Charles Melancon on Government Reform Democrat

Supports campaign disclosure & donation regulations

Melancon voting records:
• Voted YES on HR 5175 on 6/24/10: Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements; Bill Passed 219-206
• Voted YES on HR 5803 on 7/15/08: Backup Paper Ballots; Bill Failed 248-170
• Voted YES on HR 5036 on 4/15/08: Federal Funding for Voting System Changes; Bill Failed 239-178
• Voted YES on S 1 on 7/31/07: Lobbying and Donation Regulations; Bill Passed 411-8
• Voted YES on HR 1905 on 4/19/07: District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act; Bill Passed 241-177

Voted YES on Senate pay raise.

Makes appropriations to the Senate for FY2010 for:
1. expense allowances;
2. representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders;
3. salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations);
4. agency contributions for employee benefits;
5. inquiries and investigations;
6. the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control;
7. the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate;
8. miscellaneous items;
9. the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and
10. official mail costs.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D, FL-20): We, as Members of Congress, have responsibility not just for the institution, but for the staff that work for this institution, and to preserve the facilities that help support this institution. We have endeavored to do that responsibly, and I believe we have accomplished that goal.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. SCALISE (R, LA-1): It's a sad day when someone attempts to cut spending in a bill that grows government by the size of 7%, and it's not allowed to be debated on this House floor. Some of their Members actually used the term "nonsense" and "foolishness" when describing our amendments to cut spending; they call that a delaying tactic. Well, I think Americans all across this country want more of those types of delaying tactics to slow down this runaway train of massive Federal spending. Every dollar we spend from today all the way through the end of this year is borrowed money. We don't have that money. We need to control what we're spending.