THE HOUSE

Trade Bill

By a vote of 280 to 145, the House passed a trade bill featuring retaliatory steps to open sheltered overseas markets and protective measures to insulate certain domestic industries against foreign competition seen as unfair. Drafted by Democrats, the bill (HR 5100) deals mostly with Japan and other Pacific Rim nations and the European Community. It was sent to the Senate.

The bill requires more American parts in Japanese vehicles built here, pressures Japan to remove barriers to U. S. auto sales in Japan, and places quotas on imported Japanese cars. It extends quotas that shield U. S. machine toolmakers against Taiwanese products and seeks to break down obstacles to American rice exports to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. It takes a harder line against government subsidies that enable European aircraft to compete better against American planes.

Supporter Rep. Sander M. Levin (D-Mich.) said, “This bill is to open markets, not to close them.”

Opponent Robert H. Michel (R-Ill.), the minority leader, called the bill “largely a Japan-bashing effort orchestrated by the protectionists.”

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lewis (R) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x Rep. Thomas (R) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Japanese Auto Imports

By a vote of 260 to 166, the House passed a proposal to cap Japanese auto exports to America at 1.65 million cars annually and increase from 50% to 70% by 1994 the required American content of Japanese cars built here. The language was added to HR 5100 (above). It would essentially freeze the number of Japanese autos sold in America at the 1991 level.

Supporter Rep. Helen Delich Bentley (R-Md.) said, “The Japanese intent is clear. What is theirs is theirs and what is ours should be theirs also.”

Opponent Rep. Philip M. Crane (R-Ill.) said, “American families cannot afford to pay the bill for another Detroit-sponsored round of protectionism.”

A yes vote supported the amendment.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lewis (R) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x Rep. Thomas (R) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Spending Cut

By a vote of 236 to 175, the House rejected an amendment to trim $53 million from the $13-billion fiscal 1993 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation and related agencies. The savings were to have come from cutting administrative overhead other than personnel costs at agencies such as the Coast Guard, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Aviation Administration.

Sponsor Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) said his amendment “challenges managers to discover new ways to make programs more efficient and effective.”

Opponent Rep. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said the amendment would jeopardize airline safety.

A yes vote supported the amendment.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lewis (R) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x Rep. Thomas (R) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

To Break Budget Agreement

By a vote of 213 to 190, the House shifted $400 million in foreign-aid savings to transportation public works such as road building. By adopting this amendment to HR 5518 (above), the House for the first time violated the “firewalls” provision of the 1990 budget agreement between President Bush and Congress.

Under the pact, savings in the categories of defense, domestic or foreign-affairs spending were obligated to deficit reduction and could not be spent elsewhere.

In accepting the 1990 agreement, Bush broke his “no-new-taxes” campaign pledge.

Sponsor Rep. David R. Obey (D-Wis.) said Congress “has an obligation to get off its collective duff and not be, as Franklin Roosevelt used to say, ‘frozen in the ice of its own indifference.’ ”

Opponent Rep. Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.) said Democrats who criticize Bush for breaking his promise on taxes now have reneged on the budget pact. “There is no word of honor that is too sacred to break,” he said.

A yes vote was to break the 1990 budget pact in order to shift foreign-aid savings to public works spending.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lewis (R) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x Rep. Thomas (R) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate