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. Explosive Dust and Fire Prevention

The House voted 247-165 Wednesday to institute new standards for how industries producing combustible dust are regulated. Accidental plant explosions have resulted from the airborne dust. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration would be required to come up with a new set of standards within 18 months. The White House has threatened to veto the measure.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

2. School Loan Access Act

The House voted 388-21 Thursday for a bill meant to ensure student loans are available in the wake of the credit crisis and $20 billion in subsidy cuts. The measure would protect against lenders dropping out of the program, increase the amount students can borrow and allow parents who have fallen behind on mortgage or medical payments to be eligible for PLUS loans. The bill passed in the Senate on Wednesday and now goes to the president for his signature.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA

Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

There were no key Senate votes this week.

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate will continue work on the $68 billion Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill and may also work on the National Flood Insurance Program, which is $17.5 billion in debt from the Gulf Coast hurricanes in 2005. The House begins with a pair of bills aimed at helping the nation's housing and foreclosure crisis.