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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, July 29, 2007

How they voted

Advertiser Staff

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 U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.gov

  • The U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

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    Here's how Hawai'i's U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye and U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie K. Hirono voted in key legislation last week.

    KEY SENATE VOTES

    1. 9/11 Commission recommendations

    The Senate approved, 85-8, on Thursday a package of security measures recommended by the 9/11 Commission. The legislation would shift more federal money to high-risk states and cities, and require more stringent screening of air and sea cargo.

    Hawai'i Votes:

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

    2. Border security measure

    The Senate passed, 89-4, on Thursday a $40.6 billion border security measure in which Republicans and Democrats agreed to revive parts of the failed immigration bill by devoting an additional $3 billion for U.S.-Mexico border security. Lawmakers say the move increases their chances of overriding President Bush's threatened veto of a homeland security spending bill, of which the border security provision is a part.

    Hawai'i votes:

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

    KEY HOUSE VOTES

    1. Commerce and Justice spending

    The House approved, 281-142, on Thursday a spending bill that increased funding for space and science programs, local crime fighters and the FBI. The $53.8 billion measure for the departments of Commerce and Justice is $2.3 billion more than requested by the president. The White House has threatened a veto.

    Hawai'i votes:

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

    2. Farm bill

    The House passed, 231-191, on Friday a five-year multibillion-dollar farm bill that provides millions in subsidies to farmers and increased funding for conservation, specialty crops and renewable energy. Also included is $4 billion for food-stamp and nutritional programs along with language that bans subsidies to farmers with incomes of more than $1 million per year. The White House has threatened a veto.

    Hawai'i votes:

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

    WHAT'S AHEAD

    Lawmakers will wrap up before their August recess. The Senate starts with the reauthorization of a $60 billion children's insurance bill to provide coverage for 10 million uninsured kids before moving to ethics and lobbing overhaul legislation. The House will be busy finishing spending bills for the Agriculture and Defense departments.