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. Green Public School Facilities Act

The House voted, 250-164, to commit more than $20 billion over five years to help states make schools more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It also would provide $500 million over five years to rebuild schools damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There is not yet a companion bill in the Senate and the White House has threatened a veto, making the bill's future uncertain.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

2. Fiscal 2009 Budget Conference Report

The House voted, 214-210, to pass the conference report for the $3.1 trillion fiscal 2009 budget resolution Thursday. The plan, already approved by the Senate and which does not need presidential approval, serves as a blueprint for spending. The resolution allows the national debt limit to be raised by $800 billion to $10.6 trillion.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. Fiscal 2009 Budget Conference Report

The Senate voted 48-45 Wednesday for a $3.1 trillion budget blueprint, paving the way for work on spending bills. The resolution does not cut any costs for Medicare, Social Security or Medicaid, essentially leaving those decisions until after the 2008 election.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEA

Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate starts the week with an energy package that would eliminate tax breaks for oil companies and tax the windfall profits of those companies. The bill also would stop purchases for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until December unless the price of oil drops below $75 a barrel. The House will work on the supplemental war spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan before taking up bills to authorize funds for NASA and Amtrak.