April 2, 2012 In this MegaVote for Hawaii's 1st & 2nd Congressional Districts: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 Senate: Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act House: Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2011 House: Surface Transportation Extension Act House: Democratic Alternative Budget House: Fiscal 2013 House Budget Resolution Editor's Note: Congress is in recess this week and next. The Senate and House both return on April 16.

Recent Senate Votes

21st Century Postal Service Act of 2011 - Vote Rejected (51-46, 3 Not Voting) This postal overhaul bill did not receive the necessary 60 votes to proceed to debate. The bill would allow the Postal Service to recoup around $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use that money to provide financial incentives to about 100,000 employees to retire, as well as delay the plan to end Saturday delivery for two years. Sen. Daniel Inouye voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Daniel Akaka voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act - Vote Rejected (51-47, 2 Not Voting) This legislation would repeal some tax breaks for large oil and gas companies and use the revenue generated by these tax repeals to pay for an extension of renewable-energy tax credits and incentives. The bill did not receive the necessary 60 votes to end debate and is unlikely to be considered again. Sen. Daniel Inouye voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Daniel Akaka voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (247-174, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would overhaul Federal Communications Commission regulatory procedures and curb the agency’s ability to set conditions on transactions related to corporate mergers and acquisitions. The bill’s future is uncertain. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Rep. Mazie Hirono voted NO......send e-mail or see bio     Surface Transportation Extension Act - Vote Passed (266-158, 7 Not Voting) On Thursday the House passed this bill to extend authorization for surface transportation programs through June 30. The Senate cleared the bill by voice vote later the same day, sending the bill to the president. President Obama signed it the next day. This extension gives the House and Senate more time to negotiate a long-term transportation bill. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Rep. Mazie Hirono voted NO......send e-mail or see bio     Democratic Alternative Budget - Vote Failed (163-262, 6 Not Voting) The Democrats offered a substitute budget amendment that would provide $1.05 trillion in discretionary spending for fiscal 2013, including $546 billion for defense spending. The amendment includes a permanent extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for the middle class, but would end nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and close a variety of corporate tax loopholes. The amendment was rejected. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Rep. Mazie Hirono voted YES......send e-mail or see bio     Fiscal 2013 House Budget Resolution - Vote Passed (228-191, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this budget resolution providing for $1.03 trillion in discretionary spending. That amount is $19 billion less than the discretionary target agreed to as part of last summer’s deal to raise the debt ceiling. The resolution calls for spending cuts through restructuring Medicare, converting Medicaid and the food stamp program into block grants to states, and repealing the 2010 health care law. It also calls for an overhaul of the tax code. The Senate is likely to reject the House budget resolution. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Rep. Mazie Hirono voted NO......send e-mail or see bio