THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 7, 1996 TAG: 9610070056
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 91 lines
Here's how area members of Congress voted for the week ending Oct. 4. Congress has adjourned until January. HOUSE
Spending bill: By a vote of 370 for and 37 against, the House approved a massive end-of-session bill (HR 4278) appropriating fiscal 1997 budgets totalling about $390 billion for the departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Labor, State, Justice, Commerce, Interior and Treasury and other agencies. As later approved by the Senate (below) and signed by President Clinton, the foot-thick bill also set new immigration and banking policies, broadened the definition of pornography and made hundreds of other substantive changes in the federal code.
Its spending accounts for nearly one-fourth of the $1.6 trillion federal budget for 1997 and about two-thirds of the budget's non-entitlement spending. It contains more than $5 billion in add-ons for administration priorities that Republicans had previously tried to slash or kill, and it funds the Education and Commerce departments, which Republicans once sought to eliminate. But GOP leaders said the bill locks in net savings of $53 billion over the past two years and validates their efforts to halt the sharp spending growth that occurred when Democrats controlled Capitol Hill.
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Bateman Yes Pickett Yes
Scott Yes Sisisky Yes
Clayton Yes Jones Yes
Aviation budget: Voting 218 for and 198 against, the House approved the conference report on a bill (HR 3539) that authorizes $19 billion over two years for making capital improvements at airports, tightening airport and airline security, upgrading air traffic control facilities and funding the Federal Aviation Administration. Criticism was directed mainly at language concerning a Federal Express labor dispute (see Senate issue below) and the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate aircraft emissions. Critics said that as a result of turf wars between committees, the EPA ended up with power to regulate engine noise and emissions in a way that could undermine airline safety.
A yes vote was to approve the conference report.
Bateman Yes Pickett Yes
Scott No Sisisky No
Clayton No Jones Yes SEANTE
Catchall bill: By a vote of 84 for and 15 against, the Senate approved a catchall of fiscal and policy measures that Congress was unable to pass individually in its rush to adjournment. In addition to appropriating $390 billion for a variety of agencies, the bill (HR 4278, above) includes a House-passed measure to combat illegal immigration as well as language broadening the definition of child pornograpy and making it easier for police to search newsrooms for material concerning ``the sexual exploitation of children.'' The language was criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union and praised by the National Law Center for Children and Families.
Also, the bill provides regulatory relief for banks while requiring them and thrift institutions to increase their support of the savings-and-loan insurance fund. It requires banks to help thrifts and taxpayers pay for the hundreds of billions in Treasury borrowing that bailed the savings-and-loan industry out of its collapse in the 1980s. And it lays the foundation for eventually eliminating the federal distinction between savings-and-loans and banks.
Among other provisions, the bill provides $500,000 to reimburse the legal fees of fired aides in the White House travel office, outlaws gun ownership or possession by those convicted of domestic violence, and authorizes a study into the possibility of requiring tracing agents called ``taggants'' as a standard ingredient of explosives, provided that the study excludes ``black powder'' explosives.
Faircloth No Helms Yes
Robb Yes Warner Yes
Labor issue: By a vote of 92 for and two against, the Senate approved the conference report on a bill (HR 3539, above) authorizing $19 billion for aviation programs. The lopsided vote came after some Democrats held up the bill for several days over language they saw as anti-union. The language subjected Federal Express workers to the Railway Express Act, which requires unions to be national in scope, thus thwarting attempts by FedEx truck drivers in Pennsylvania to form a union. Democrats said the drivers should be covered by the National Labor Relations Act, which allows sub-national bargaining units, just as United Parcel Service drivers are subject to the NLRB.
A yes vote was to approve the legislation.
Faircloth Yes Helms Yes
Robb Yes Warner Yes ILLUSTRATION: [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