HOUSE

No significant votes.

SENATE

The Senate on Tuesday voted 53-46 to establish an independent commission to make recommendations to Congress on the national debt. The measure failed because it did not reach the required 60-vote threshold. President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced that he would create the commission by executive order.

Nays

Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

The Senate on Thursday voted 60-40 to re-impose pay-as-you-go rules, mandating that all legislation be funded.

Yeas

Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

Also Thursday, the Senate voted 70-30 to confirm Ben Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Yeas

Bob Casey, D-Pa.;

Nays

Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

HOUSE

The House voted 156 to 40 last week in favor of an amendment to a distracted driving bill that would ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones. Southwestern Pennsylvania legislators voted as follows:

YES

Democrats -- James Casorio; Dom Costa; Paul Costa; Peter Daley; Tony DeLuca; Frank Dermody; Bill DeWeese; Dan Frankel; Marc Gergely; Jaret Gibbons; Ted Harhai; Bill Kortz; Nick Kotik; Deberah Kula; David Levdansky; Tim Mahoney; Joe Markosek; Robert Matzie; Joseph Petrarca; Harry Readshaw; Matt Smith; Tim Solobay; Chelsa Wagner; Jake Wheatley; Jesse White.

Republicans -- Brian Ellis; Jim Marshall; Mark Mustio; Dick Stevenson.

NO

Democrats -- John Pallone; Chris Sainato.

Republicans -- Jim Christiana; Daryl Metcalfe; Jeff Pyle; Mike Turzai.

SENATE

No significant votes.

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