[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 124 (Friday, September 14, 2012)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1540] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. EARL BLUMENAUER of oregon in the house of representatives Friday, September 14, 2012 Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, due to the birth of my daughter's first child, my first grandchild, I was unable to be in Washington, DC for votes on Thursday afternoon and Friday, September 13 and 14, 2012. Had I been present for votes those days, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 576: I would have voted in favor of the Van Hollen motion to recommit with instructions, legislation that would eliminate sequestration entirely, provided that subsequent deficit reduction is enacted that equals or exceeds sequestration's deficit reduction over 10 years. The Motion would also provide that such subsequent deficit reduction legislation be balanced by requiring upper income taxpayers pay their fair share, protecting middle class tax cuts, and including targeted spending cuts. Rollcall vote 577: I would have voted against H.R. 6365 that would irresponsibly have offered a cuts-only approach to deficit reduction and placed the enormous burden of those cuts solely on the non-defense discretionary budget and, by extension, squarely on the backs of the most vulnerable. Rollcall vote 578: I would have voted in favor of the Barber motion to recommit that would add a provision to the bill that extends the funding for Military, Reserve, and National Guard personnel for the full fiscal year, as well as extending coverage of disability examinations and the treatment and additional services for homeless and mentally ill veterans. Rollcall vote 579: Despite certain reservations, I would have voted in favor of H.J. Res. 117--Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013 to continue funding the government's operations for six additional months. Rollcall vote 580: I would have voted in favor of S. 3245 bill to extend by 3 years the authorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program. Rollcall vote 581: I would have voted in favor of the DeGette Amendment to make changes to the findings section of the bill, demonstrating that the loan restructuring complied with the law and highlighting that the projects funded to date are expected to create 60,000 jobs. Rollcall vote 582: I would have voted in favor of the Waxman Amendment allowing the program to continue to provide financing to innovative energy projects. Rollcall vote 583: I would have voted in favor of the Motion to Recommit, which would require that 75 percent of any materials used in projects receiving funding under the Incentives for Innovative Technologies program be produced in the United States. In addition, the Motion to Recommit would require the enactment of H.R. 6213 to be contingent on extension of the Production Tax Credit, which would further stimulate the clean energy economy. Rollcall vote 584: I would have voted against H.R. 6213, the No More Solyndras Act, which arbitrarily picks winners and losers in the alternative energy field. By setting a cut-off date of December 30, 2011, House Republicans are prioritizing older technologies--those most likely to fail--at the expense of newer, more innovative projects. ____________________