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. State Children's Health Insurance Program

The House voted 265-159 Tuesday to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program despite a veto threat from President Bush, who proposed a $5 billion increase. The bill would expand the program by $35 billion over the next five years. The current program covers 6.6 million children from low-income families that aren't poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. An estimated 9 million children are uninsured.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA
Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

2. Flood Insurance Reform

The House voted 263-146 Thursday to pass reforms strengthening the flood insurance program after Hurricane Katrina depleted funding. The legislation would extend through 2013 the 40-year-old program that provides affordable insurance to homeowners and imposes building requirements to reduce flood damage. The bill drew a veto threat from the White House for provisions to cover wind damage.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA
Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. Iraq Partition Amendment

The Senate voted 75-23 Wednesday to pass a nonbinding resolution supporting the partition of Iraq into three areas; the north for the Kurds, the south for the Shiites and the west for the Sunni. Sen. Joe Biden's measure would have the three "federal regions" supported by a weak central government in Baghdad that distributes oil revenues. The resolution will be added to the defense spending bill.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEA
Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

2. State Children's Health Insurance Program

The Senate passed, 67-29, the State Children's Health Insurance Program expansion Thursday, setting up a veto showdown with the White House. The $35 billion expansion would be financed by a tobacco tax increase. The Senate's vote margin is enough to override a veto but the House is still short votes.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEA
Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate will complete the $648 billion defense authorization bill before taking up two appropriations bills covering spending for Justice, Commerce and NASA and a $459 billion defense appropriations bill. The House begins with a pair of Iraq bills before moving to a bill aimed to help struggling homeowners by changing the tax law and another attempting to give inspectors general more independence.