THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 1, 1996 TAG: 9604010088
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 137 lines
Abortion: Voting 286 for and 129 against, the House sent President Clinton a bill (HR 1833) making it a crime for doctors to perform a late-term abortion procedure in which they partially extract the fetus, terminate it, collapse its skull and remove it. Defenders say the operation is humane to the mother while critics say it is heinous to the fetus. The bill allows the procedure only to save the mother's life. On this vote, the House accepted Senate language putting the burden of proof on prosecutors, who would be required to refute a doctor's defense that the procedure was necessary to keep the mother alive.
Andrea Seastrand, R-Calif., said: ``The practice of partial-birth abortion should spark outrage in all of us. We of this Congress have a duty . . . to protect children who might otherwise fall victim to this procedure.''
Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii, said Congress talks about ``getting big government off the backs of people'' but with this bill is ``trying to take away the rights of reproductive freedom that the Supreme Court has established.''
A yes vote was to pass the bill that was supported by the National Right to Life Committee and opposed by the National Abortion Rights Action League.
Bateman Yes Pickett No
Scott No Sisisky Yes
Clayton No Jones Yes
Debt and veto: The House passed, 328 for and 91 against, a bill (HR 3136) that establishes a line-item veto for presidents beginning next year, raises the U.S. debt limit from $4.9 trillion to $5.5 trillion, provides small business regulatory relief and gradually increases from $11,520 to $30,000 the amount Social Security recipients between 65 and 69 can earn without financial penalty. The veto provisions were sent to President Clinton for his expected signature and the remainder of the bill went to conference with the Senate.
Richard Armey, D-Texas, said the line-item veto ``is something the American people have called for for years'' but that Democrats, while they ran Congress, resisted ``in defiance of the will of the American people. Today we will pass it.''
Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, said: ``The line item veto is not about money (but) the balance of power. . . . It has nothing to do with Republicans and Democrats . . . (but) upsets the carefully calibrated balance between the legislative and executive branches.''
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Bateman Yes Pickett Yes
Scott Yes Sisisky Yes
Clayton Yes Jones Yes
Health coverage: Voting 267 for and 151 against, the House passed a bill (HR 3103) allowing workers to maintain health insurance coverage when they lose or switch jobs. The bill also prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions. In part, the Republican-authored bill also limits pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice suits to $250,000, establishes tax-free medical savings accounts, provides the self-employed with higher deductions for medical insurance and makes it easier for small businesses to pool together to obtain affordable health insurance. President Clinton said he will veto the bill unless certain changes are made.
Bill Archer, R-Texas, said: ``The answer to the nation's health care problems does not lie in a big government takeover . . . but in a targeted measure that relies on the strength of the private sector.''
John Dingell, D-Mich., said the bill was ``loaded down like a Christmas tree and will wind up with the same fate as a Christmas tree - dumped on the lawn at the conclusion of the season.''
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Bateman Yes Pickett Yes
Scott No Sisisky Yes
Clayton No Jones Yes
Democratic plan: The House rejected, 192 for and 226 against, a Democrat-sponsored alternative to the Republican health care bill (HR 3103 above). It retained portability of health insurance from job to job, assurances of continuing coverage despite pre-existing conditions and the ability of small employers to band together to buy coverage. But it stripped out most other provisions, including IRA-style medical savings accounts and limits sought by doctors on medical malpractice liability awards.
Marge Roukema, R-N.J., said: ``If you want to vote in support of health insurance reform . . . that will make a real difference in the daily lives of millions of Americans this year, support the . . . alternative. Anything else won't survive the legislative process.''
Thomas Bliley, R-Va., said the measure was weak on long-term care and failed to cap malpractice awards or establish medical savings accounts, adding that its ``most glaring omission is the failure to address the issue of fraud and abuse'' in the health care system.
A yes vote was to replace the broad Republican health care bill with a narrow Democratic alternative.
Bateman No Pickett Yes
Scott Yes Sisisky Yes
Clayton Yes Jones No SENATE
Line-item veto: By a vote of 69 for and 31 against, the Senate sent the House a bill (S4) giving presidents authority to kill individual spending items within a bill without having to veto the entire measure. The line-item veto bill also empowers presidents to single out and kill tax breaks benefiting fewer than 100 taxpayers as well as new or increased entitlement expenditures. These targeted vetoes would stand unless overridden by two-thirds majorities in each chamber.
John McCain, R-Ariz., said uncontrolled deficits pose ``the real danger'' to America's future because ``unnecessary and wasteful spending is threatening our national security'' by taking money away from vital defense needs.
Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., said: ``The control of the purse is the foundation of our constitutional system of checks and balances of powers among the three departments of government. The framers were very careful to place that control
A yes vote was to give presidents line-item veto power, beginning next year.
Robb Yes Warner Yes
Faircloth Yes Helms Yes
Minimum wage: On a vote of 55 for and 45 against, Democrats fell short of the three-fifths majority they needed to force a vote on raising the minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 an hour. The supermajority was required to end a GOP filibuster against the wage measure. This occurred during debate on an unrelated public lands bill (HR 1296) that awaited final action.
Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said the main question before the Senate was whether Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas would allow a direct vote on raising the minimum wage.
Dole said Democrats did not push the issue when they controlled Congress. ``Now, suddenly, after the AFL-CIO has their meeting and pledges millions and millions of dollars, (they) want to bring it up on the floor.''
A yes vote was to move to a direct vote on raising the minimum wage.
Robb Yes Warner No
Faircloth No Helms No ILLUSTRATION: ROLL CALL: How area members of Congress voted for the week
ending March 29.
[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