Oregon's congressional delegation and the bailout bills

Public record now exists for the members of Congress who support various bailout plans that the majority of the American public opposes. The results are fascinating. I have paid particular attention to the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as Oregon's representatives and senators.

The first item of consideration is the tally of House Vote #674 for the failed bailout bill in the House this last Monday. A majority of Democrats supported it, and a majority of Republicans opposed it, but similar and very sizable percentages of representatives from both parties voted against their own party. First, the representatives who vied in the long term for their party's presidential nomination: Both Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul voted nay. As for Oregon's representatives, Darlene Hooley and Greg Walden cast the only aye votes. Walden is the only Republican representative from Oregon, and is my representative.

Next is the Senate's 3-to-1 passage of their own bailout plan. Slightly more Democrats voted aye, including Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, and Barack Obama. John McCain joined them. Oregon's Republican senator, Gordon Smith, who is running for re-election, voted aye. Oregon's Democrat, Ron Wyden, voted nay.

Finally, the House just recently passed the Senate's bailout bill. Democrats supported it 3 to 1. Republicans opposed it only by a slim majority. Kucinich and Paul voted nay again. Hooley and Walden voted aye again, and David Wu joined them. Earl Blumenauer and Peter DeFazio were the only Oregonian representatives to consistently vote against these bailout proposals.

To recap spring's presidential candidates' votes:

• Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), aye;
• Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), aye;
• Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), aye;
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10), nay;
• Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), aye;
• Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), aye;
• Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX-14), nay.

And Oregon's congressional delegation:

• Sen. Gordon Smith (R), aye;
• Sen. Ron Wyden (D), nay;
• Rep. David Wu (D-1), nay, then aye;
• Rep. Greg Walden (R-2), aye;
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-3), nay;
• Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-4), nay;
• Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-5), aye.

Hope this is useful information.

— Athelwulf