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Mike Thompson missed two important votes that might have created political liabilities for him today.
Congressman Thompson did not vote on H.R. 2764, which among other things gave President Bush another $70 billion to kill people in Iraq and Afghanistan, no strings attached. It is called the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal 2008. It passed with 272 Ayes (194 Republicans and 78 Democrats), 142 Nays (1 Republican and 142 Democrats) and 18 not voting (6 Republicans and 18 Democrats). The bill has been amended quite a bit and passed back and forth between the House and the Senate. In addition to the unrestricted funds for war, the bill contains many normal expenditures and a boatload of pork. This vote was to approve the version negotiated with the Senate.
Mike also did not vote on the Temporary Tax Relief Act, H.R. 3996, which exempted many citizens from paying the AMT (alternative minimum tax). The AMT was created because rich people often take some many deductions that they don't pay any income tax. As passed the exemption means couples can make $66,250 and individuals can make $44,350 without paying any federal income tax. Sound fair to you? Why not just say no one making less than those amounts owes any income tax? That sounds better to me. The vote was 352 Ayes, 64 Nays, with 16 not voting. This vote was to approve the version negotiated with the Senate.
Mike Thomspon is the current elected member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 1st Congressional District.