ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605060135
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: States News Service
WASHINGTON WATCH VOTE CHART Questions regarding this transmission should be directed to 202-628-3100 ext. 221. WASHINGTON, May 3 -- Here are the votes of House and Senate members on key bills and amendments this week. It also includes a House vote from last week on the minimum wage. A ``Y'' means the members voted for the measure; an ``N'' means the members voted against the measure; a ``?'' means the member did not vote; and a ``P'' means the member voted ``present.''
Senate
Asylum
The Senate on Wednesday voted 51-49 to repeal recently enacted rules that crack down on people who attempt to seek asylum in the United States with false documents. The provision allows U.S. officers to turn back asylum seekers who fail to show a legitimate fear of persecution. Senators voting to repeal the provision said it would punish people who need protection but are unable to obtain legal documents. Opponents of the repeal said the current system allows thousands of illegal aliens to enter the country with fraudulent claims. A ``yes'' vote favors repealing the tougher rules for asylum seekers, included in an anti-terrorism bill recently signed by President Clinton.
Sen. Charles Robb, DemocratY
Sen. John Warner, RepublicanN
Immigration
The Senate on Thursday approved 97-3 an immigration reform bill that would increase border patrols, make employers verify whether job applicants are eligible to work in the United States, increase penalties for smuggling aliens into the country and cut off many legal immigrants from a variety of federal health care and welfare programs. Supporters said the bill would curb illegal immigration. Opponents argued the measure was ``mean-spirited.'' A ``yes'' vote favors the immigration reform bill.
Robb...Y
Warner...Y
House
Minimum wage
The House on April 25 voted 220-200 to block a move by Democrats to force a vote on legislation to raise the minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.15 an hour. The tally does not reflect the likely vote on wage legislation since only 13 of the nearly two dozen Republicans who support a wage increase broke ranks on the procedural vote. Those voting ``yes'' accused Democrats of playing cynical political games, and most agreed that a wage increase would cost jobs. Those voting ``no'' said people can't get by on $4.25 an hour. A ``yes'' vote favors blocking a vote on a minimum wage bill.
Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon)N
Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-Roanoke)Y
Rep. L.F. Payne (D-Nelson County)N
State Department
In a 234-188 vote Tuesday, the House fell 48 votes shy of the two-thirds needed to override President Clinton's veto of a foreign policy bill. The $13 billion bill for fiscal years 1996 and 1997 would have cut funding for the State Department and related agencies by $500 million from present levels. Supporters said the bill would make the State Department more efficient and reduce the deficit. Opponents criticized provisions that would have abolished one of three international agencies. They also said the bill would limit the president's authority to conduct foreign policy. A ``yes'' vote favors overriding Clinton's veto.
BoucherN
GoodlatteY
PayneN
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB