WASHINGTON — Here’s how area senators voted in the week ending Aug. 7. The House was in recess.

U.S. Senate

Justice Sonia Sotomayor: Senators confirmed, 68-31, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, 54, of the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, as the 111th justice of the Supreme Court. A yes vote was to confirm Sotomayor to fill the seat made vacant by Justice David Souter’s retirement in June.

Voting yes: Patty Murray, D; Maria Cantwell, D

‘Cash for Clunkers’: Senators approved, 60-37, $2 billion for a program in which consumers trade gas guzzlers for vouchers worth $3,500 to $4,500 to be applied to the purchase of a new fuel-efficient vehicle. A yes vote was to send HR 3435 to President Obama and thus extend the law.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray

Deficit dispute: Senators defeated, 46-51, an amendment requiring the $2 billion cost of HR 3435 (above) to be offset by spending cuts elsewhere in the fiscal 2009 budget. A yes vote backed the measure over arguments the economic-stimulus program already covers the cost.

Voting no: Cantwell, Murray

Farm, food budget: Senators approved, 80-17, $23 billion in discretionary spending and $101 billion in mandatory spending for farm, food and nutrition programs in 2010. A yes vote was to pass a bill (HR 2997) with funding to meet increased demand for food assistance in the recession.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray

Milk price supports: Senators voted 60-37 to raise dairy price supports by $1.50 per hundred pounds of milk, adding $350 million to the cost of HR 2997 (above) and setting the stage for a small rise in retail milk prices. A yes vote was to raise milk price supports.

Voting yes: Cantwell, Murray

Key votes ahead: Congress is in recess until the week of Sept. 7.

Votes in Congress Service

Thomas Voting Reports Inc.