ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 16, 1997 TAG: 9702170044
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
Senate
U.N. ambassador
The Senate on Tuesday voted unanimously to confirm Rep. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Richardson is the sixth Clinton Cabinet appointee to be confirmed this year. The Senate also has confirmed Madeleine Albright as secretary of state, William Cohen for Defense, Andrew Cuomo for Housing and Urban Development, Rodney Slater for Transportation and William Daley for Commerce. A ``yes'' vote favors Richardson's confirmation.
Charles Robb, Democrat - Y
John Warner, Republican - Y
House
Term limits
The House of Representatives on Wednesday failed to pass an amendment to the Constitution requiring term limits for members of Congress. Although more members voted for the measure than against it, the 217-211 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments. Supporters of the measure said that 12-year limits were needed to prevent members of Congress from becoming ``career politicians'' who lose touch with their constituencies. Opponents said the American people can impose their own limits by voting members out of Congress and that the measure would rob voters of choices. A ``yes'' vote favors term limits.
Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) - N
Virgil Goode (D-Rocky Mount) - Y
Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke) - Y
Family planning
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved, 220-209, a resolution supporting the release of U.S. aid to foreign family planning organizations. The vote will allow monthly payments of $30million to be made starting March1, instead of July1, as originally planned by Congress. Opponents of the measure said the funds would make it easier for family planning groups to conduct abortions. Supporters said it is illegal to apply U.S. funds toward abortion and that the funds would in fact lower abortion rates by making contraceptives available to poor women in developing nations. A ``yes'' vote favors making more funds available.
Boucher - Y
Goode - N
Goodlatte - N
Abortion
The House of Representatives voted Thursday, 231-194, in favor of cutting U.S. assistance to overseas family planning organizations that provide, advocate or have any links with abortion services. Supporters of the measure said that while U.S. funds don't go directly toward providing abortions, the funds free up other money within organizations so that abortions may be conducted. Opponents disagreed, saying U.S. funds helped reduce abortions by making contraceptives and education available to women. A ``yes'' vote favors cutting off U.S. aid to organizations that offer abortion services.
Boucher - N
Goode - Y
Goodlatte - Y
- States News Service
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB