In 2003, AWB tracked the votes in which we contacted Washington’s two senators and nine House members. We then compared our votes with the Chamber, NAM, the Sierra Club and the AFL-CIO. The 2003 AFL-CIO voting record was not available, so we used the 2002 totals. No vote counts were published for organizations like the American Trial Lawyers Association or the American Tort Reform Association.

Details of Association Health Plans Splits Employers

AWB recorded votes on eight key issues and only one of which is different from the Chamber and NAM. That issue was allowing associations to offer health plans to small employers. While we agree with our national affiliates about the need for association health plans, the details of the legislation were problematic because we believed they allowed unacceptable cost shifting of health care costs. So we disagreed, and while the bill passed the House, it was not considered by the Senate.

In the House, Democrats Jay Inslee, Bainbridge Island; Rick Larsen, Everett; Brian Baird, Vancouver; Norm Dicks, Tacoma; and Jim McDermott, Seattle, supported AWB while Republicans Jennifer Dunn, Bellevue; George Nethercutt, Spokane; and, Doc Hastings, Pasco, opposed. Democrat Adam Smith, Federal Way, did not vote.

Liability Lawsuit Reform is a National Issue Also

On liability lawsuit reform, AWB President Don Brunell and former Washington Governor Booth Gardner (D) continue to coordinate our state’s coalitions. AWB, the Chamber and NAM lobbied to pass class action and medical malpractice lawsuit reform. We also wanted Congress to address asbestos litigation fairness as well; however, that did not happen.

The House of Representatives passed medical malpractice and class action legislation pretty much on party line votes. Only Larsen split with his fellow Democrats and voted for class action fairness. Meanwhile, in the Senate Murray and Cantwell voted to allow the class action fairness bill to be filibustered. Their vote against cloture on Oct. 28 killed the bill.

Larsen also voted with the Republicans to permanently repeal the federal estate tax, the so-called “Death Tax.” Democrats opposed the legislation which passed and President Bush signed.

Party Line Votes on Energy, but Not Healthy Forests

AWB also wanted Congress to open a tiny portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuse (ANWR) in Alaska — 30,000 of the estimated 19 million acres — for environmentally safe oil and gas exploration. On this issue, Dunn joined Democrats in the delegation to oppose drilling. AWB supported exploration because we need oil for our refineries and natural gas to heat our homes, generate electricity and to make fertilizers, paper and other industrial products.

On the comprehensive energy bill which AWB supported, Washington’s Democrats opposed it, while Republicans were in support.

But it was a mixed bag on President Bush’s Healthy Forest Restoration legislation, a bill designed to salvage trees from the mammoth western wildfires and to thin the forest to prevent those holocausts. On final passage, Democrat Senator Patty Murray joined House members Larsen, Baird, Hastings, Dunn, Nethercutt, Dicks and Smith to support the President.

On energy and environment issues, the Sierra Club opposed AWB, the Chamber and NAM.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Passes

Finally, when the President proposed prescription drug coverage for senior citizens, AWB, the Chamber and NAM liked the plan while the unions opposed it. In the end, HR 1 passed Congress and was signed into law by President Bush. Senators Murray and Cantwell said no as did Inslee, Larsen, Baird, Dicks and Smith. McDermott, a physician, did not vote.

“These votes are important to employers and jobs,” AWB President Don Brunell concluded. “Only Senator Cantwell’s term does not expire this year and there are two open House seats. There is a spirited race developing between Congressman Nethercutt and Senator Murray. It is important to look at how each member voted on issues important to employers and support those candidates who vote to create jobs.”

If you want details about the votes, check AWB’s Web site at www.awb.org. The 2004 legislative voting record will published in the July-August issue of Washington Business Magazine.