U.S. CONGRESS

HOUSE

The House voted 395-34 on Wednesday to fund the Defense Department for 2010. The Senate passed the measure yesterday.

Yeas: Jason Altmire, D-McCandless; Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Erie; Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills; Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair; John Murtha, D-Johnstown; Bill Shuster, R-Blair; Glenn Thompson, R-Centre

Also on Wednesday, the House voted 218-214 to raise the national debt limit to $12.394 trillion, a hike of $290 billion that will avoid a January default by the government on its debt. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Yeas: Jason Altmire, D-McCandless; Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Erie; Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills; John Murtha, D-Johnstown;

Nays: Jim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair; Bill Shuster, R-Blair; Glenn Thompson, R-Centre

SENATE

The Senate voted 51-48 on Tuesday to amend the health care bill to allow importation of pharmaceuticals from other countries. The amendment failed because it needed 60 votes to pass.

Yeas: Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

Nays: Bob Casey, D-Pa.

The Senate voted yesterday 88-10 to fund the Defense Department for 2010. The bill now awaits the president's signature.

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

PA. LEGISLATURE

The Democratic-led House voted 103-92 to approve its version of Senate Bill 711, which would permit table games at casinos. Local legislators voted as follows:

Yeas (all 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, John Pallone, Joe Petrarca, Joe Preston, Harry Readshaw, Matt Smith, Tim Solobay, Chelsa Wagner, Don Walko, Jake Wheatley, Jesse White.

Nays (all Republicans): Jim Christiana, Brian Ellis, Tim Krieger, Jim Marshall, Daryl Metcalfe, Mark Mustio, Jeff Pyle, Dick Stevenson, Mike Turzai, Randy Vulakovich.

Also, last week, the state Senate voted 27-22 to approve its version of the bill, which is different from the House, so no final bill is in place yet.

Yeas: Democrats Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo, Wayne Fontana, Richard Kasunic, Sean Logan, Barry Stout, John Wozniak and Republicans Elder Vogel and Don White

Nays: Republicans John Pippy, Kim Ward and Mary Jo White. Republican Jane Orie didn't vote.

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