Political Information

I understand politics is not always a popular topic with people, but our country is in a real mess and in about 8 weeks we will all have the opportunity to go to the polls and cast our vote.

My husband made a comment this morning that made me realize that it's easy for some people to go out and vote for a candidate based on one or two issues. That's really sad and very scary. Therefore, I've decided to spend some time over the next 8 weeks posting information about the candidates voting records in an effort to educate and help others make a more informed decision.

I will always title my posts in such a way that readers know the topic is politically based.

The following information is obtained from Project Vote Smart:

Unintended Pregnancy Amendment

Bill Number: S Con Res 18
Issue: Abortion
IssuesDate: 03/17/2005
Sponsor:Amendment: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY]; Original Bill: Sen. Gregg Judd [NH]-->Sponsor:Amendment: Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY]; Original Bill: Sen. Gregg Judd [NH]

Official Title of Legislation:S AMDT 244 to S Con Res 18: To expand access to preventive health care services that reduce unintended pregnancy (including teen pregnancy), reduce the number of abortions, and improve access to women's health care. Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:Vote to adopt an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget that allocates $100 million for the prevention of unintended pregnancies.

Highlights:
- Increases funding and access to family planning services

- Funds legislation that requires equitable prescription coverage for contraceptives under health plans

- Funds legislation that would create and expand teen pregnancy prevention programs and education programs concerning emergency contraceptives

Votes: Obama - Yes
Biden - Yes
McCain - No


Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007

Bill Number: HR 1591
Issue: Appropriations
Date: 03/29/2007
Sponsor:Rep Obey, David R. [WI-7]-->Sponsor:Rep Obey, David R. [WI-7]

HR 1591: Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes.Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:Vote to pass a bill that provides supplemental appropriations to various departments for the war on terror and other issues, addresses the minimum wage, and changes the tax code for businesses.

Highlights:
-States that most American forces will be redeployed from Iraq by March 31, 2008, with a limited number of troops remaining to protect American personnel and infrastructure, to train and equip Iraqi forces, and to conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations (Title I (Chapter 3 (Sec 1315 (b))))

-Withholds $1.41 billion from the Economic Support Fund and International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Fund appropriations made in this bill if the Iraqi government does not meet certain benchmarks, including establishing a system to �equitably� share oil revenues among all Iraqis, implementing a system and schedule for provincial and local elections, and executing a plan to spend $10 billion in reconstruction projects on an �equitable� basis (Title I (Chapter 11 (Sec 1710 (a))))

-Requires certain federal agencies to develop plans to minimize the use of no-bid and cost-reimbursement contracts (Title II (Chapter 6 (Sec 204 (e (2)))))

-Raises the federal minimum wage to $5.85 per hour starting the 60th day after enactment of this Act, $6.55 per hour one year after that 60th day, and $7.25 per hour two years after that 60th day (Title V (Sec 501))

-Creates additional tax credits for businesses and waives the alternative minimum tax limits on the work opportunity credit and the credit for taxes paid with respect to employee cash tips (Title V (Sec 510-515))

-$969 million for the Department of Agriculture, including $557 million for the war on terror, and $412 million for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$615.69 million for the Department of Justice, including $445.69 million for the war on terror, and $170 million for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$98.52 billion for the Department of Defense, including $93.68 billion for the war on terror and $4.85 billion for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$63 million for the Department of Energy for its efforts in the war on terror

-$6.31 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, including $2 billion for the war on terror and $4.31 billion for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$5.77 billion for the Department of State for its efforts in the war on terror

-$221.9 million for the Department of Commerce for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$146.19 million for the Department of Interior for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes-$1.53 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$57.41 million for the Department of Education for Katrina recovery efforts and other purposes

-$1.77 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs

-$75 million for the Department of Transportation

Votes: Obama - Yes
Biden - Yes
McCain - No