Sali Vote 09.13.07

This week, Idaho Congressman Bill Sali voted against a Native American housing program and in true Bill Sali style, after voting against the College Cost Reduction Act back in July, last week he took the opportunity to vote against it one more time; this time on the conference report reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. 

HR 2786 Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 — To reauthorize the programs for housing assistance for Native Americans.

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 333-75

From the bill's sponsor, Rep. Dale Kildee of Michigan:

[T]he reauthorization of NAHASDA would provide $2.2 billion in federal assistance to tribes and tribal designated housing entities for the construction and enhancement of affordable housing in tribal areas. Revisions included in the House-approved bill would build upon the existing framework of NAHASDA and provide greater flexibility in meeting the housing needs of tribal citizens.

H.R. 2786 creates a self-determination program which authorizes tribes to set aside 15% of their annual NAHASDA funding, up to $1 million, for the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing. The bill would also require a HUD review of the program to be reported to Congress one year prior to the authorization’s 2012 expiration.

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HR 2669 College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 Conference Report — To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008.

Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — No
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 292-97

Along with improving the Pell Grant program and making student loans more affordable, this bill provides student loan forgiveness to borrowers who serve full-time in areas of national need as:

• early childhood educators in low-income communities;
• nurses;
• critical foreign language specialists who teach in elementary or secondary schools or use such knowledge as federal employees;
• librarians;
• highly qualified teachers who teach bilingual education or who teach in schools that enroll a high proportion of disadvantaged students;
• child welfare workers;
• speech language pathologists in elementary or secondary schools;
• National Service participants;
• school counselors in elementary and secondary schools that enroll a high proportion of disadvantaged students;
• public sector employees.

Provides up to $1,000 of student loan forgiveness for each year of service, but limits forgiveness to $5,000 in the aggregate.

Comments

[Tara A. Rowe]

It is good to see Representative Simpson coming around on this as he has hurt us (students) in the past, but I can't say I'm surprised to see Sali voting no. What else would he do? "Yes" isn't in his vocabulary!

[Mark]

In Sali's mind, only kids from poor minority families who usually vote for democrats get financial aid. So he probably feels he is doing his duty as a loyal lap dog of the party. No republicans ever apply for financial aid right? ;-)