Tax Cut

By a vote of 221 to 209, the House passed a Democratic bill (HR 4210) to lower payroll taxes for people of middle income, raise them for the well-to-do, and provide pro-business tax breaks to help boost real estate sales and stimulate capital investment.

The core of the bill is a two-year program of tax credits that would enable all but the wealthiest to get back some of their Social Security and Medicare contributions. The program would yield up to $200 a year to singles and $400 to couples. It would be paid for by a surtax on million-dollar-plus incomes and higher rates for singles’ salaries above $85,000 and couples’ salaries above $145,000.

A yes vote was to pass the Democratic tax plan.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cunningham (R) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x

GOP Tax Plan

By a vote of 166 to 264, the House rejected a Republican alternative to the economic growth package later approved by the House (above). The GOP plan omitted the Democratic call for lower middle-income taxes paid for by higher taxes on the well-to-do. It recommended an array of recovery incentives, including a big cut in the capital gains tax rate, accelerated depreciation for equipment purchases and a $5,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers.

A yes vote supported the GOP plan.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cunningham (R) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x

Haitian Refugees

On a vote of 217 to 165, the House passed a bill (HR 3844) to block for six months the repatriation of thousands of Haitian refugees who have been taken into U.S. custody after fleeing their homeland. Supporters said the refugees are subject to harsh treatment if they go home; opponents said the Haitians are mainly fleeing poverty, not persecution.

A yes vote supported at least six months of political asylum for Haitian refugees.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cunningham (R) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x

900 Numbers

By a vote of 381 to 31, the House passed a bill (HR 3490) stepping up regulation of 900-number information services by the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission. The bill seeks to combat fraud, deceptive advertising and pricing scams by some of the 14,000-plus companies offering pay-per-call services.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cunningham (R) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x