Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 2, 1993 TAG: 9307020083
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"It seems to me these men don't realize that we are equal partners in this House of Representatives," said Rep. Cardiss Collins, D-Ill.
"We have as much right to object, to offer amendments. . . . They can't tell us to shut up," Collins told reporters.
She complained of a "paternalistic attitude" by men during Wednesday's debate.
Collins and other members of the 48-member women's caucus tried to analyze what went wrong Wednesday when they were defeated, 255-178, as the House approved an amendment by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., to retain a ban on Medicaid funding for abortions.
Congresswomen voted 37-11 against the ban. Democratic women split 31-5 against it, while Republican women were divided, 6-6.
Several women complained that the male House leadership should not have permitted Hyde's last-minute amendment because Congress is not allowed to legislate on spending bills. Hyde persuaded parliamentarians to allow his amendment.
His inclusion of exceptions for abortions in rape or incest cases constituted legislation and made the amendment more acceptable to House members, easing its passage, the women said.
"We were rolled from the inside," said Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.
"There was concern among members about the parliamentary ruling, and there was some uniqueness about that ruling," said House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo. "But I think the parliamentarians are straightforward and honest about the way they do their jobs."
"It felt like we were abandoned, like we were left out there to sink," Rep. Pat Schroeder, D-Colo., said. "I don't blame anyone in particular."
Speaker Thomas Foley, D-Wash., who voted against the bill, said the Senate likely would have restricted Medicaid funding for abortions anyway.
by CNB