Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 1, 1995 TAG: 9508010087
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
By a 210-210 tie, Republican leaders succeeded in killing a provision - approved only Friday - that seemingly had blunted their drive to relieve business from the burdens of complying with laws aimed at keeping contaminants out of air, water, fragile wetlands and food.
By its tie vote, the House revived GOP language in a spending bill that would block the Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing 17 anti-pollution laws and regulations. Amendments are defeated unless they have a majority of the vote, and the tie vote was cast on an amendment that would have removed the EPA restrictions from the legislation.
In an agonizingly dramatic vote that wavered back and forth until the end, the roll call was gaveled to a close - and to a victory for the GOP leaders who control the chamber - moments after the vote went to 210-210 from 210-209 in favor of protecting the EPA's enforcement powers.
``Pressure from polluters and special interests has prevailed over the health and safety of the American people,'' EPA Administrator Carol Browner said after the vote.
Monday's roll call reversed a 212-206 roll call taken Friday in which lawmakers approved a provision by Reps. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., and Louis Stokes, D-Ohio, to remove from the bill the EPA restrictions that had been written into it.
In the earlier vote, Democrats and moderate Republicans had bested pro-business conservatives led by Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, the No. 3 House GOP leader. The tables were turned, however, on Monday, despite warnings from moderates that the House should not reverse itself.
``Did the environment suddenly become less fragile over the weekend?'' asked Boehlert just before the vote. ``Did ... constituents lose their fondness for clean air and water?''
But Democrats went further, saying the vote would be used in next year's campaigns to paint Republicans as a party that cares little about the environment.
``There's a lot of people who are going to live to regret that vote,'' predicted Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich. ``They're going to have a chance to see this in 30-second ads.''
The underlying legislation, a $79.4 billion measure for environmental, veterans, housing and space programs for next year, then was approved on a 228-193 roll call.
The legislation now moves to the Senate.
by CNB