[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2004

  Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. Speaker, had I been present for the following 
votes on Tuesday, September 21, 2004, I would have voted as follows:
  Rollcall vote 457: 1 would have voted ``yea'' on the Van Hollen 
amendment, which prevents OMB from spending any funds to implement the 
A-76 rewrite changes that were finalized on May 29 regarding federal 
employees and contractors.
  Rollcall vote 458: I would have voted ``yea'' on the Sanders 
amendment. This amendment prohibits the use of funds to assist in 
overturning Cooper v. IBM--on July 31, 2003, a federal court ruled that 
IBM's cash balance pension plan violates federal anti-age 
discrimination law. This amendment protects U.S. workers who have been 
negatively impacted by age-discrimination cash balance pension 
conversions.
  Rollcall vote 459: I would have voted ``yea'' on the Norton 
amendment. This amendment prohibits the use of funds in the bill to 
enter into or renew any contract for a high deductible health plan 
under the federal employees health benefit plan that does not require 
enrollees to remain enrolled in such plan for at least 3 consecutive 
years from the date of initial enrollment.
  Rollcall vote 460: I would have voted ``yea'' on the Davis (FL) 
amendment, which would prohibit the use of funds in the bill to enforce 
new restrictions on travel to Cuba for the purpose of visiting 
relatives.

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