Bill Sali Votes On Homeless and Mercury

Last week while most Idahoans were focused on the financial markets bailout legislation, there were a couple of other interesting votes cast by Congressman Bill Sali.  He was one of 61 members to vote against a homeless assistance bill which ultimately passed with 355 votes that, among other things, improved access to Housing and Urban Development programs for local housing services and homeless assistance providers.  It also adjusted the definition of homeless youth and children to more closely resemble definitions used by other federal agencies, allowing them access to HUD funding.

Also, in the most lopsided vote of Sali's short tenure, he was one of only five members to vote against a bill that would change the way mercury is handled as a toxic substance, in part directing the Department of Energy to provide permanent storage for domestic mercury stocks in certain cases.  That legislation passed 393-5.

---

HR 7221 Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act— To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to reauthorize the Act, and for other purposes.

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 355-61 with 17 not voting

From the Department of Housing and Urban Development:

This important piece of legislation will consolidate HUD's competitive homeless assistance programs, and will make it immeasurably easier for local housing and service providers to access and use our funding.  This bipartisan bill will allow local communities more flexibility to support programs that actually prevent homelessness.  It is also a vital part of the Administration's effort to continue providing critically needed housing and services to those who are literally living on our nation's streets and in our shelters.

Also find more information from the floor speech in support of the legislation from one of the bill's co-sponsors, Republican Rep. Judy Biggert of Illinois.

---

S 906 Mercury Market Minimization Act of 2007 — To Prohibit the Sale, Distribution, Transfer, and Export of Elemental Mercury, and for Other Purposes

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 393-5 with 6 voting Present and 29 not voting

This legislation would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to:

• prohibit any federal agency from conveying, selling, or distributing to any other federal, state, or local agency, or any private individual or entity, any elemental mercury under the control or jurisdiction of such agency;
• prohibit the export of elemental mercury from the United States effective January 1, 2010;
• require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to Congress on mercury compounds that may currently be used in products or processes;
• establish the Excess Mercury Storage Advisory Committee.

Find Congressional Budget Office estimates here.

Comments

[Sisyphus]

I know I should be numb to the idiocy of his votes by now, but we have a huge problem with mercury in Idaho in both legislative districts. District 1 Idahoans face an onslaught of mercury emissions since we are downwind from the second biggest point source in the country located outside Baker Oregon. Fish and game warns against consuming most fish caught in SW Idaho due to high mercury content.

[MountainGoat]

This is one of the most inexplicable of many inexplicable votes, for reasons you mention Sis, but also because, if I'm reading the CBO estimates correctly, the program will essentially pay for itself, or nearly so, in storage fees collected.