How your U.S. lawmaker voted

WASHINGTON — How state members of Congress voted in the week ended Friday.

House

Tax on bonuses

By a vote of 328-93, the House on Thursday passed a bill (HR 1586) levying a 90 percent tax on bonuses paid since Jan. 1 to executives of American International Group (AIG) and other firms receiving at least $5 billion in taxpayer bailouts. The tax would be on individuals with compensation of more than $250,000, including thousands of AIG employees whose recent bonuses totaled at least $165 million.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

Voting yes: Jay Inslee, D-1; Rick Larsen, D-2; Brian Baird, D-3; Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-5; Norm Dicks, D-6; Jim McDermott, D-7; Dave Reichert, R-8; Adam Smith, D-9.

Voting no: Doc Hastings, R-4.

AmeriCorps expansion

By a vote of 321-105, the House on Wednesday passed a bill (HR 1388) that would more than triple the ranks of AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America and the National Civilian Community Corps — to 225,000 participants by 2014 — while expanding the agencies' missions. With a budget of $6 billion through 2014, the bill also would reauthorize initiatives such as the Foster Grandparent Program, the Senior Companion Program and Learn and Serve America. The latter prepares college students for careers in public service.

A yes vote was to send the bill to the Senate.

Voting yes: Inslee, Larsen, Baird, McMorris Rodgers, Dicks, McDermott, Reichert, Smith.

Voting no: Hastings.

Senate

Public-lands conservation

By a vote of 77-20, the Senate on Thursday passed a bill (HR 146) that would conserve tens of millions of acres of public land, mostly in the West. In part, the bill would protect 2.1 million acres in California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia as wilderness; add 26 million acres to the National Landscape Conservation System; preserve 2,800 miles of federal trails; add three units to the National Park System and enlarge other units; protect shoreline acreage on 1,000-plus miles of rivers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Massachusetts and Wyoming; and ratify water settlements in California, Nevada, and New Mexico involving Indian, environmental, agricultural, state and municipal interests. The bill includes language to protect existing hunting, fishing and trapping access and ensure state regulatory authority over those activities.

A yes vote was to send the bill back to the House.

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

Eminent domain

By a vote of 63-35, senators on Wednesday killed an amendment that sought to prevent the government from using eminent domain to implement HR 146. Foes said the doctrine of eminent domain, which empowers governments to expropriate private property for public use, has been ingrained in U.S. law since 1876.

A yes vote was to kill the amendment.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray.

Elena Kagan confirmation

By a vote of 61-31, the Senate on Thursday confirmed Harvard Law School Dean Elena Kagan as U.S. solicitor general, a post that involves representing the U.S. before the Supreme Court. Kagan, 48, is the first woman to hold the post.

A yes vote was to confirm Kagan.

Voting yes: Cantwell.

Not voting: Murray.

Ron Kirk confirmation

By a vote of 92-5, the Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk as U.S. trade representative, putting him in charge of administering U.S. trade policies and negotiating international trade agreements. Kirk, 54, is the first African American to hold the post.

A yes vote was to confirm Kirk.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray.

Roll Call Report Syndicate