ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 2, 1997 TAG: 9703030062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
Senate
Family planning
The Senate on Tuesday approved, 53-46, a resolution supporting the release of U.S. aid to foreign family planning organizations. The vote will allow monthly payments of $30million to be made starting March1, instead of July1, as originally planned by Congress. Opponents of the measure said the funds make it easier for family planning groups to conduct abortions. Supporters said it is illegal to apply U.S. funds toward abortion procedures and that funds would in fact lower abortion rates by making contraceptives available to poor women in developing nations. A ``yes'' vote favors making funds more available.
Charles Robb, Democrat Y
John Warner, Republican Y
Budget
The Senate on Wednesday voted 63-37 against adopting freshman Sen. Robert Torricelli's (D-N.J.) changes to a proposed balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. Torricelli's proposal would exempt spending on some infrastructure projects and allow extra spending by the government during a recession or national security crisis. Opponents said the proposal would open up gigantic loopholes for government overspending. Supporters said that without the changes, a balanced-budget amendment would handcuff the nation in times of military and economic emergency. A ``yes'' vote favors passing Torricelli's amendment.
Robb N
Warner N
House
Air tax
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved, 347-73, a bill to reinstate airline and other aviation taxes to raise $2.7billion through 1998. The bill, which also passed in the Senate by voice vote, includes a 10percent levy on domestic commercial airline tickets to raise revenues for crucial airport infrastructure and safety projects, supporters said. Opponents complained that the taxes were either insufficient or too high. President Clinton said he would sign the measure. A ``yes'' vote favors reinstating the tax.
Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) Y
Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke) Y
L.F. Payne (D-Nelson County) Y
- States News Service
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB