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

DATE: MONDAY, July 24, 1995                   TAG: 9507240044
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOW THEY VOTED

Federal regulations

The Senate on Thursday rejected 58-40 a motion to continue debate on a bill to make it more difficult for federal agencies to issue regulations. The vote was the third attempt to reach cloture - two earlier votes failed by greater margins. The bill would require agencies to do cost-benefit analyses on regulations that cost all businesses a total of $100 million.

Supporters argued the measure would get the government off the backs of the American people. Opponents charged it would unfairly favor big business at the expense of the environment and public health.

The measure required 60 votes to pass. A ``yes'' vote favors the regulatory reform bill.

Sen. Charles Robb, Democrat...N

John Warner, Republican...Y

Affirmative action

The Senate on Thursday rejected 61-36 an amendment to a legislative branch spending bill to prohibit the federal government from awarding contracts on the basis of race. Sponsored by presidential contender Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, the amendment was a response to President Clinton's firm defense of affirmative action programs the day before.

Supporters of the measure said affirmative action is a form of discrimination and should be barred. Opponents argued it was inappropriate to attach a social policy amendment to a spending bill. A ``yes'' vote favors the amendment.

Robb...N

Warner...Y

House

Arts funding

The House on Monday rejected 227-179 a measure to reduce the 1996 National Endowment for the Arts budget by an additional $10 million. Under the House bill, the agency would receive $99.5 million in 1996, a cut of about $63 million from this year.

Supporters of the amendment to the Interior Department programs spending bill said the government should not subsidize ``lurid'' art. Opponents said the Endowment would have to endure enough of a cut as it was. A ``yes'' vote favors further reducing the Endowment's budget.

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon)...N

Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Roanoke)...Y

Rep. L.F. Payne (D-Nelson County)...N

Abortion

The House on Wednesday voted to strike abortion services from federal health insurance plans. The 235-188 vote was on an amendment to strike the ban from a Treasury Department spending bill.

Supporters of the amendment argued that forbidding federal employees from obtaining abortion services was an infringement on personal choice. Opponents said the federal government should not subsidize ``killing babies.'' A ``yes'' vote favors striking the ban, thus allowing federal health plans to include abortion services.

Boucher...Y

Goodlatte...N

Payne...Y

Mexico aid

The House on Wednesday approved 245-183 an amendment prohibiting the government from continuing to use a rescue fund to bail out the faltering Mexican economy. President Clinton put $20 billion in the fund in January, $12.5 billion of which has been used.

Supporters of the amendment to the Treasury Department spending bill said the United States should not continue to loan so much money to rescue a country whose political and economic future is in doubt. Opponents countered that helping Mexico's economy would be in the country's long-term economic interest. The loan ban would take effect Oct. 1. A ``yes'' vote favors cutting off loans to Mexico.

Boucher...N

Goodlatte...Y

Payne...N

- States News Service