HOUSE

HOUSE
Homeland security
The House approved 278-146 an amendment by Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., to prohibit funds from being used to approve, renew or implement any aviation-cargo security plans that would allow unscreened or uninspected cargo to be carried on passenger planes.
Yes: Ohio -- Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-13th; Rep. Robert W. Ney, R-18th; Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, D-17th; Rep. Ted Strickland, D-6th. Pa. -- Rep. Melissa A. Hart, R-4th.
No: Ohio -- Rep. Ralph Regula, R-16th. Pa. -- Rep. Phil English, R-3rd.
More security
The House approved 425-2 legislation that funds the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2004.
Yes: Ohio -- Brown, Ney, Regula, Ryan, Strickland. Pa. -- English, Hart.
SENATE
Reimbursements
The Senate approved 94-1 an amendment by Sens. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, and Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., that would provide reimbursements to federally qualified health centers that participate in the Medicare managed-care program.
Yes: Ohio -- Mike DeWine, R; George Voinovich, R. Pa. -- Rick Santorum, R; Arlen Specter, R.
Advertising
The Senate rejected 26-69 an amendment by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., introduced on behalf of Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., to strengthen protections for consumers against misleading direct-to-consumer drug advertising.
No: Ohio -- DeWine, Voinovich. Pa. -- Santorum, Specter.
Coverage gap
The Senate rejected 39-56 an amendment by Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., that said an eligible beneficiary is not responsible for paying the applicable percent of the monthly national average premium while the beneficiary is in a coverage gap. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said because 12 percent of seniors would face a gap in coverage under the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act, the standard coverage should be altered. Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, led the opposition, saying it would cost $200 billion.
No: Ohio -- DeWine, Voinovich. Pa. -- Santorum, Specter.
Lower prices
The Senate rejected 39-56 an amendment by Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., to lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare bill. The amendment does not require any additional funding but does prioritize the needs of seniors and those receiving health care. The amendment will help eliminate deductibles and set up a fixed premium fee.
No: Ohio -- DeWine, Voinovich. Pa. -- Santorum, Specter.
Safety study
The Senate rejected 43-52 an amendment by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., to study the effectiveness and safety of Medicare-covered drugs to make sure seniors can make meaningful comparisons about quality and efficacy.
No: Ohio -- DeWine, Voinovich. Pa. -- Santorum, Specter.