The House : Older Americans

The House rejected, by a vote of 95 to 297, an amendment to cut proposed spending levels in a variety of programs for the elderly. The amendment was offered to the Older Americans Act Amendments (HR 1451), a bill later sent to the Senate, which mainly authorizes state- and locally run programs to feed, teach, train, care for and otherwise assist senior citizens.

It sought to lower the bill’s fiscal 1988 price tag from $1.33 billion to $1.22 billion, with the largest cut, of $69.6 million, aimed at federal grants to state and local agencies that help the elderly.

Members voting yes supported the cut.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Anderson (D) x Rep. Dornan (R) x Rep. Dreier (R) x Rep. Dymally (D) x Rep. Hawkins (D) x Rep. Martinez (D) x Rep. Torres (D) x

Home Care for the Aged

The House adopted, 274-115, an amendment to HR 1451 (above) to spend a total of $2 million in fiscal 1988 and 1989 on demonstration projects in at least six states to find better ways of safeguarding the rights of the aged receiving medical care at home.

Sponsor Edward R. Roybal (D-Los Angeles) called it a “consumer protection” amendment.

Opponent Tom Tauke (R-Iowa) said the world has many problems, “but we cannot have every one of them solved as part of this legislation.”

Members voting yes wanted to fund the demonstration projects.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Anderson (D) x Rep. Dornan (R) x Rep. Dreier (R) x Rep. Dymally (D) x Rep. Hawkins (D) x Rep. Martinez (D) x Rep. Torres (D) x

Wild and Scenic Rivers

By a 344-39 vote, the House passed and sent to the Senate a bill (HR 900) to add segments of the Gauley, Meadow, Bluestone and Greenbrier rivers in southern West Virginia to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, for protection against development.

Supporter Bruce Vento (D-Minn.) said the rivers “are among the finest scenic and recreational streams in the eastern United States.”

Opponents did not speak.

Members voting yes favored the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Anderson (D) x Rep. Dornan (R) x Rep. Dreier (R) x Rep. Dymally (D) x Rep. Hawkins (D) x Rep. Martinez (D) x Rep. Torres (D) x