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. Responsible Lending and Debt Collection Act

The House voted 285-132 Wednesday to expand debt relief to developing countries. The measure makes about two dozen countries eligible to have their debt forgiven through negotiations by the Treasury Department with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The White House opposes the bill but has not threatened to veto it.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

2. Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act

The House voted 238-179 Tuesday to abolish the IRS debt collection program that uses private companies and to require more oversight on how Health Savings Accounts are used. The tax legislation also would require overseas subsidiaries of U.S. companies to pay employment taxes on government contracts. The White House has threatened to veto the measure.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

3. Student Loan Access Act

The House voted 383-27 Thursday to let students borrow more through the federal guaranteed college loan program and to give private lenders federal help in raising cash to make student loans. Undergraduate students still dependent on their families could borrow a total of $31,000, up from $23,000. The Senate still must act on the issue.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

No key Senate votes this week.

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate starts with a veterans' benefit package before moving to legislation that would overturn a Supreme Court ruling that bans employees from filing discrimination lawsuits more than 180 days after the incident occurred.

The House is expected to take up reauthorization of funds for the Coast Guard, along with small-business technology and innovation legislation. Lawmakers will continue to negotiate on the farm bill.