THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 4, 1995 TAG: 9512040068
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
The Gingrich probe: Voting 218 for and 170 against, the House tabled and thus defeated a Democratic bid (H Res 288) to bring a status report on ethics matters involving Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., to the House floor by Dec. 12. This occurred as Democrats called upon the Ethics Committee to publicly report by that date on their probe into complaints that Democrats have filed with the committee against Gingrich. The five complaints accuse Gingrich of violating House and tax laws in his dealings with GOPAC, a political action committee he once headed, and in connection with the publication of a book he wrote.
A yes vote was to defeat the Democratic move against Gingrich.
Bateman Yes Pickett No
Scott No Sisisky No
Clayton No Jones Yes
Lobbying: Voting 421 for and zero against, the House sent the White House a bill (HR 2564) to increase public scrutiny of those who lobby Congress and the executive branch on a professional basis. The bill applies to individuals receiving at least $5,000 over six months from a single client and firms spending at least $20,000 over six months to influence federal policies. They must make detailed filings of their finances and activities with congressional watchdog offices, which will release the information to the public. Violators face fines of up to $50,000 per infraction. The bill bans the U.S. Trade Representative and his or her deputy from ever representing a foreign entity after leaving the federal payroll.
A yes vote was to increase scrutiny.
Bateman Yes Pickett Yes
Scott Yes Sisisky Yes
Clayton Yes Jones Yes
Agency lobbying: The House rejected, 190 for and 238 against, an amendment to HR 2564 (above) to prohibit federal agencies and departments from using their appropriations for certain lobbying activities including working with outside groups to influence Congress. A long-standing criminal law in this area apparently has never been enforced. This amendment sought to make make certain forms of lobbying by the executive branch also a civil offense so that authorities would be more willing to police it.
A yes vote supported the amendment.
Bateman No Pickett No
Scott No Sisisky No
Clayton No Jones Yes
Veterans health care: Voting 216 for and 208 against, the House sent back to committee, and thus defeated, the conference report on a bill (HR 2099) appropriating $80.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other units in fiscal 1996. This is one of several 1996 spending bills that Congress has been unable to enact in the impasse over competing Democratic and Republican budget priorities. With this vote, the House instructed the conference committee to provide an additional $213 million for veterans' medical care. Overall, the bill provides $37.7 billion for veterans. But Democrats also criticized the bill as punitive toward environmental protection and housing programs.
John Dingell, D-Mich., said: ``It cuts $400 million from the administration's request for veterans' healthcare.''
Barbara Vucanovich, R-Nev., said the bill already treated veterans well.
A yes vote was to reject the HUD, veterans, EPA appropriations bill.
Bateman No Pickett Yes
Scott Yes Sisisky Yes
Clayton Yes Jones Yes
Amtrak: The House rejected, 164 for and 239 against, an amendment concerning the noneconomic damages that railroad accident victims can receive in negligence suits involving Amtrak or any other rail or subway system. The vote preserved a cap included in a pending bill (HR 1788) that tightens Amtrak operations and further privatizes the quasi-federal rail passenger service. As later sent to the Senate on a near-unanimous vote, the bill limited noneconomic damages, such as those for pain and suffering, to $250,000 above economic damages.
A yes opposed capping noneconomic damages in rail passenger suits.
Bateman No Pickett No
Scott Yes Sisisky No
Clayton Yes Jones No Senate
Rail mergers: By a vote of 62 for and 35 against, the Senate tabled (killed) an amendment to give the Justice Department final say over proposed rail mergers. This occurred during debate on a bill (HR 2539), still in debate, to close the Interstate Commerce Commission and transfer some functions to the Department of Transportation. Sponsors amendment said Justice, with its anti-trust role, would be less agreeable to mergers than Transportation. But those voting to kill the amendment feared Justice would too vigorously fight rail combines that serve regional interests in a unique segment of the industry.
A yes vote opposed giving the Justice Department final say over rail mergers.
Robb Yes Warner Didn't vote
Helms Yes Faircloth Yes ILLUSTRATION: Photos
by CNB