How your U.S. lawmaker voted

WASHINGTON — Here's how state members of Congress voted in the week ending Friday.

House

$787 billion stimulus

By a vote of 246-183, the House on Friday approved the conference report on a $787 billion economic-stimulus bill (HR 1) designed to create or save at least 3.5 million jobs by fiscal 2011. Tax cuts account for 36 percent of the sum, with the remainder direct spending such as $120 billion for public-works construction and $170 billion to help states pay rising Medicaid costs and preserve their services and jobs.

The bill drew support from 246 of the 253 Democrats who voted and none of the 176 Republicans who voted. In each of 2009 and 2010, the stimulus provides tax credits of $400 for individuals earning up to $70,000 and $800 for families earning up to $140,000, with the funds delivered to most recipients in reduced payroll withholding.

The bill also provides $250 one-time payments to Social Security recipients, veterans who qualify for disability payments, and other seniors and disabled persons. The bill contains no earmarks and requires stimulus transactions to be made transparent to the public on a government Web site.

A yes vote was to approve the conference report.

Voting yes: Jay Inslee, D-1; Rick Larsen, D-2; Brian Baird, D-3; Norm Dicks, D-6; Jim McDermott, D-7; Adam Smith, D-9.

Voting no: Doc Hastings, R-4; Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-5; Dave Reichert, R-8.

Rep. Charles Rangel

By a vote of 242-157, the House on Tuesday tabled a Republican bid to remove Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee because of an investigation by the House ethics committee. As a privileged resolution, the measure (H Res 143) was not debatable. Rangel is under scrutiny for dealings concerning rent-controlled apartment units in his district, his admitted failure to pay taxes on rental income on resort property and his use of his committee post to help the City College of New York raise funds for an academic facility in his name.

A yes vote opposed the motion to strip Rangel of his committee post.

Voting yes: Inslee, Larsen, Baird, Dicks, McDermott, Smith.

Voting no: McMorris Rodgers, Reichert.

Not voting: Hastings.

Senate

$838 billion stimulus

By a vote of 61-37, the Senate on Tuesday passed an $838 billion economic-stimulus bill (HR 1) and sent it to a House-Senate conference committee. All 56 Democrats, both independents and three Republicans backed the bill.

About 65 percent of the $838 billion consisted of spending through federal agencies or directly to individuals and states in programs such as unemployment benefits and Medicaid. The other 35 percent consisted of business and personal tax cuts, including cuts for nearly 90 percent of middle-income taxpayers. The bill contained no earmarks and required stimulus transactions to be made transparent to the public on a government Web site.

A yes vote was to send the bill to House-Senate negotiations.

Voting yes: Maria Cantwell, D; Patty Murray, D.

William Lynn confirmation

By a vote of 93-4, the Senate on Wednesday confirmed William Lynn as deputy defense secretary, the Pentagon's second-ranking civilian post. The nomination was disputed over Lynn's exemption from an administration ethics rule designed to slow the revolving door between government work and lobbying. Lynn worked most recently as a lobbyist for the defense contractor Raytheon.

A yes vote was to confirm Lynn.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray.

$787 billion stimulus

By a vote of 60-38, the Senate on Friday sent President Obama the conference report on a $787 billion economic-stimulus bill (HR 1) designed to create or save at least 3.5 million jobs by fiscal 2011.

A yes vote was to approve the conference report.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray.

Roll Call Report Syndicate