The “cash-for-clunkers” bill provided an additional $2 billion for the vehicle trade-in program, which offers vouchers worth up to $4,500 toward the purchase of new vehicles to consumers who trade in their older, less-efficient models. The program triggered a major surge in sales of new cars, helping hard-pressed dealers, manufacturers, suppliers and their workers. At the same time, the program will reduce oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by getting older, less efficient vehicles off the road and replacing them with new, higher-mileage vehicles.  The Senate passed the bill Aug. 6 by a vote of 60-37 (R: 7-33; D: 51-4; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

An amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act eliminated   $1.7 billion in funding for the F-22 fighter aircraft. Continued production of the F-22 would strengthen the nation’s industrial base and contribute to the national defense. F-22 production provides 25,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs. The amendment passed July 21 by a vote of 58-40 (R: 15-25; D: 42-14; I: 1-1). Y=W, N=R

The legislation would impose restrictions on credit card company lending practices, including when companies could increase annual percentage interest rates retroactively on an existing balance.  It expands a number of disclosure requirements for credit card companies and restricts the ability of credit card companies to change the terms of an account after it has been established. The bill passed May 19 by a vote of 90-5 (R: 35-4; D: 53-1; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

During the debate on the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) offered an amendment that would have allowed bankruptcy judges to modify home mortgages on terms that could allow thousands of homeowners facing foreclosure to keep their homes. Many mortgage lenders have been slow or failed to modify existing loans, despite many borrowers receiving loans based on false, misleading and predatory lending practices. The amendment failed April 30 by a vote of 45-51 (R: 0-39; D: 43-12; I: 2-0).  Y=R, N=W

The House and Senate jointly agreed to $3.56 trillion budget resolution for fiscal year 2010. The resolution allows modest increases in funding to housing, education, job training, safety and health care programs that have been consistently cut during the past eight years. The resolution assumes $764 billion in tax cuts over five years, including an extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for households earning less than $250,000 annually, a three-year adjustment to prevent additional taxpayers from paying the alternative minimum tax and a permanent extension of the 2009 estate tax cuts. It also establishes reserve funds for health care reform and climate change legislation to reduce the nation’s emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The resolution was adopted April 29 by a vote of 53- 43 (R: 0-40; D: 51-3; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

The Senate budget resolution increased discretionary spending by $490 billion over five years—restoring funding to housing, education, job training, and safety and health care programs that had been consistently cut during the past eight years. The resolution also provided a reserve fund for health care reform, education reform and a “cap-and-trade” program to cut the nation’s emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The resolution passed April 2 on a vote of 55-43 (R: 0-41; D: 53-2; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

During the budget debate, the Senate rejected an amendment by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) to establish a task force to review the long-term solvency issues of Social Security and other entitlement programs. Any legislative recommendations from the task force would be considered under fast-track procedures that could pose a very real threat to the Social Security system and future beneficiaries. The amendment was defeated April 1 by a vote of 44-54 (R: 40-1: D: 3-52: I: 1-1). Y=W, N =R

The omnibus spending bill combined nine funding bills for several federal agencies, including the Department of Labor and Department of Education. The bill included funding for critical labor, health and safety programs and would fund government operations through Sept. 30, 2009. The Senate voted to end a Republican filibuster (60 votes are required to end a filibuster) March 10 by a vote of 62-35 (R: 8-32; D: 52-3; I: 2-0). Y=R, N=W

The House Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act provides a number of reforms to executive compensation practices at publicly traded companies, including banks and other financial companies receiving federal help under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and other federal programs during the current economic downturn. Among other provisions, the bill would allow a company’s shareholders to take annual votes on executive compensation packages and on "golden parachute" compensation going to outgoing executives in the event of a merger or acquisition. The bill passed July 31 by a vote 237-185 (R: 2-169; D: 235-16). Y=R, N=W

The “cash-for-clunkers” bill provided an additional $2 billion for the vehicle trade-in program, which offers vouchers worth up to $4,500 toward the purchase of new vehicles to consumers who trade in their older, less-efficient models. The program triggered a major surge in sales of new cars, helping hard-pressed dealers, manufacturers, suppliers and their workers. At the same time, the program will reduce oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by getting older, less efficient vehicles off the road and replacing them with new, higher-mileage vehicles.  The bill passed July 31 by a vote of 316-109 (R: 77-95; D: 239-14). Y=R, N=W

The House fiscal year 2010 spending bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related federal agencies provides funding for workforce development, public health and education programs. Most of the programs funded by the bill are experiencing unusually high demand for their services as a result of the recession. The bill passed July 24 by a vote of 264-153 (R: 20-148; D: 244-5). Y=R, N=W

The American Clean Energy and Security Act would create a “cap-and-trade” system for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and set new requirements for electric utilities. It would require utilities to produce 15 percent of the nation's electricity from renewable sources by 2020, with another 5 percent energy savings from efficiency. It would set new emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, and new energy efficiency and water use standards for buildings and products. It would establish programs to assist energy consumers with higher utility bills as a result of the system. It also would create programs for electrical transmission lines, smart grid technologies, modernizing electricity infrastructure, reduction of emissions, increased energy efficiency, and carbon capture and sequestration. It maintains a diverse energy portfolio for the nation that includes renewable energy, fossil fuels, nuclear power and hydropower, while spurring investment in new energy technologies that will create jobs. The bill passed June 26 by a vote of 219-212 (R: 8-168; D: 211-44). Y=R, N=W

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill invests in technology and the nation’s airports, creates good jobs and strengthen workers' rights. The House bill passed May 21 by a vote of 277-136 (R: 37-132; D: 240-4). Y=R, N=W

The 21^st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act provides $6.4 billion in direct investment for critical school repairs and to encourage energy efficiency. The bill also creates good jobs in the construction industry and stimulates local, state and regional economic activity during the current economic downturn. The bill passed May 14 by a vote of 275-155 (R: 24-154; D: 251-1). Y=R, N=W

The legislation would impose restrictions on credit card company lending practices, including when companies could increase annual percentage interest rates retroactively on an existing balance.  It expands a number of disclosure requirements for credit card companies and restricts the ability of credit card companies to change the terms of an account after it has been established. The bill passed April 30 by a vote of 357-70 (R: 105-69; D 252-1). Y=R, N=W