THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 11, 1995 TAG: 9509110044
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 130 lines
Defense: Voting 294 for and 125 against, the House passed a bill appropriating $244.1 billion for the Department of Defense in fiscal 1996, a figure that is down slightly from 1995 but $7.8 billion more than President Clinton's Pentagon budget request for the year beginning Oct. 1. This vote sent the measure (HR 2126) to conference with a similar Senate bill (below).
The bill sharply increases spending for space- and land-based missile defenses, funds a 2.4 percent military pay raise, cuts spending for environmental cleanup at bases, sets the stage for expanded production of the B-2 Stealth bomber (next issue), denies money for a third Seawolf nuclear submarine, slightly reduces active-duty ranks to 1.485 million and reserve ranks to 927,073, and sharply cuts funding to help former Soviet republics dismantle nuclear and biological weapons. The bill bans abortions at military hospitals abroad except when the mother's life is endangered.
Supporter Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said the House should ``send a message to the American people that `We will protect your freedom at a price that we can afford.' ''
Opponent Pat Schroeder, D-Colo., said the national debt is the ``biggest threat'' to America and that ``this is the first time I ever remember on this House floor that we have voted for more money for the Defense Department than the president asked for, who is commander in chief, than the Pentagon asked for, than the Joint Chiefs asked for.''
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Bateman Yes Pickett Yes
Scott Yes Sisisky Abstained
Clayton No Jones Yes
B-2 bomber: By a vote of 210 for 213 against, the House rejected an amendment to kill the B-2 bomber after its initial production run of 20 planes. The vote kept $493 million for expanded B-2 production in HR 2126 (above), advancing plans by supporters to build another 20 copies at an estimated cost of $16 billion to $20 billion. At issue, in part, was whether a plane originally designed to deliver nuclear bombs inside the Soviet Union is justified now that the Cold War has ended and federal budget cutting has become a priority.
Supporter David Obey, D-Wis., said ``do not for one minute suggest that the United States security is threatened by not buying that flying turkey. The only thing that is threatened are the corporate budgets of the people who build that plane.''
Opponent Ike Skelton, D-Mo., said: ``If we turn down additional B-2s . . . we will be sending a message that deterrence does not count.''
A yes vote was to kill the B-2 bomber program after 20 planes.
Bateman No Pickett No
Scott Yes Sisisky Abstained
Clayton Yes Jones No
Budget for Congress: The House approved, 305 for and 101 against, the conference report on a bill (HR 1854) to fund the House, Senate and congressional support agencies in fiscal 1996. The $2.18 billion legislative branch budget is down 7.7 percent from the comparable 1995 bill. It sharply cuts agencies such as the General Accounting Office and Government Printing Office, begins a shutdown of the Office of Technology Assessment and reduces spending for committee staff. However, it allows higher spending for members' personal staffs and drops an earlier House attempt to kill the Joint Committee on Printing.
Supporter Ron Packard, R-Calif., said: ``Since the first of the year, Republicans have set an aggressive legislative agenda. . . . Let us move forward. Vote for deficit reduction . . .''
Opponent James Moran, D-Va., said eliminating the Office of Technology Assessment ``is going to make us much more reliant upon the high-priced lobbyists that represent the billion-dollar telecommunications industry . .
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Bateman Yes Pickett No
Scott No Sisisky Abstained
Clayton Yes Jones Yes Senate
Pentagon budget: By a vote of 62 for and 35 against, the Senate sent to conference with the House a $242.7 billion Pentagon budget (S 1087) for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. In part, the Senate bill differed from the House version (above) by funding a third Seawolf submarine and rejecting another production run of B-2 bombers. Both bills spend several billions more than President Clinton requested for weaponry such as aircraft, shipbuilding and missile defenses, while cutting administration requests in areas such as international peacekeeping and environmental cleanup at bases.
Supporter Robert Smith, R-N.H., said: ``First and foremost, the legislation accelerates the development and deployment of national missile defenses to protect all Americans against the threat of ballistic missiles.''
Opponent Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said: ``The bill before us is truly unique. In an era of wholesale budget reductions, (it) contains an overall spending increase of nearly $7 billion over what the president and Pentagon requested.''
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Robb Yes Warner Yes
Helms Abstained Faircloth Yes
Missile defense: Voting 85 for and 13 against, the Senate added compromise language to S 1124 (above) for developing a space- and land-based anti-missile defense system. The vote dropped a 2003 deadline for deploying the system while keeping its technology on a fast development track with 1996 funding of about $700 million. The compromise gives the administration leeway to negotiate treaty terms with Russia to avoid conflicts with existing arms control pacts between the two countries.
A yes vote supported the compromise plan for developing a national anti-missile defense system.
Robb Yes Warner Yes
Helms Yes Faircloth Yes
Welfare reform: By a vote of 45 for and 54 against, the Senate rejected the Democratic alternative to a Republican welfare reform bill (S 4) that remained in debate. The Democratic plan sought to keep the federal government as a welfare safety net at the same time it shifted public assistance programs to the states along with block grants. The GOP block grant approach would more abruptly end Washington's role. While both parties require welfare recipients to find work, the Democratic approach was to guarantee community service jobs for those unable to find private sector employment. The Democrats sought a stronger federal role in child care and in assuring that the basic needs of welfare children are met by states.
A yes vote supported the Democratic alternative.
Robb Yes Warner No
Helms No Faircloth No ILLUSTRATION: ROLL CALL: How area members of Congress voted for the week
ending Sept. 9
[Photos, telephone numbers and addresses of senators and
representatives from Virginia and North Carolina.]
To reach any representative or senator on any issues that concern
you, call (202) 224-3121.
by CNB