Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503230098
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
``Teen-aged mothers killing their own babies is not welfare reform,'' said Rep. Jim Bunn, an Oregon Republican who believes portions of his party's legislation will encourage abortion.
``I am deeply concerned that in the otherwise laudable drive to reduce illegitimacy and dependency, we are poised to enact legislation that is likely to increase the number of abortions performed,'' said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., another member of the House Pro-Life Caucus.
Bunn and Smith were among 15 anti-abortion Republicans who joined Democrats and narrowly failed to delay consideration of welfare changes that are part of the GOP ``Contract With America.'' The House voted 217-211 to begin debate on the bill. Afterward, Bunn said he would vote against the final legislation, and he will likely be joined by some other anti-abortion Republicans.
All of Virginia's Republican representatives voted to restrict amendments to the bill and begin debate; all Virginia Democrats voted against limiting amendments.
The procedural vote prevented consideration of several anti-abortion amendments, but two were allowed and - if passed - would alter the welfare reform package.
The anti-abortion movement is split on key parts of the Republican legislation that would stop cash payments to unwed mothers under age 18 and ban additional aid to mothers who have more children while on welfare.
The National Right to Life Committee and Roman Catholic bishops charge that these provisions would encourage poor women to have abortions. Some anti-abortion activists also charge that abortion is promoted in a section of the GOP legislation that rewards states that reduce their out-of-wedlock births.
But other anti-abortion groups, including the Family Research Council and the Christian Coalition, argue that - over time - the Republican provisions will decrease both pregnancies and abortions among unwed poor women.
``We want Congress to go for the long-term goal,'' said Kirstin Hansen of the Family Research Council. ``Illegitimate pregnancies cause so many problems, and we believe the best way to address illegitimacy is through welfare reform.''
In the close procedural vote, the Republican majority prevented debate and a vote on an amendment by Bunn that would have allowed cash welfare payments to the parents of poor, unwed teen mothers. To receive welfare through her parents, though, a teen-age mother would also have to remain in school or have earned at least a high school equivalency diploma.
The procedural vote also blocked consideration of an amendment by Democratic Reps. Harold Volkmer of Missouri and Pete Stark of California. Their amendment would have eliminated the rewards to states that reduce out-of-wedlock births. Stark has called that provision a ``bounty on abortions.''
However, the House will vote on an amendment by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., that would ban states from using federal welfare block grants to pay for abortions.
by CNB