ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 9, 1997 TAG: 9703100068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
Senate
Budget
The Senate on Tuesday rejected a proposed balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. The 66-34 roll call was one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments. Supporters of the Republican-backed amendment said the past 28 years have shown that Congress and the White House lack the political will to balance the budget on their own. Opponents said the amendment would cripple the United States during times of military or economic crisis, and that a budget deal could be negotiated without amending the Constitution. A ``yes'' vote favors the balanced-budget amendment.
Charles Robb, Democrat - Y
John Warner, Republican - Y
Waiver of lobbying law
The Senate on Wednesday voted, 98-2, to waive provisions of a lobbying law that has held up the nomination of Charlene Barshefsky as U.S. trade representative. The law, which bans the appointment of a trade representative who has lobbied for a foreign government, would have barred Barshefsky because of her past work for the Canadian government. Supporters said Barshefsky has proven herself to be a formidable, tough negotiator. Those who opposed lifting the law said Barshefsky had not done enough to protect U.S. businesses from foreign ownership in a recent international trade pact. After the vote, the Senate approved her nomination with only one senator, Wayne Allard, R-Colo., dissenting. The House also must waive the lobbying law before Barshefsky can be sworn in. A ``yes'' vote favors waiving the lobbying law.
RobbY -
Warner - Y
House
Ten Commandments
The House on Wednesday approved, 295-125, a nonbinding resolution supporting an Alabama judge who refused a court order to remove the Ten Commandments from the wall of his courtroom. Supporters said the Ten Commandments represented the basis of the U.S. legal system. Opponents said it represented an inappropriate and unconstitutional mix of church and state. A ``yes'' vote supports the judge's decision to display the Ten Commandments.
Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon) - Y
Virgil Goode (D-Rocky Mount) - Y
Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke) - Y
- States News Service
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB