Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 1, 1993 TAG: 9307010364
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
While the final outcome will depend on action in the Senate, the margin of the vote, 255-178, was an indication that some form of the ban is likely to remain in place.
The vote also suggested trouble for President Clinton's health-care reform effort, if, as expected, he proposes making abortion part of a package of health-care benefits for all Americans.
The margin was a blow to the hopes of abortion-rights advocates for future battles. Also to come: congressional debate on the Freedom of Choice Act, which would limit restrictions states can impose.
Reps. Robert Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, and L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, voted in favor of the ban. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, voted to end it.
As evidence of the depth of emotion over the issue, the House became embroiled in an unusually bitter debate that took on racial overtones.
When the author of the ban, Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., suggested that some opponents were seeking federal funding of Medicaid abortions to reduce the number of poor people and "refine the breed," black women lawmakers assailed him both during and after the debate and sought, unsuccessfully, to have him censured.
Their furor gave vent to a larger and widespread frustration among many of the newer members of the Congress, who believe that despite the addition of 21 female lawmakers and 13 new black members, the balance of power in the House remains unchanged.
"It's still all white men in blue suits that know what's best for poor people," complained Rep. Corinne Brown, D-Fla. "All you've got to do is look at the votes."
Lawmakers said they expected the administration to help fashion a compromise on Medicaid funding for abortion as the legislation moves to the Senate, where the climate may be more favorable toward relaxing the ban, and then to a conference committee.
The amendment, as passed by the House, would allow the government to pay for abortion only in cases of rape and incest or to save a pregnant woman's life.
It differs from current law in that it includes rape and incest victims, who are believed to account for few abortions.
Opposition to lifting the ban came from many lawmakers who said that while they support a woman's right to abortion, they are reluctant to force taxpayers - millions of whom oppose the procedure on moral grounds - to underwrite the cost.
by CNB