Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 16, 1990                   TAG: 9005160176
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

SENATE VOTE LIMITS DEBATE ON AIDS BILL

The Senate's 95-3 debate-limiting vote was necessary to proceed with consideration of amendments after Helms raised his objections. A final vote was tentatively set for today, although Helms could delay the measure with amendments.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., called the overwhelming vote a clear signal the Senate intends to approve the measure. The bill has 67 Senate co-sponsors, more than enough for passage.

Helms, R-N.C., acknowledged his objections would be futile but said he would press them anyway. He charged that too much money was being spent on AIDS at the expense of other diseases, and that the money would encourage homosexuality.

"What originally began as a measured response to a public health emergency has become a weapon, frankly, for the deterioration if not the destruction of America's Judeo-Christian value system," Helms said.