THE HOUSE

By a vote of 222 to 196, the House enabled recipients of Legal Services Corp. funding to lobby government when their views are solicited. The amendment was attached to an authorization bill (HR 2039) for the 18-year-old program that provides lawyers for the poor. It blocked an attempt to deny Legal Services aid to those who lobby Congress or state legislatures.

Supporter Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) said a ban on lobbying would put Legal Services recipients in “shackles.”

George W. Gekas (R-Pa.) said Legal Services offices should engage in lawyering, not lobbying.

A yes vote was to allow recipients of federal legal aid to lobby under certain conditions.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Dixon (D) x Rep. Levine (D) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Democratic Rescission Package

The House passed, 412 to 2, a Democratic bill (HR 4990) returning to the Treasury $5.8 billion appropriated by Congress for this fiscal year but not yet obligated. The vote came after the House rejected President Bush’s alternative “rescission” package (below).

A key difference is that HR 4990 eliminates only one of two planned Seawolf submarines, while the Administration opposes construction of both subs. Built at Groton, Conn., each Seawolf is projected to cost $1.8 billion. Overall, HR 4990 rescinds $4.95 billion in defense spending, $734 million for domestic programs and $124 million earmarked for foreign aid.

A yes vote was to pass the Democratic-drafted rescission bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Dixon (D) x Rep. Levine (D) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

President’s Rescission Plan

By a vote of 150 to 266, the House rejected a rescission plan sent to Capitol Hill by President Bush. Its savings were comparable to those in the competing Democratic-drafted bill (above). But in a clash of priorities, the White House wanted to kill the Seawolf submarine program that the Democratic bill kept alive at a cost of at least $1.8 billion. A yes vote was to support President Bush’s rescission plan.

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Dixon (D) x Rep. Levine (D) x Rep. Waxman (D) x