.R. 3548, a bill to provide for a further extension of unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed and extend the deadline for claiming the $8,000 credit available for first-time homebuyers. The bill also extended the credit to allow current homeowners a $6,500 credit on the purchase of a home.
H.R. 3548 passed the House on a vote of 403 - 12. I voted in favor of passage, and this legislation was signed into law on November 6, 2009.

November 4, 2009:

On November 4, 2009, the House considered H.R. 3639, the Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009. This bill would move up the effective date of the credit card consumer protections passed into law earlier this year to December 1, 2009.
H.R. 3639 was passed by the House by a vote of 331 - 92. I voted in favor of this bill.

October 29, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2996, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Interior and Environment Appropriations. This legislation also contained provisions for a Continuing Resolution (CR), which extends funding for programs included in appropriation bills that have yet to be passed. This bill would provide $32.24 billion in spending for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
H.R. 2996 was passed by the House by a vote of 247-178. I voted against this legislation because it increases spending from FY 2009 by 4.6 billion, or 17% above the previous years funding. In addition, agencies funded in this appropriation also received an additional $11.2 billion in supplemental spending, mainly through the stimulus package.
The House considered H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, a bill to reauthorize and modify a variety of loan programs operated by the Small Business Administration, including the SBA 7(a) loan guarantee program.
H.R. 3854 was approved by the House by vote of 389 - 32. I voted in favor of passage of this legislation.

October 26, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2892, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriation. This bill would provide $44.1 billion in spending for the Homeland Security Department and related activities.
H.R. 2892 was passed by the House by a vote of 247-178. I voted against this legislation because it increases spending from FY 2009 by 4.6 billion, or 17% above the previous years funding. In addition, agencies funded in this appropriation also received an additional $11.2 billion in supplemental spending, mainly through the stimulus package.

October 23, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. This bill would authorize approximately $10 billion for U.S Coast Guard (USCG) operations, including $8.6 billion in discretionary funding for ongoing USCG operations.
H.R. 3619 was passed by the House by a vote of 385-11. I voted in favor of this bill.

October 22, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, which would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to research and develop solar technologies and create a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee to examine current and future needs in solar technology.
H.R. 3585 was approved by the House by a vote of 310-106. While I certainly support funding to develop and deploy alternative energy technologies, I had concerns with the high funding levels authorized in this legislation and with the amount of transparency required for awarding projects.

October 15, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2892, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriation. This bill would provide $44.1 billion in spending for the Homeland Security Department and related activities.
H.R. 2892 was passed by the House by a vote of 307-114. I voted against this legislation because it increases spending from FY 2009 by $595 million. In addition, agencies funded in this appropriation also received an additional $3 billion in supplemental spending, mainly through the stimulus package.

October 14, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3371, the Airline and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. This bill would increase pilot training and certification, and strengthen safety standards for pilots. The legislation was developed following evidence of lapses in pilot training and standards following the February crash in Buffalo, NY, of an aircraft operated by a regional airline.
H.R. 3371 was passed by the House by a vote of 409-11. I voted for this legislation and, as Ranking Republican on the House Aviation Subcommittee, was pleased to be an original cosponsor of the bill.

October 8, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2647, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization. This bill would authorize $680.2 billion in discretionary spending for defense programs. It also provides funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
H.R. 2647 was passed by the House by a vote of 281-146. I voted against this legislation because the conference report also included language that extends federal hate crime laws to cover offenses motivated by a victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. This legislation is not the appropriate vehicle for extending federal hate crime laws. I previously voted for this legislation before the extension of the hate crimes legislation was added during the conference report was offered.

October 7, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2997, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations. This appropriations bill contains funding for the Agriculture Department. It also provides funding for Food and Drug Administration.
H.R. 2997 was passed by the House by a vote of 263-162. I voted against this legislation because it would increase discretionary spending over $2.4 billion from Fiscal Year 2009 levels, an increase of 11.9%. In addition, the agencies receiving this appropriation already received $6.1 billion this year in emergency stimulus spending.

October 1, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3183, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations. This appropriations bill contains funding for energy and water development projects. It also provides funding for Energy Department programs, Army Corps of Engineer projects, and the Interior Department.
H.R. 3183 was passed by the House by a vote of 308-114. I voted against this legislation because it would increase spending over $204 million from Fiscal Year 2009 levels. While this is an increase of less than one percent, the agencies receiving this appropriation already received $57.8 billion this year in emergency stimulus spending.

September 25, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2918, the conference report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2010 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. This appropriations bill contains funding for the House and Senate, as well as various legislative branch agencies and the operations and maintenance of the U.S. Capital Complex.
H.R. 2918 was passed by the House by a vote of 217 - 190. I voted against this legislation because House leaders included a "Continuing Resolution" to fund the government agencies for which regular appropriations have not been completed. This procedure prohibited members from offering alternative motions concerning this temporary funding measure.

September 24, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3631 the Medicare Premium Fairness Act. H.R. 3631 would prevent any Medicare beneficiary from having their Part B premium increased in 2010 because of preliminary indications that seniors may not receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their Social Security benefits next year.
H.R. 3631 was approved by the House by a vote of 406-18. I voted in favor of this bill.

September 23, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3617, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2009. This bill would extend for three months the federal highway, transit and safety programs. The current authorization expires on September 30, 2009.
H.R. 3617 passed the House by a vote of 335-85. I voted for the extension because these critical federal infrastructure programs need to be extended as Congress continues to work on complex, long-term reauthorization bills.
The House considered H.R. 3607, the Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act. This bill would extend for three months the operating authority of the FAA, funding for the Airport Improvement Program, and safety programs. The current extension expires September 30, 2009.
H.R. 3607 passed the House by a voice vote. I supported passage since the House passed its long-term reauthorization bill in May, but the Senate has not yet acted on its reauthroization bill.

September 22, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009, to extend for an additional 13 weeks eligibility for unemployment compensation in states where the rate of joblessness exceeds 8.5 percent.
The House approved H.R. 3548 by a vote of 331 - 83. I voted in favor of the bill.

September 17, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3221 the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. HR.3221 eliminates the Federal Family Education Loan Program and moves the origination of all federal student loans to the Direct Loan Program. For over two decades I have championed the Direct Loan Program as the most efficient, stable, and cost effective federal student loan program. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that switching to 100 percent direct lending will save approximately $87 billion. The legislation directs these savings to help students graduate with less debt, make college more affordable, and reduce the deficit.
H.R. 3221 was approved by the House by a vote of 253-171. I voted in favor of this bill.

September 15, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 22, the United States Postal Service Financial Relief Act of 2009. This bill would allow the U.S. Postal Service to finance the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund as workers retire, instead of requiring forestallment, lowering the amount the USPS is required to contribute in fiscal 2009 from $5.4 billion to $1.4 billion.
H.R. 22 passed the House by a vote of 388 - 32. I cosponsored and voted in favor of this legislation to maintain fundamental mail service and help resolve the financial crisis facing the USPS.

July 31, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3269, the Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act of 2009. This bill would require nonbinding shareholder votes on executive compensation and allow federal financial institutions regulators to have broad control over employee compensation at all regulated financial institutions.
H.R. 3269 passed the House by a vote of 237 - 185. I voted against this legislation because its financial services regulation provisions continue the ill-considered trend of government involvement in private business matters.
The House considered H.R. 3435 Making Supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program Act. This legislation would authorize the transfer of $2 billion in funds from the Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Cash for Clunkers federal program.
The House approved H.R. 3435 by a vote of 316 - 109. I voted with the majority in favor of H.R. 3435.

July 24, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3293 the fiscal year 2010 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies Appropriations Act.
The House approved H.R. 3293 by a vote of 264 - 163. I voted against this bill because it increased spending 7 percent above the FY2009 level. Furthermore, agencies receiving funding under this bill already received $127 billion in the stimulus bill.

July 23, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3288, a bill making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, HUD, and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2010.
H.R. 3288 was approved by the House by a vote of 256 - 168. I voted for passage of this legislation.

July 22, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2920, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act, a bill to bring government spending under control and to reduce the federal deficit. Under this legislation, new spending or tax reductions would be balanced by other spending reductions or revenue increases to prevent an increase in the deficit. This standard would be enforced by an across-the-board reduction of all non-protected spending.
H.R. 2920 was passed by the House by a vote of 265 - 166. I voted with the majority in favor of H.R. 2920.

July 17, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3183 the fiscal year 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The House approved H.R. 3183 by a vote of 320 - 97. I voted against this bill because it increased spending $46 million above the FY2009 level. Furthermore, agencies receiving funding under this bill already received $58.7 billion in emergency funding, mainly from the stimulus bill.

July 16, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3170, the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. This legislation provides funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the District of Columbia, the federal Judiciary, and a variety of independent federal agencies and commissions.
H.R. 3170 was approved by the House by a vote of 219 - 208. Rep. Tom Petri voted against this legislation because it would increase federal spending on these activities by 6 percent over non-emergency levels in Fiscal Year 2009, thus adding to our escalating deficits.

July 10, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 3082 the Fiscal 2010 Military Construction and the Department Of Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill which would provide $77.9 billion in fiscal 2010 for military construction, Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies.
The House approved H.R. 3082 by a vote of 415 - 3. I voted in favor of this legislation.

July 9, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2997 the Fiscal 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill which would provide $123.8 billion in fiscal 2010 for the Agriculture Department and related agencies.
The House approved H.R. 2997 by a vote of 266 - 160. I voted against this bill because it increased spending 11.9 percent above fiscal year 2009 levels and agencies funded through the bill already received $6.1 billion in supplemental appropriations from the stimulus bill approved earlier this year.
The House considered H.R. 3081 the Fiscal 2010 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill which would provide $48.8 billion in fiscal 2010 for the State Department, foreign assistance and other international activities.
The House approved H.R. 3081 by a vote of 318 - 106. I voted against this bill because it increased spending 33 percent, or $12.2 billion, above fiscal year 2009 levels.

July 8, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act. This legislation would reauthorize and make improvements to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programs.
H.R. 2965 was approved by the House by a vote of 386 - 41. While supporting these and other small business programs, Rep. Petri voted against this bill because consideration of a proposed amendment to ensure proper funding for true small business concerns was blocked by the rule enacted by the House leadership.

June 26, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2454 the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The legislation creates a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gasses in which polluters must buy credits to pollute.
The House approved H.R. 2454 by a vote of 219 - 212. I voted against H.R. 2454 because while I believe global warming is a serious issue, I was particularly concerned that the bill would disproportionally affect Midwest industries and consumers compared to other areas of the country.
The House considered H.R. 2996 the Fiscal 2010 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill which would provide $32.4 billion in fiscal 2010 for the Interior Department, the EPA and related agencies.
The House approved H.R. 2996 by a vote of 254 - 173. I voted against this bill because it increased spending 17 percent above fiscal year 2009 levels and agencies funded through the bill already received $10.9 billion in supplemental appropriations from the stimulus bill approved earlier this year.

June 25, 2009:

The House considered HR 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. This bill provides $550.4 billion for standard operations of the DoD (and $2.5 billion for Department of Energy national security programs), as well as $130 billion for funding ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The House approved H.R. 2647 by a vote of 389 - 22. I voted in favor of this legislation.

June 24, 2009:

The House considered HR 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2010. This bill provides $42.6 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, including the Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The House approved H.R. 2892 by a vote of 389 - 37. I voted against this legislation as it contains a total of $42.6 billion, which is $595 million above FY 2009. In addition, agencies funded through the bill received approximately $3 billion in supplemental appropriations outside the normal FY 2009 appropriations process, the vast majority of which came from the "stimulus" bill.

June 19, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2918, the Fiscal Year 2010 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. This bill provides a total of $4.7 billion for both Houses of Congress and all legislative branch agencies.
The House approved H.R. 2918 by a vote of 232 - 178. I opposed H.R. 2918 because it increases funding for legislative branch operations by 6.3 percent, or $300 million, over that provided in 2009.

June 18, 2009:

The House consisdered H.R. 2847, the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act, which would appropriate $64.3 billion.
This bill was passed by a vote of 259 - 157. I voted against H.R. 2847 because it appropriated $6.8 billion (11.7 percent) more than was enacted for 2009. With federal deficits at record highs, Congress needs to show more spending restraint.
The House considered an amendment to HR 2847, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The amendment would bar the use of funds in the bill to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The House rejected this amendment to H.R. 2647 by a vote of 212 - 213. I voted in favor of this legislation.

June 16, 2009:

The House considered HR 2346, the Fiscal Year 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Bill. This bill provides a total of $96.717 billion in emergency supplemental funding for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill appropriates $81.3 billion for the ongoing war and intelligence operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $15.4 billion for military construction, foreign assistance, flu pandemic preparedness, and a number of other spending items.
The House approved H.R. 2346 by a vote of 226 - 202. I voted against this legislation as other spending items were inserted that should have gone through the normal legislative process. This bill contains $5.8 billion (or 7 percent) more than the President's request for ongoing war operations and $6 billion (or 63 percent) more than the President's request for other spending.

June 11, 2009:

The House considered HR 1886, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009 or the PEACE Act of 2009. The bill authorizes $1.5 billion annually between Fiscal Years 2010 and 2013, for economic and developmental assistance to Pakistan. The bill also authorizes $300 million in Fiscal Year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary through 2013, in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism assistance.
The House approved H.R. 1886 by a vote of 234 - 185. I voted against this legislation as it failed to ensure congressional oversight and notification in cases of changes in Pakistan while costing $9.1 billion over five years (according to the Congressional Budget Office).

May 20, 2009:

The House agreed to amendments made by the Senate to H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights, including the addition of language which I had introduced in the House to provide greater transparency where credit card lenders and universities enter into arrangements allowing lenders access to students.
The House voted 361 - 64 to send H.R. 627 to the President, who signed the bill into law on May 22, 2009. As previously, I voted in favor of passage of H.R. 627.
The House agreed to amendments made by the Senate to H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights, including barring the Interior Department from prohibiting individuals from possessing a firearm in national parks or wildlife refuges in compliance with state laws.
The House voted 297-147 to send H.R. 627 to the President, who signed the bill into law on May 22, 2009.
The House debated H.R. 2352, the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009. This legislation would reauthorize programs supporting small business entrepreneurs operated by the Small Business Administration.
H.R. 2352 was passed by the House by a vote of 406 - 15. I voted in favor of this legislation.

May 19, 2009:

The House considered S. 896, the Senate's version of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. This bill would provide enhanced oversight of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, legal protection for mortgage servicers seeking to modify mortgage loans in an effort to avoid bankruptcy, and certain improvements to the previously enacted Hope for Homeowners program.
The House agreed to the Senate changes by a vote of 357 - 54. I supported passage of this bill which was signed into law on May 20, 2009. While I opposed House passage of the earlier version of this legislation (H.R. 1106), I was able to support S. 896 because provisions to allow bankruptcy judges to make changes to existing mortgages were removed.

May 14, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 275 - 155. I voted against this legislation because I believe that the construction of schools is primarily a state and local responsibility. Congress should first fully fund the current federal education programs, including those meant for the neediest and disabled students.
The House considered H.R. 2346, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, a bill to provide funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
H.R. 2346 passed the House by a vote of 386 - 60. Although I fully support funding for our active duty troops, I voted against this legislation because it is time to include these such funding within the regular appropriations and budget process.

May 7, 2009:

The House debated H.R. 1728, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. This bill addresses a number of abuses within the mortgage lending industry and seeks to establish new standards in this area.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 300 - 114. I supported H.R. 1728 because I believe prospective homeowners are entitled to additional protection. I also voted in favor of several amendments meant to improve this bill. I hope that H.R. 1728 will continue to be improved as it works its way through the Senate.

April 30, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 627, the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights. This legislation will provide credit card consumers with important protections from a variety of adverse practices employed by many credit card issuers.
H.R. 627 was passed by the House by a vote of 357 - 70. I voted with the majority to pass this consumer-friendly legislation.

April 29, 2009:

The House considered S. Con. Res. 13, a House-Senate conference report providing for a congressional budget for fiscal year 2010 and establishing long term fiscal policy.
The House voted 233 - 193 to adopt this budget resolution. I voted no because I felt that the conference report was little improved in its spending and borrowing policies from the House budget which I opposed earlier in the month.
The House considered H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 275 - 155. I voted against this legislation because I believe that the construction of schools is primarily a state and local responsibility. Congress should first fully fund the current federal education programs, including those meant for the neediest and disabled students.
The House considered H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 249 - 175. I voted against this legislation because I do not feel that beliefs, thoughts and speech should be criminalized. Nonetheless, the legislation passed the House and currently awaits Senate consideration.

April 2, 2009:

The House considered H. Con. Res. 85, a resolution providing for a congressional budget for fiscal year 2010 and establishing long term fiscal policy.
This budget resolution was adopted by a vote of 233 - 196. I voted against this budget proposal because I believe it provides for unsustainable deficits - well over five percent of our total national U.S. GDP at the end of a ten year period, and a huge increase in the federal debt.

April 1, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 1664, a bill to amend the executive compensation provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to prohibit unreasonable and excessive compensation and compensation not based on performance standards.
H.R. 1664 was approved by a vote of 247 - 171. I voted in opposition to this legislation because I felt its restrictions were overly broad and punitive, particularly its retroactive application of these rules to organizations which accepted government assistance prior to consideration of the proposal.

March 31, 2009:

The House once again considered H.R. 1388 the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act after it was amended and approved by the Senate.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 275 - 149 and was subsequently signed into law. I voted against this version of the bill, because I felt that the Senate amendments weakened provisions in the House passed bill that prohibited the use of funds for certain controversial activities.

March 23, 2009:

The House debated H.R. 1586, a bill to impose additional taxes, up to 90 percent, on bonuses received from organizations receiving assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
This legislation was adopted by a vote of 328 - 93. I voted in favor of H.R. 1586 to make a statement against the inappropriate bonus payments at AIG. In truth, however, Congress should not be in the business of overseeing private sector compensation, and I'm disappointed that the Administration is not moving faster to lessen government involvement in private companies.

March 18, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, which would reauthorize the national service laws, which include Americorps, Volunteers in Service to America (Vista) and Senior Volunteer Corps.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 321 - 105. I voted yes.

March 11, 2009:

The House considered S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act. This legislation is a collection of over 150 individual bills affecting among things, national wilderness preservation, boundary adjustments, national rivers, the national landscape conservation system, national conservation areas, land conveyances and exchanges, and watershed management. The bill also included a provision that ensures nothing in the legislation would restrict access to hunting, fishing, or trapping.
The bill failed to pass the House by a vote of 282 - 144 because it was considered under a special rule that requires 2/3rds vote in support for passage. I voted yes.

March 5, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 1106, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. The bill, the primary feature of which is a grant of authority to bankruptucy judges to reduce the principal balance of mortgage loans for debtors in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, was passed by the House by a vote of 234 - 191.
I voted NO on H.R. 1106 even though I believe that helping troubled homehowners is a worthy goal. I am concerned, however, that allowing bankruptcy judges to change to existing mortgage loans will do little to solve our housing problems and will unnecessarily raise interest rates on responsible homeowners while making bankruptcy filings more attractive than other mortgage modification options.

February 25, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 1105, the the Omnibus Appropriations Act. This legislation provides funding for much of the government's domestic spending that did not get enacted when the Congress failed to finish 9 of the 12 required appropriations bills during 2008.
The House approved H.R. 1105 by a vote of 245 - 178. I voted NO because this legislation would increase spending on domestic agencies and programs by 8.3 percent over the previous Fiscal Year.

February 13, 2009:

The House considered the conference report accompanying H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation would provide $787 billion to promote econonic growth and create jobs.
The conference report was approved by the House by a vote of 246 - 183. I voted NO. While this version was a slight improvement on the orignal bill passed by the House on January 28, I believe it contained too much non-stimulative spending and would be inadequate in addressing our economic problems.

February 4, 2009:

The House considered S. 352, the Digital TV Delay Act, a bill to to postpone the deadline for the cessation of analog television broadcasts from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 264 - 158. I support this delay, but inadvertantly recorded my vote as NO. I have voted YES on a previously considered version of this bill, and inserted a statement in the Congressional Record stating that I meant to vote YES.
The House considered H.R. 2, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2009. This legislation will provide health care coverage to more than four million children who are currently eligible for CHIP, but not enrolled. In Wisconsin the CHIP program is referred to as BadgerCare Plus, which provides health insurance to children, pregnant women, and working families.
The bill was approved by the House by a vote of 290-135. I voted yes. The legislation was subsequently signed into law by the President.

January 28, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation would provide $819 billion to promote econonic growth and create jobs.
The bill was approved by the House by a vote of 244 - 188. I voted NO. While I believe that our struggling economy merits enactment of a strong stimulus bill, I considered H.R. 1 to be inadequate because too little of its $819 billion in spending would result in new jobs in American communitites.

January 22, 2009:

The House considered H.R. Res. 3, a resolution of disapproval concerning the release of the second $350 billion authorized under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
The House voted to disapprove by a vote of 270 - 155 on January 22, 2009. I voted with the majority in favor of blocking the release of these funds. Previously, the Senate had voted not to disapprove, assuring the release of the TARP funds, and making this House vote entirely symbolic.

January 21, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act of 2009. This bill would establish oversight and accountability concerning the use of the funds provided under Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to provide stability to the U.S. financial system.
The House approved this bill on a vote of 260 - 166. I voted against passage of H.R. 384 for variety of reasons, including its retroactive imposition of conditions for accepting aid, the enactment of the auto rescue legislation which failed to pass Congress in December 2008, and the easing of conditions on borrowers participating in the Federal Housing Administration's mortgage restructuring program.

January 9, 2009:

The House considered H.R. 12, the Paycheck Fairness Act. The legislation would revise remedies for the enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages.
I voted against H.R. 1338 because current law already prohibits an employer from paying an employee different wages, or otherwise discrimination in any term or condition of employment on the basis of sex. The legislation would do little to protect the wages and paychecks of American workers, and far more to benefit trial lawyers. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 256 - 163.

The House considered H.R. 11, the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
This bill would make sweeping changes to a host of federal civil rights laws without properly assessing the consequences. The House approved the bill, but I voted no.