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. Appropriations Omnibus Bill

The House voted 272-142 Wednesday to pass a $555 billion spending bill to fund much of the government. It includes $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without a timetable for withdrawal. It also includes $11.2 billion for emergency spending.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) NAY
Mazie K. Hirono (D) NAY

2. Energy Independence Bill

The House passed 314-100 on Tuesday legislation that would increase fuel economy standards for the first time in 32 years. The measure also calls for more biofuels to be incorporated into gas, and for inefficient light bulbs and home appliances to be phased out. The president signed the bill Wednesday.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA
Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

3. Alternative Minimum Tax Relief

The House voted 352-64 Wednesday to pass a measure that will protect 21 million taxpayers from tax increases by not letting the Alternative Minimum Tax bill expire. The one-year "patch" to the AMT will cost $50 billion but Democrats were unable to win Republican support for other tax increases to raise revenue to offset the cost.

Hawai'i votes:

Neil Abercrombie (D) YEA
Mazie K. Hirono (D) YEA

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. Iraq Timetable Amendment

The Senate voted 70-25 Tuesday to pass an amendment that would provide $70 billion in funds to the efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The amendment, brought forth by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., allows for war funds to be appropriated without any timetable for withdrawal and is part of the larger omnibus spending package.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEA
Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

2. Omnibus appropriations bill

The Senate voted 76-17 Tuesday for a $555 billion spending bill that bundled together 11 annual appropriations bills funding most government departments and agencies for the 2008 budget year that began Oct. 1. The bill was passed only after a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq was removed.

Hawai'i Votes:

Daniel Akaka (D) YEA
Daniel K. Inouye (D) YEA

WHAT'S AHEAD

The Senate and House have adjourned for the year and will return in mid-January.

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