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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, July 13, 2008

How they voted

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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LEARN MORE

  • Library of Congress, to search for specific votes: http://thomas.loc.gov

  • The House of Representatives: www.house.gov

  • The U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

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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 VOTE

    1. Electronic Message Preservation Act

    The House voted 286-137 on Wednesday to require the federal archivist to establish standards for preserving e-mail sent by the White House and other federal agencies, in a move to keep important e-mails from being deleted. The Senate hasn't taken up the bill and the White House has threatened to veto it, saying it would excessively intrude on the president's power.

    Hawai'i votes:

    Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

    Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

    KEY SENATE VOTES

    1. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reauthorization

    The Senate voted 69-28 on Wednesday to rewrite the electronic spying laws of the country, including granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies involved in the warrantless wiretapping program. President Bush signed the bill Thursday.

    Hawai'i Votes:

    Daniel Akaka (D) NAY

    Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

    2. Medicare bill

    In a procedural vote Wednesday, the Senate voted 69-30 to block a planned 10.6 percent pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients. The Bush administration wants the cut.

    Hawai'i votes:

    Daniel Akaka (D) YEA

    Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

    WHAT'S AHEAD

    The Senate is expected to vote on authorizing $50 billion for overseas HIV/AIDS programs over five years, and to consider a federal shield law for journalists and an extension of low-income heating assistance. The House will vote on the 2009 funding authorization for the intelligence community and on a bill that would authorize $2 billion for bridge repairs nationwide and update bridge inspection standards.