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How They Voted on the Cap-and-Trade Bill

June 27, 2009 - by Donny Shaw

<img src=“http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02d61LY8qNgPT/610×.jpg” align=“right” width=“247” height= "318">As we reported last night, just before heading home for Independence Day recess and after a particularly tough floor debate, the House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey climate change bill (H.R. 2454) by a nail-biter vote of 219-212. Two-hundred and eighteen votes were needed to pass the bill.

Though they have tried in the past, this is the first time either chamber of Congress has been successful in passing a bill designed to address climate change. The bill’s central provision is a cap-and-trade mechanism, which would establish a gradually-tightening economy-wide cap on how much carbon can be produced and allocate carbon credits that energy companies and other polluters can buy and sell on an open market.

“This legislation will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy,” President Obama said after the vote. “That will lead to the creation of new businesses and entire new industries. And that will lead to American jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced.” The President said that he is looking forward to the debate over the legislation in the Senate and seeing it reach his desk “so that we can say, at long last, that this was the moment when we decided to confront America’s energy challenge and reclaim America’s future.”

We’ll be covering the bill’s prospects as it moves into the Senate and highlighting key issues and critical senators as they develop. But for now, I want to take a closer look at the House’s vote on the bill yesterday. Below are complete lists of all the Representatives that voted against their party leadership on passing the bill and on the Republican substitute amendment. If they are not in the lists below, they voted with their party leadership (Democrats for the bill, Republicans against it) on both votes.

On Passage

You can view the full vote breakdown details at this link. Below are the 44 Democrats who voted against their party leadership and President Obama by voting “nay” on the bill, and the 8 Republicans that vote against their party but with Obama to help pass it. A full 29 of the Democrats who voted against the bill are members of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats. Because of how tight the vote was and the number of Democratic defections, the handful of Republicans who voted in favor of the bill basically gave the bill the final boost it needed to passed.

    Democrats That Voted ‘Nay’

  1. Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
  2. Rep. Michael Arcuri [D, NY-24]
  3. Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
  4. Rep. Robert Berry [D, AR-1]
  5. Rep. Dan Boren [D, OK-2]
  6. Rep. Bobby Bright [D, AL-2]
  7. Rep. Christopher Carney [D, PA-10]
  8. Rep. Travis Childers [D, MS-1]
  9. Rep. Jim Costa [D, CA-20]
  10. Rep. Jerry Costello [D, IL-12]
  11. Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper [D, PA-3]
  12. Rep. Lincoln Davis [D, TN-4]
  13. Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
  14. Rep. Joe Donnelly [D, IN-2]
  15. Rep. Thomas Edwards [D, TX-17]
  16. Rep. Brad Ellsworth [D, IN-8]
  17. Rep. Bill Foster [D, IL-14]
  18. Rep. Parker Griffith [D, AL-5]
  19. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [D, SD-0]
  20. Rep. Tim Holden [D, PA-17]
  21. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick [D, AZ-1]
  22. Rep. Larry Kissell [D, NC-8]
  23. Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D, OH-10]
  24. Rep. James Marshall [D, GA-8]
  25. Rep. Eric Massa [D, NY-29]
  26. Rep. Jim Matheson [D, UT-2]
  27. Rep. Mike McIntyre [D, NC-7]
  28. Rep. Charles Melancon [D, LA-3]
  29. Rep. Walter Minnick [D, ID-1]
  30. Rep. Harry Mitchell [D, AZ-5]
  31. Rep. Alan Mollohan [D, WV-1]
  32. Rep. Glenn Nye [D, VA-2]
  33. Rep. Earl Pomeroy [D, ND-0]
  34. Rep. Nick Rahall [D, WV-3]
  35. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez [D, TX-23]
  36. Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
  37. Rep. John Salazar [D, CO-3]
  38. Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13]
  39. Rep. John Tanner [D, TN-8]
  40. Rep. Gene Taylor [D, MS-4]
  41. Rep. Peter Visclosky [D, IN-1]
  42. Rep. Charles Wilson [D, OH-6]

    Republicans That Voted ‘Aye’

  1. Rep. Mary Bono Mack [R, CA-45]
  2. Rep. Michael Castle [R, DE-0]
  3. Rep. Mark Kirk [R, IL-10]
  4. Rep. Leonard Lance [R, NJ-7]
  5. Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R, NJ-2]
  6. Rep. John McHugh [R, NY-23]
  7. Rep. Dave Reichert [R, WA-8]
  8. Rep. Christopher Smith [R, NJ-4]

On the Republican Substitute Amendment

Besides the vote on passage, the only other substantial vote the House placed on the climate change bill was on a Republican amendment that would have replaced the entirety of the bill with the text of H.R. 513, entitled the “New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence.” The amendment would have set non-binding energy independence goals and awarded cash prizes to companies that develop new technologies for improving automobile fuel efficiency, solar power, biofuels, carbon capture and nuclear-derived electricity. The full roll call details can be seen at this link. Below are the 7 Democrats who voted for replacing the Waxman-Markely bill with the Republicans alternative and the 11 Democrats who voted to keep the Waxman-Markley bill text the way it is.

The most noteworthy vote here is probably Rep. Waters’. Unlike the other Democrats who supported the Republican amendment, she is generally progressive on most issues.

    Democrats That Voted ‘Aye’

  1. Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
  2. Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
  3. Rep. Dan Boren [D, OK-2]
  4. Rep. Christopher Carney [D, PA-10]
  5. Rep. Tim Holden [D, PA-17]
  6. Rep. James Marshall [D, GA-8]
  7. Rep. Maxine Waters [D, CA-35]

    Republicans That Voted ‘Nay’

  1. Rep. Paul Broun [R, GA-10]
  2. Rep. Virginia Foxx [R, NC-5]
  3. Rep. Scott Garrett [R, NJ-5]
  4. Rep. Dean Heller [R, NV-2]
  5. Rep. Jim Jordan [R, OH-4]
  6. Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R, NJ-2]
  7. Rep. Tim Murphy [R, PA-18]
  8. Rep. Tom Price [R, GA-6]
  9. Rep. Paul Ryan [R, WI-1]
  10. Rep. Christopher Smith [R, NJ-4]
  11. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland [R, GA-3]



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Comments

Displaying 1-30 of 31 total comments.

  • Bud9342 06/27/2009 3:45pm
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    Morons…

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  • Bud9342 06/27/2009 4:24pm
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    I only wish the Michian “representatives” were not lemmings and had the intestinal fortitude of the representatives that voted against this travisty. I wish we had representation that was interested in representing us rather then special interest or being a pelosi lemming. You see what has happened to California, why are our "representatives so ignorant after the way she has helped put California in the toilet. idiots.

  • Comm_reply
    Anonymous 07/23/2009 6:10am
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    Work to boot them out. They all need to go.

  • buildakicker 06/29/2009 5:20am
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    Great… Did higher gas prices cause us to be greener? Will higher energy prices cause us to be greener? Let the people demand this stuff, not the government. Allow small business to create a green economy, don’t legislate it. America is BROKE.

  • Anonymous 06/29/2009 6:47am
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    How can people vote for bills they don’t read first?

  • scallen 06/29/2009 9:52am
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    Why at this time when poverty is at it’s highest, wages are at the point of being cut by private business, the “real” people are struggling

    Why are these 8 wannabe Republican voting to doom all states to the same financial doom and gloom of their respective states?

    Democratic Led States every one of them are in financial crisis. Why are listening to these genius who know how to ruin a state.

    What the 8 Republicans and 211 Democrats have done is doomed the people of this great nation. Will you allow them to continue down this path? God I hope not. They have done enough damage.

    Anyone who voted to triple, quadruple, or raise our taxes through the roof needs to be fired . It is time for term limits need to be enacted.

  • Comm_reply
    Avery 06/29/2009 11:58am
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    &darr;

    Actually, it’s the Republican states that take our federal money and pay nothing back. You could say that Republican states are on welfare.

  • Comm_reply
    Anonymous 07/01/2009 10:02am
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    Avery are you kidding me? The states that have the problems are the Liberal States of America! California, New York who wants to tax soda pop. Wake up gain knowledge and dont share bad knowledge.

  • Comm_reply
    Anonymous 07/14/2009 7:44am
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    The Republican States paid the money “in” in the first place. Why should you expect a payback for a payback ??
    It is the Federal Government that is on welfare, they’re spending your money and mine. They have no “other money”.

  • Comm_reply
    IHATENEOCONS 07/08/2010 8:18am
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    Yea,we started spendin money we didnt have over in Iraq!!! I just wish people would of been havin TEA PARTIES and complaining when the Republicans had control!! 2000-2006. This mess didnt happen over nite people!!! There are jobs everyday, the Recruiting Station!! The biggest intrusion on our rights is the Patriot Act which was introduced by the righties! Without the war and terriorism the righties have nothing to show for helpin the American worker or people.Shoot,Bush wanted to give temporary passes to illegals to do the work we didnt want to! Where were all the complaints then??? Right Wing hipocrits have nothin to say cuz they could of said it when they had ALL the power and they didnt!!! So they need to just shut up and deal with it like we all did when the Oil Boyz were really screwin the American people!!!

  • Anonymous 06/29/2009 10:59am
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    Global Warming is the biggest hoax played on the gullible public.
    One born every minute.

  • Anonymous 06/30/2009 5:11am
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    Pretty soon we’re not going to be a democracy anymore.

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    Anonymous 07/01/2009 10:04am
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    Thats because we are not a democracy we are a Republic Silly!!!

  • Anonymous 06/30/2009 6:16am
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    It is clear that Congress does not represent the will of the people. With that in mind, please insure to vote out every incumbent in 2010.

  • Anonymous 06/30/2009 12:21pm
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    Our heating bill for the winter months is roughly 25 percent of our income per month. We live in a rural area so transportation is costly. We cannot afford any cost of living or tax increase.

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    IHATENEOCONS 07/08/2010 8:20am
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    Then do what the righties always say and get a better payin job!!! or move! Did the cost of heat and transportation juz get that high? Doubt it. Ur transportation was much higher under Bushy Boy!!!

  • Anonymous 06/30/2009 10:31pm
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    It’s time for a revolution people!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Anonymous 07/01/2009 3:06am
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    How long does it take for the people of the United States realize that the government has not been for the people almost since it started up. They don’t care about us, all they care about is their tax payers vacations, the money they get from the lobbyest and all the other goodies they get from being in power. WAKE UP AMERICA THEY DON’T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT US – NEVER HAVE = NEVER WILL!!!

  • Moderated Comment

  • Anonymous 07/01/2009 5:30am
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    We do not have a democracy any longer. We have a bunch of elected elitists who believe they know better than the people who elected them how they should live. they listen to a few other elitists like themselves and say they are listening to the people. How many of them actually talk to the man on the street. 0 thats how many they might catch something from a regular citizen (such as a brain). They are more interested in a global economy than in what is happening in the USA. Al Gore and his friends are set up to become multi-billionaires with the passage of cap and trade based on faulty information about global warming.

  • Comm_reply
    Anonymous 07/01/2009 10:10am
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    So dont vote for them get organized and get a candidate who will do your bidding, and we are not a democracy, we are a Republic. Remember the pledge." and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all" maybe we should change it to some but the point is you can make a differance if you want. Start a web site and get like minded people and donate to represetatives and senators who think like you and I. The people still have the power we just need to show them.

  • Anonymous 07/01/2009 4:24pm
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    Write to your SENATOR…stop this insanity…or at least go out fighting for your republican form of government. We area Republic because governmental power is spelled out in our CONSTITUTION which provides for a congress who have ENUMERATED POWERS. There power is NOT UNLIMITED!!!!

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    IHATENEOCONS 07/08/2010 7:50am
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    Why would anyone want to go out and support the republican government?? you people must of juz woke up and were asleep from 2000 to 2006 when the neo cons had ALL the control and ran us in the ground!!!!! this all didnt juz happen over nite but yet NONE of u idiots were bitchin when crackhead Bush was in control!! And none of u have yet to mention how “OUR GOVERNMENT” spent and is still spending “OUR” money in Iraq and the rest of the world. We were broke when they said we have to keep the fight over there!!! Give me a break!!! Keep listenin to Limbaugh so everyone can work at Walmart for minimum wage!!! History will show that the Conservatives have always been against the workers and unions in this country but they luv to support corporate America!! Thank God gas hasnt been 4.50 plus since the losers left the Whitehouse!!

  • Anonymous 07/01/2009 4:24pm
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    + 1
    &darr;

    Write to your SENATOR…stop this insanity…or at least go out fighting for your republican form of government. We area Republic because governmental power is spelled out in our CONSTITUTION which provides for a congress who have ENUMERATED POWERS. There power is NOT UNLIMITED!!!!

  • fscath 07/02/2009 11:10am
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    This is insane. Strike three as far as I’m concerned, they didn’t read the stimulus bill, the budget and now this. Fire each and every one of them and start off with a clean slate.

  • Grannia 07/02/2009 4:51pm
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    God Bless these 42 Democrats who remain true to their conservative values. And woe to the 8 Republicans come election time! I’d like to contact these 8 traitors but they only take mail/calls from their constituents. Hopefully, those in their districts are letting them feel the HEAT. Not from Global Warming, of course, as we all know that’s a farce anyway!

  • Anonymous 07/05/2009 12:12pm
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    I feel that if you are still denying that global warming exists then it is rather difficult for clear thinking citizens to take your opinions seriously. We should not forget which administration got us to this place of financial desperation. Until we create a new political party of the people and for the people we will not change things. There are good ideas on both sides of the aisle but the party system won’t allow them to surface. The party system is destroying America and its time to eliminate such a system and allow majority voting to decide what the country wants. It would stop special interest groups from controlling congress as they wouldn’t be able to control the outcome of votes by simply targeting the key players of each party. Remove the aisle and you will in return give back the country to its people. Roadcrack on Twitter.

  • Anonymous 07/05/2009 12:12pm
    Link Reply
    + 0
    &darr;

    I feel that if you are still denying that global warming exists then it is rather difficult for clear thinking citizens to take your opinions seriously. We should not forget which administration got us to this place of financial desperation. Until we create a new political party of the people and for the people we will not change things. There are good ideas on both sides of the aisle but the party system won’t allow them to surface. The party system is destroying America and its time to eliminate such a system and allow majority voting to decide what the country wants. It would stop special interest groups from controlling congress as they wouldn’t be able to control the outcome of votes by simply targeting the key players of each party. Remove the aisle and you will in return give back the country to its people. Roadcrack on Twitter.


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