THE HOUSE : Earthquake Bill

By a vote of 283 to 132, the House passed a bill (HR 3533) authorizing $545 million between fiscal 1991-1994 for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The multi-agency effortseeks to advance earthquake prediction and preventive measures to hold down death and destruction when temblors strike. The bill was controversial because of its cost. For example, the fiscal 1991 funding level of $105 million is 63% above the 1990 appropriation.

Supporter Robert A. Roe (D-N.J.) said that even at a time of fiscal restraint, “we cannot afford to ignore the lessons that the Loma Prieta earthquake presented” in Northern California last October.

Opponent Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.) asked: “How can we pass such an incredible budget buster when we face the Gramm-Rudman sequester right at the end of this week?”

A yes vote was to pass the bill. How They Voted: Rep. Beilenson (D): Yea Rep. Berman (D): Yea Rep. Dixon (D): Yea Rep. Levine (D): Yea Rep. Waxman (D): Yea

Tree-Planting Funds By a vote of 150 to 269, the House refused to kill an authorization of $30 million for one year, and $180 million over four years, for a new program of tree planting throughout the country. This kept the money in a Small Business Administration funding bill (HR 4793). State and local governments would receive grants for planting programs that could involve the private sector. The initiative would be separate from Department of Agriculture reforestation efforts.

Andy Ireland (R-Fla.) criticized the new program as “a very good example of what is causing our present dilemma” in fiscal matters.

Program sponsor Neal Smith (D-Iowa) said it would help both the environment and small businesses.

A yes vote opposed creation of a Small Business Administration tree program. How They Voted: Rep. Beilenson (D): Nay Rep. Berman (D): Nay Rep. Dixon (D): Nay Rep. Levine (D): Nay Rep. Waxman (D): Nay

Campaign Finance By a vote of 194 to 225, members rejected GOP proposals to instruct the House side of a conference committee working on campaign finance reform bills passed by the House and Senate.The GOP instructions were that House members be required to periodically tell the public about the mass-mailings they send home, just as senators must disclose costs and other information on the postal-patron mail they generate at taxpayer expense.

Critics say most incumbents use the franking privilege as a campaign tool, while lawmakers defend mass mailings as official communcation.

This vote also rejected GOP instructions that House conferees accept certain Senate-approved PAC reforms, including a ban on receipts from PACs whose administrative costs are picked up by their parent organizations. Republicans say union-backed Democratic candidates benefit most from these “connected” PACs.

A yes vote was for certain PAC reforms and requiring House members to begin telling the public about their individual use of franked mail. How They Voted: Rep. Beilenson (D): Nay Rep. Berman (D): Nay Rep. Dixon (D): Nay Rep. Levine (D): Nay Rep. Waxman (D): Nay