Tar Heel Tally

Senate

2010 military appropriations: Voting 88 for and 10 against, the Senate on Dec. 19 sent President Barack Obama the conference report on a $636.3 billion fiscal 2010 military appropriations bill (HR 3326) that includes $128.3 billion for war in Iraq and Afghanistan and $28.3 billion for service members' health care. The bill funds a 3.4 percent military pay raise; prohibits the torture of prisoners; bars permanent U.S. bases in Iraq or Afghanistan; caps production of the F-22 Raptor fighter jet; funds C-17 cargo jets over Pentagon objections and appropriates $15 billion for procuring seven Navy ships and $6.3 billion for buying 6,600 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) all-terrain vehicles.

In nonmilitary provisions, the bill eases the terms of Small Business Loans; temporarily extends the National Flood Insurance Program; temporarily extends rules that permit satellite TV viewers to receive broadcasts of local channels, and expands federal-state nutrition programs to meet growing demand during the recession.

Additionally, the bill extends certain expiring sections of the USA Patriot Act until March 1, delays deep cuts in Medicare payments to doctors until March 1 and extends jobless checks and COBRA health benefits for the long-term unemployed until March 1.

A yes vote was to adopt the conference report.

Voting yes: Hagan

Voting no: Burr

National debt limit: The Senate on Thursday voted 60-39 to join the House in raising the national debt limit by $290 billion to $12.39 trillion. The bill (HR 4314) extends Treasury borrowing authority until about Feb. 11, at which time Congress will vote again to raise the debt ceiling.

A yes vote was to raise the federal debt ceiling.

Voting yes: Hagan

Voting no: Burr

Key votes ahead

Congress has adjourned for the year. The House will begin its 2010 session on Jan. 12 and the Senate on Jan. 19.

©2009, Thomas Voting Reports