Sali Vote 05.10.07

Idaho 1st District Congressman Bill Sali cast a few notable votes today and yesterday.  He voted against reauthorizing programs of the Small Business Administration and along with a majority of Republicans, against appropriations for the Dept. of Homeland Security.  Also, predictably he voted against a bill that ultimately failed calling for the redeployment of troops from Iraq.

HR 1873  Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act — To reauthorize the programs and activities of the Small Business Administration relating to procurement, and for other purposes.

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 409-13

From the bill's sponsor, Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley's release:

The bill makes so-called “contract bundling”—the practice of grouping small government contracts together and awarding them as one large contract—more difficult for government agencies. Often, bundled contracts are too large for small businesses to compete for.

The bill also requires closer oversight of government agencies to ensure that small businesses are being given the same opportunity to compete for government business as large corporations.

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HR 1684  Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act — To authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes.

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — No
Republican Position — No
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 296-126

From the Committee on Homeland Security:

Specifically, H.R. 1684:

• Reinstates critical funding for the first responder programs like the State Homeland Security Grant program and FIRE Act grants.
• Gives the Inspector General some sharper teeth to investigate disaster response and border security programs.
• Strengthens the integrity in the agency’s contracting practices and promotes small business opportunities.

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HR 2237  To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq.

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — No
Republican Position — No
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Failed 171-255

Among other things the bill, as originally written, would require the Secretary of Defense:

• Within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to commence the redeployment of units and members of the Armed Forces (U.S. forces) deployed in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and defense contractors operating in Iraq and funded using amounts appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD).
• To complete such redeployment within 180 days after its commencement.

Read Congressman Sali's response here.

Comments

[scootermom]

After years of attempts to politicize Head Start by allowing providers to commit religious discrimination, with tax-payer dollars, in choosing teachers and volunteers, the House rejected a last-minute legislative maneuver sanctioning this unconstitutional practice (HR1429).

Sali, of course, voted for religious discrimination with the minority.

[MountainGoat]

Yeah good point...sadly it's becoming all too common as many of us predicted.

For more information on the bill that scootermom mentions, HR 1429, including links and the vote breakdown check out this post:

http://mountaingoatreport.typepad.com/the_mountaingoat_report/2007/05/sali_vote_05020.html

Also for those that are interested, check out the Bill Sali Vote Archive under the heading "Other Links" to the left. You'll find an archive put together by Red State Rebel that chronicles more extreme Sali votes. She keeps it updated regularly. Also note the Contribute to BeatBillSali link for any that would like to contribute to keeping Sali to one term. The funds will go to the eventual Democratic nominee.

And of course stay tuned here where you'll find regular postings on Sali's voting record.

[MountainGoat]

Hey scootermom, I was just looking through the info on HR 1429 to find the specific vote you mention (to potentially add it to our archive.) Do you happen to have a link or more info on the maneuver you describe?