Voterama in Congress for the week ending Feb. 3, 2012

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How Illinois lawmakers voted in Congress Week ending February 3

Updated: February 6, 2012 9:46AM

2010 Health Law: Members voted, 267-159, to repeal a section of the 2010 health law enabling workers to buy long-term-care insurance for paying health bills, remaining solvent and staying off Medicaid in old age. The administration already has suspended the program on grounds it is too costly to continue. A yes vote backed HR 1173.

Medicaid Cost Controls: Members rejected, 164-260, a bid by Democrats to delay the effective date of HR 1173 (above) until federal auditors certify that repealing the insurance program for long-term care would not raise state and federal Medicaid outlays. A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

Washington Pay Freeze: Members voted, 309-17, to add one more year — through 2013 — to existing pay freezes for members of Congress and federal civil servants. A yes vote backed the bill over arguments it would penalize workers such as those who care for veterans and guard U.S. borders. (HR 3835)

Federal Aviation Budget: Members approved, 248-169, a federal aviation budget of $63.3 billion through September 2015. A yes vote was to pass a bill modernizing air-traffic control, subsidizing commercial flights to smaller cities and providing $13.4 billion for airport improvements. (HR 658)

Lawmakers’ Insider Trading: Senators voted, 96-3, to bar members of Congress and congressional staff from using inside information gleaned privately in their legislative work in the trading of stocks. A yes vote backed a bill (S 2038) also adding transparency to members’ financial disclosures.

Ban on Stocks: Senators refused, 26-73, to bar lawmakers from owning individual stocks except in blind trusts. A yes vote was to hold lawmakers to the same conflict-of-interest rules they impose on congressional staff and which executive- branch employees also must follow. A yes vote backed the amendment to S 2038

Congressional Term Limits: Senators defeated, 24-75, a nonbinding amendment to S 2038 (above) calling upon Congress to send the states a constitutional amendment that would set term limits for members of Congress. A yes vote was to add term limits to a bill barring inside trading by lawmakers.

Kev votes ahead

In the week of Feb. 6, the House will take up a ban on members of Congress using private legislative information in their personal stock trading. The Senate will debate a long-term federal aviation budget.