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. Alternative Minimum Tax Relief

The House voted 226-193 Wednesday for the second time to pass a one-year fix to the Alternative Minimum Tax, which was meant to make sure the very rich didn't escape paying taxes but will hit 21 million people this year. To make up for the lost tax revenue, the bill would increase taxes on corporations and hedge fund managers. Senate Republicans and the White House are opposed to the bill.

Hawai'i votes:

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

2. Terrorism Insurance Reauthorization

The House passed, 303-116, legislation Wednesday that would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which expires Dec. 31, for seven years. The bill would help the insurance industry in the event of a terrorist attack. A compromise must still be worked out with the Senate.

Hawai'i votes:

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

KEY SENATE VOTES

1. Farm Bill Subsidies Amendment

The Senate rejected, 58-37, an amendment to the $256 billion farm bill that would have overhauled the program by replacing most agricultural subsidies with beefed up crop-loss insurance policies. The amendment was proposed by Sens. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Hawai'i Votes:

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

2. Energy bill

The Senate passed, 86-8, energy legislation Thursday that increases vehicle fuels standards and the use of biofuels. Democrats were able to get the bill passed by dropping provisions that would have eliminated tax breaks for large oil and gas companies. A House vote is expected this week.

Hawai'i Votes:

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

3. National Housing Act Update

The Senate passed, 93-1, legislation Friday to make Federal Housing Administration loans available to subprime borrowers who face foreclosure. The measure makes federally insured loans easier to get for low- and middle-income home buyers and also allows for larger loans. It now goes to the president to be signed.

Hawai'i Votes:

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

WHAT'S AHEAD

The House is expected to vote on a stripped-down version of the Energy Independence and Security Act that would gradually raise fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks and boost production and use of corn and cellulosic ethanol. Congress also will try to pass a 2008 budget. The House is expected to wrap the 11 remaining spending bills into a big package known as an omnibus and vote on it early in the week. The House package is expected to contain short-term emergency money for Afghanistan operations but no additional money for the Iraq war. The Senate is expected to add that to the House spending package and send it back to the House for a final vote.

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