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. Native Hawaiian Bill

The House passed, 261-153, legislation Tuesday that would recognize Native Hawaiians as a "governing entity" with the power to negotiate with federal and state governments. The bill also would establish an office in the Department of Interior for Native Hawaiian Relations, but would fall short of granting them recognition as an American Indian tribe. The White House has threatened to veto the bill, which has not yet come before the Senate.

Hawai'i votes:

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

2. State Children's Health Insurance Program

The House voted, 265-142, Thursday to pass legislation that would add 4 million low-income children to SCHIP in the face of a second veto threat. Again the measure did not pass by a veto-proof margin. The bill is similar to the one already vetoed adding $35 billion to the program over five years for a total of $60 billion. An increase in the cigarette tax to $1 would pay for the program's expansion. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Hawai'i votes:

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

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. Dream Act

In a procedural vote of, 52-44, Wednesday the Senate failed to move to the floor a bill that would give some children of illegal immigrants a path to legal status. Illegal immigrants under 30 who moved to the U.S. before they were 16 and have joined the military or gone to college for two years would have been eligible for the program. Sixty votes were needed to end debate and bring the bill up for a vote.

Hawai'i Votes:

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

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate expects to vote on an Amtrak bill that would authorize $11.4 billion for the system over six years. It also will take up the modified State Children's Health Insurance Program legislation, which President Bush has again threatened to veto. Debate might also begin on the five-year farm bill that addresses subsidies for farmers. The House starts with mining legislation that would impose new royalties and environmental standards on the industry. Other House legislation includes a bill designed to protect workers who have lost their jobs and a bill to streamline the Small Business Administration's contracting program.