Area Votes in Congress

WASHINGTON - Here is how Philadelphia area members of the U.S. Senate voted on major issues last week. The House was in recess.

A yes vote was to send the bill to a House-Senate conference.

Voting yes: Thomas Carper (D., Del.), Ted Kaufman (D., Del.), Bob Casey Jr. (D., Pa.), Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), Frank Lautenberg (D., N.J.) and Arlen Specter (D., Pa.).

A yes vote was to end GOP delay.

All Philadelphia-area senators voted yes.

A yes vote was to declare the bill unconstitutional.

All Philadelphia-area senators voted no.

A yes vote opposed the GOP measure.

All Philadelphia-area senators voted yes.

In nonmilitary provisions, the bill eases the terms of small-business loans; temporarily extends the National Flood Insurance Program; temporarily extends rules that let satellite TV viewers receive broadcasts of local channels, and expands federal-state nutrition programs.

It also extends certain expiring sections of the USA Patriot Act until March 1, delays deep cuts in Medicare payments to doctors until March 1, and extends jobless checks and COBRA health benefits for the long-term unemployed until March 1.

A yes vote was to adopt the conference report.

All Philadelphia-area senators voted yes.

A yes vote was to raise the federal debt ceiling.

All Philadelphia area senators voted yes.

This week. Congress is in recess until January.