I ran across this tidbit from the Associated Press from a few days ago:
Michigan's congressional delegation showed divisions over proposals to increase the minimum wage, expand stem cell research and implement more of the anti-terror measures offered by the 9/11 commission.This is Michigan's delegation to the House of Representatives:
| Democrat (6) | Republican (9) |
| Bart Stupak, Dale Kildee, Sander Levin, Carolyn Kilpatrick, John Conyers, John Dingell | Peter Hoekstra, Vern Ehlers, Dave Camp, Fred Upton, Tim Walberg, Mike Rogers, Joe Knollenberg, Candace S. Miller, Thaddeus McCotter |
So here's the voting breakdown:
- Minimum Wage: Six Democrats and four Republicans (Ehlers, McCotter, Upton, and Miller) voted for the measure to increase the minimum wage to $7.25/hour. Comment:
Upton said the move was long overdue, noting that someone working 40 hours a week on a minimum wage job would earn less than $11,000 a year. "I have always considered the minimum wage to be a starting wage and one that will not suffice for a 'head of household,'" Upton said.Note that Michigan already has a minimum wage increase in place, rising to $7.40/hr in mid-2008, possibly meaning that the few R's voting against the measure did so for partisan or other reasons, such as trying to include pro-business amendments.
- Stem Cell Research: Six Democrats and one Republican (Upton) voted for the law. Comments:
"We need to focus on exploring alternatives to the only method of stem cell research that requires the destruction of human life," said Rep. Pete Hoekstra..Funny thought, considering that Bart Stupak is a pro-life Dem who supported the measure.
- 9/11 Commission Recommendations: Six Democrats and five Republicans (Camp, McCotter, Miller, Rogers and Upton. Knollenberg didn't vote.) Comment:
Hoekstra, the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, said the bill "was in no way about national security and intelligence, it was a heavy-handed effort to check a box on a campaign promise that remains unfulfilled."Umm, sure thing, Pete....
