Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508140047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Abortion
The Senate on Aug. 5 agreed 50-44 to ban abortion services in federal health care plans except in cases of rape, incest or when the woman's life is in danger. The measure was an amendment to a Treasury Department spending bill. Supporters said the federal government should not subsidize what they see as murder. Opponents said female federal employees should not be denied a legal medical practice. A ``yes'' vote favors banning abortion services for federal employees.
Sen. Charles Robb, Democrat N
Sen. John Warner, Republican Y
American Indians
The Senate on Thursday rejected 36-61 an amendment to an Interior Department spending bill that would have restored $200 million to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The bill cut the Bureau's budget to $1.26 billion, $258 million less than this year. Supporters of the amendment said the cut would prevent tribes from providing basic services. Opponents countered that the reductions are needed to balance the budget. The overall Interior spending bill was later approved by a 92-6 margin. A ``yes'' vote favors restoring money for the Bureau.
Robb N
Warner N
House
Telecommunications
The House on Aug. 4 approved 305-117 a bill deregulating the telecommunications industry, allowing for more competition in cable TV and local telephone services. The bill would eliminate most federal controls on cable TV pricing. Supporters said removing competition would benefit consumers by breaking up monopolies. Opponents charged that the bill does not ensure the monopolies will be broken up, leaving consumers vulnerable to higher prices and less choice. A ``yes'' vote favors the bill.
Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) Y
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke) Y
Rep. L.F. Payne (D-Nelson County) Y
\ Labor/Health and Human Services
The House on Aug. 3 approved 219-208 a bill that would drastically reduce spending on education and social programs. The spending bill for the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services would provide $60.9 billion for those social programs for fiscal 1996, $9.1 billion less than this fiscal year. Programs to be cut include Head Start, Goals 2000, worker training and student loans. Supporters said the cuts are needed to balance the budget. Opponents argued the reductions would result in a less educated and less productive population. A ``yes'' vote favors the bill.
Boucher N
Goodlatte Y
Payne N
TV companies
The House on Aug. 4 approved 228-195 an amendment to a telecommunications bill to prohibit companies from owning TV stations that reach more than 35 percent of the nationwide audience. Currently, the limit is 25 percent, which the original bill would have increased to 50 percent. The bill's sponsor said news of the Capital Cities/ABC merger helped win approval of the 35 percent limit. Supporters argued that television airwaves should not be dominated by one or two huge networks. Opponents said the limit would stifle the free market economy. A ``yes'' vote favors the 35 percent limit.
Boucher Y
Goodlatte N
Payne Y
V-chips
The House on Aug. 4 approved 224-199 an amendment to a telecommunications bill to require television set manufacturers to install v-chips in new sets with screens bigger than 13 inches. The chips would allow parents to block out programs they don't want their children to watch. Supporters said parents should be able to filter violent programs. Opponents argued that television manufacturers should install the chips voluntarily. A ``yes'' vote favors the v-chip requirement.
Boucher Y
Goodlatte Y
Payne Y
by CNB