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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 9, 2007

How they voted

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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How Hawai'i Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Mazie K. Hirono and Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye voted in key legislation last week.

KEY HOUSE VOTES

1. ENERGY BILL

The House voted 235-181 Thursday to approve comprehensive energy legislation that would increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards and mandate that utilities use more renewable energy sources such as wind power. The Senate couldn't muster enough support to bring the bill to the floor for a vote because it raises taxes on oil companies and because of the renewable fuels mandate.

HAWAI'I VOTES:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA
Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. PERU FREE-TRADE LEGISLATION

The Senate voted 77-18 Tuesday to clear the way for free trade with Peru. The bill grants duty-free status to 80 percent of U.S. exports to Peru. Most of Peru's exports to the U.S. were already without tariffs.

HAWAI'I VOTES:

Daniel Akaka (D) NAY
Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate will work on the farm bill and try to find a compromise on an energy bill aimed at increasing fuel economy and renewable energy. Also possible in the Senate is an omnibus appropriations package for fiscal 2008, a new resolution to continue government funding when the current stopgap measure expires, and a bill to overhaul the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The House will focus on folding 10 appropriation measures into the State-Foreign Operations bill to get them passed before the end of the session.