Washington Week
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — Here are some actions in Congress last week.
Key House votes:
1. Defense spending
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On Tuesday, the House passed, 399-19, a $368.7 billion measure that would pay for operations at the Defense Department for fiscal year 2004. A "yea" vote was to pass the bill.
Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA
2. Teacher training
On Wednesday, the House passed, 404-17, a bill that would require colleges and universities to produce teachers who are highly qualified in their core subjects. A "yea" vote was to pass the bill.
Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA
3. Legislative branch spending
On Wednesday, the House passed, 394-26, a $3.6 billion bill that would pay for operations of Congress and other legislative branch agencies for fiscal year 2004. A "yea" vote was to pass the bill.
Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA
4. Overtime pay
On Thursday, the House rejected, 213-210 a plan to block the Bush administration's proposal to rewrite rules governing which workers can receive overtime. A "yea" vote was to approve an amendment that would have blocked the administration's plans.
Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA
5. Labor, health and education spending
On Thursday, the House passed, 215-208, a $470 billion spending bill to pay for operation of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments in fiscal year 2004. A "yea" vote was to pass the bill.
Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) NAY; Ed Case (D) NAY
Key Senate votes:
1. Medical malpractice
The Senate rejected, 49-48, an attempt to bring up a bill to limit damage awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. Sixty votes were needed to bring the bill up for consideration. A "yea" vote was to consider the measure.
Hawai'i votes: Daniel Akaka (D) NAY; Dan Inouye (D) NAY
