Washington Week

Advertiser Staff

WASHINGTON — Here are some actions in Congress last week.

1. Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary spending

On Wednesday, the House passed, 400-21, a $37.9 billion bill that would pay for operations at the Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary and other agencies for fiscal year 2004.

Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA

2. Foreign aid spending

On Wednesday, the House passed, 370-50, a $17.1 billion bill that would pay for foreign operations, export financing and related programs for fiscal year 2004.

Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA

3. Singapore trade

On Thursday, the House passed, 272-155, a bill to accept Singapore as a free-trading partner for the United States.

Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) NAY; Ed Case (D) YEA

4. Chile trade

On Thursday, the House passed, 270-156, a bill to accept Chile as a free-trading partner for the United States.

Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) NAY; Ed Case (D) YEA

5. Head Start

On Friday, the House passed on a 217-216 vote a bill to revamp the federal Head Start program for early childhood development.

Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) NAY; Ed Case (D) NAY

6. Drug importation

Also Friday, the House passed on a 243-186 vote a bill that would allow consumers to import prescription drugs from foreign countries.

Hawai'i votes: Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA; Ed Case (D) YEA

Key Senate votes

1. Homeland security

On Tuesday, the Senate rejected, 50-43, an attempt to add $1.8 billion to the homeland security spending bill for air cargo security, chemical plant protection and other uses. Sixty votes were needed to adopt the amendment because of budget rules.

Hawai'i votes: Daniel Akaka (D) YEA; Dan Inouye (D) YEA

What's ahead: The Senate plans to work on an energy bill and may take up more spending bills before leaving for the August recess. The House has already begun its summer break.