Where The Rubber Meets The Road (11/24)

As reported in last Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer, here is how Philadelphia-area members of Congress were recorded on major roll-call votes last week.

House

Vietnam trade. On a 228-161 vote, the House failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill to begin permanent, normal U.S. trade with Vietnam. The bill (HR 5602) needed a supermajority for passage because it was debated under shortcut procedures; Republican leaders said they might seek another vote in December under normal rules.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

Voting yes: Robert E. Andrews (D., N.J.), Michael N. Castle (R., Del.), Allyson Schwartz (D., Pa.) and Curt Weldon (R., Pa.).

Voting no: Robert A. Brady (D., Pa.), Charles W. Dent (R., Pa.), Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.), Michael G. Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.), Jim Gerlach (R., Pa.), Tim Holden (D., Pa.), Frank A. LoBiondo (R., N.J.), Joseph R. Pitts (R., Pa.), H. James Saxton (R., N.J.) and Christopher H. Smith (R., N.J.).

Here is some background on this.

As noted in the CNN article, there are few reasons why this could have happened. One could be the fact that this vote was “fast tracked” and those voting no wanted more time to study it. Also, labor pushed for a “no” vote, and my guess is because of concerns about possible (likely?) offshoring of jobs and erosion of compensation. Another possible reason could be Vietnam continues to show religious intolerance.

This isn’t a big deal, though, because they’ll take another shot at this in a week or so. Dubya just wanted something to crow about on his recent trip over there (he really can’t do too much of that any more, can he?).

Also, Weldon was always partial to voting yes on issues affecting Southeast Asia and Russia also. It's a shame to be losing his contacts in those regions on behalf of the 7th district, but it's a price definitely worth paying given his myriad other problems.

Underage drinking. The House passed, 373-23, and sent to the Senate a bill (HR 864) authorizing $72 million over four years for additional federal programs to curb underage drinking.

All Philadelphia-area representatives voted for the bill.

Senate

Indian nuclear deal. The Senate approved, 85-12, a plan by the Bush administration to sell U.S. civilian nuclear supplies to India despite its refusal to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The bill (S 3709) requires India to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs, open the civilian program to international inspection, and restrict nuclear exports. It now goes to conference with the House.

All Philadelphia-area senators voted for the bill.

And all Philadelphia-area senators are as guilty as Bushco for ignoring the NPT also.

Indian nuclear provision. Senators rejected, 71-25, an amendment to S 3709 (above) requiring U.S. presidents to certify that U.S. nuclear materials transferred to India would not be diverted to military use.

A yes vote backed the amendment.

Voting yes: Frank Lautenberg (D., N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D., N.J.).

Voting no: Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D., Del.), Thomas Carper (D., Del.), Rick Santorum (R., Pa.) and Arlen Specter (R., Pa.).

They couldn’t even support a symbolic amendment – the MBNA Twins “distinguish” themselves yet again.

Ahead. Congress is in recess until Dec. 4.

Don't look for too much more from this session, especially they've already said that they're going to leave budget decisions for the new Congress in January.