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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, June 29, 2008

How they voted

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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LEARN MORE

  • Library of Congress, to search for specific votes: http://thomas.loc.gov

  • The House of Representatives: www.house.gov

  • The U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

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    How Hawai'i Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie K. Hirono and Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye voted in key legislation last week:

    KEY HOUSE VOTES

    1. Alternative Minimum Tax

    The House voted 233-189 Wednesday to pass a one-year extension of the Alternative Minimum Tax that would protect more than 21 million Americans from having to pay the tax in 2008. The roughly $62 billion in revenue that would be lost would be offset by taxing some foreign-owned companies and the oil and gas industry, among others. Inclusion of the revenue offsets have hurt the bill's chances in the Senate.

    Hawai'i votes:

    Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

    Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

    2. Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act

    The House voted 223-195 Thursday to reject a measure aimed at stripping oil companies of energy leases they're not using. The bill would have required the oil companies to use or relinquish leases on roughly 68 million acres of government land before obtaining new leases in areas that have been a focus of debate.

    Hawai'i votes:

    Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

    Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

    KEY SENATE VOTES

    1. Emergency Supplemental War Spending

    The Senate voted 92-6 Thursday to pass the $21.1 billion domestic spending portion of the emergency war supplemental bill. Included in the spending are funds for Midwest flood and Hurricane Katrina relief, expansion of veterans' education benefits, and a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance. The $165.4 billion war-spending portion of the bill passed June 19, when the House agreed to the Senate's version. The bill now goes to President Bush, who is expected to sign it.

    Hawai'i Votes:

    Daniel Akaka (D) YEA

    Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

    WHAT'S AHEAD

    The House and Senate have adjourned for the July Fourth recess and will return the following week.