THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503230584
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
A broad welfare overhaul was almost blocked in the House Wednesday largely because some conservative Republicans worry that the GOP bill would unintentionally lead poor women to have more abortions.
The welfare legislation was opened to floor votes after a procedural rule narrowly passed, 217 to 211, despite the defection of 15 Republicans on what is usually a party-line vote. Six Democrats did not vote, and three others sided with the Republican majority.
In often-emotional terms, the GOP dissidents, who included leading anti-abortion lawmakers like Judiciary Chairman Henry J. Hyde, R-Ill., and Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., said they were concerned that pregnant unmarried teenagers and older welfare mothers would have abortions rather than face proposed cuts in benefits.
``I'm embarrassed today to stand here and admit that our party that (believes in) family values doesn't value keeping a family together,'' Rep. Jim Bunn, R-Ore., said in announcing his decision to vote no. The leadership had rejected an amendment from Bunn that would permit an adult guardian or group home to receive cash assistance for an unwed mother under age 18.
When anti-abortion groups first raised the issue, Republicans added financial incentives for states to reduce out-of-wedlock births. But critics have questioned whether the bill's formula would have that effect in a welfare system known for unintended consequences.
``I am deeply concerned that in the otherwise laudable drive to reduce illegitimacy and dependency, we are poised to enact legislation that is likely to increase the number of abortions performed,'' said Smith, co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus.
The National Right to Life Committee and U.S. Catholic Conference lobbied furiously for defeat of the rule, citing concerns about increased abortions.
Not all anti-abortion activists agreed. ``We believe this will reduce abortions, or we will not do it,'' said Louis Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition of 3,100 churches nationwide.
Three partial concessions were likely to be made to critics. The House was likely to adopt a Hyde amendment to specifically bar funding for abortion, but not family planning, under the bill. Two other GOP amendments likely to pass would allow states to provide vouchers for diapers and services to unmarried teenage mothers and older women who have more children while on welfare.
No vote was allowed on a Democratic amendment to delete the financial incentives for states to reduce their ``illegitimacy ratio'' of births. Rep. Fortney ``Pete'' Stark, D-Calif., has dismissed the incentives as a ``bounty on abortions.'' ILLUSTRATION: HOW THEY VOTED
A ``yes'' vote is a vote to approve rules restricting the debate
and the amendments that could be offered.
Herbert Bateman, R-Va. Yes
Owen B. Pickett, D-Va. No
Robert C. Scott, D-Va. No
Norman Sisisky, D-Va. No
Eva Clayton, D-N.C. No
Walter Jones Jr., R-N.C. Yes
by CNB