Originally published Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM
How Your U.S. Lawmaker Voted
Here's how the state's members of Congress voted on major roll calls in the week ending Friday. House Combustible-dust rules By a vote of...
WASHINGTON — Here's how the state's members of Congress voted on major roll calls in the week ending Friday.
House
Combustible-dust rules
By a vote of 247-165, the House on Wednesday passed a bill (HR 5522) directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to adopt rules for controlling combustible dust at factories. The regulations would pre-empt any state rules that do less to protect workers from dust explosions and fires. The federal rules would be in addition to existing OSHA regulations for grain silos. The bill would require interim rules within 90 days of enactment and final ones within 18 months. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill, which is now before the Senate.
Voting yes: Jay Inslee, D-1; Rick Larsen, D-2; Brian Baird, D-3; Jim McDermott, D-7; Adam Smith, D-9.
Voting no: Doc Hastings, R-4; Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-5; Dave Reichert, R-8.
Not voting: Norm Dicks, D-6.
Regulations delay
By a vote of 178-237, the House on Wednesday refused to delay action on new federal dust regulations until after completion of an ongoing government probe into causes of an explosion Feb. 7 at the Imperial Sugar refinery near Savannah, Ga., that killed 13 workers. The amendment was offered to HR 5522 (above).
Voting yes: Hastings, McMorris Rodgers, Reichert.
Voting no: Inslee, Larsen, Baird, Dicks, McDermott, Smith.
Genetic-testing bias
![]()
By a vote of 414-1, the House on Thursday sent President Bush a bill (HR 493) making it illegal for employers or health-insurance firms to penalize individuals on the basis of genetic-testing results or family medical histories. The bill also would prevent employers from requiring gene tests, which are used to predict one's likelihood of contracting certain illnesses.
Voting yes: Inslee, Larsen, Baird, Hastings, McMorris Rodgers, Dicks, McDermott, Reichert, Smith.
Roads, transit spending
By a vote of 358-51, the House on Wednesday sent President Bush a bill (HR 1195) that would hasten the release of billions of dollars previously authorized for highway and transit projects. The bill would give a green light to hundreds of earmarked projects and make technical changes to expedite spending on other projects.
The bill also would call for a Justice Department probe of a $10 million earmark sponsored in 2005 by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, for developing an interchange on Interstate 75 near Naples, Fla., a project opposed by local authorities and never built.
Voting yes: Inslee, Larsen, Baird, McMorris Rodgers, Dicks, McDermott, Reichert, Smith.
Not voting: Hastings.
Senate
Federal aviation budget
By a vote of 88-1, the Senate on Monday took a preliminary step toward debating a bill (HR 2881) authorizing $51 billion for Federal Aviation Administration programs through fiscal 2012. A threatened GOP filibuster rooted in disputes over amendments then delayed the bill. The Senate conducted no other votes during the week.
Voting yes: Maria Cantwell, D; Patty Murray, D.
Roll Call Report Syndicate
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 02:06 AM
Sources: Obama near decision on Afghanistan troops
UPDATE - 12:34 AM
Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
UPDATE - 02:09 AM
FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect
McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
High court looks at life sentences for juveniles

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
256 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
168 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
118 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
97 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Book review | Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right





