Tracking the votes on the Mexico border fence

This story, that the house voted 260-159 to pass an amendment on the immigration bill which would construct five fences totalling 698 miles along the Mexican border, comes as no real surprise. It falls right into the Republican pitfalls I described in my "Southern Strategy" piece a couple days ago.

But, I thought I could use this piece of.... erm, legislation (House Res. 610) to highlight this great and very useful congress votes tracking tool that Duke Skorich brought to my attention a couple weeks ago.

It's the WaPo Congress Votes Database, and it offers some detail on some of the bigger and more controversial votes. You can pick out your Congressman or Senator, and view his/her voting record on the bigger votes, look at the controversial "late night votes," or the votes in the last few days. Once you get down to the bill level, you can even check the votes by astrological sign! (and, of course, it does the same for the senate.)

I don't know if you've ever tried to get this kind of information from the official House or Senate sites, but it is quite difficult. So, if your a hardcore junkie, like me, I would add this to your bookmarks/favorites list, you never know when it could come in handy.

Three quick notes on this specific vote:

1) From the descriptions of what is being proposed, two reinforced barriers separated by some distance(a road?) with cameras, lighting and sensors, this is about as much of a fence as the Israeli "fence." Mr. Bush, tear down this wall.

2) It was proposed by Duncan Hunter, who also now stands as the main opposition to the McCain torture amendments.

3) And, of course, my pro-torture, cut food stamps congressman, the questionably honorable John Culberson voted for it.

Hope you find this all useful. And, thanks again, Duke.

(Also yesterday, this passed 401-22, "Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives That Those Who Celebrate Christmas Believe That the Symbols and Traditions of Christmas Should Be Protected.")