Import Limits

A bill limiting imports of textiles, clothing and shoes was passed by the House and sent to the White House on 255 yes votes and 164 no votes. The bill’s strictest provisions cut textile and apparel imports from Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong by as much as 30%. It limits shoe imports to 60% of the U.S. market, and it directs the Administration to seek to reduce copper imports.

Threatening to veto the bill, President Reagan said he opposes “any protectionist legislation that diminishes competition abroad or here in the United States.”

Supporter Marilyn Lloyd (D-Tenn.) said: “I am very proud this is called protectionist legislation, because . . . we must stand tall in this body and protect our national economy.”

Opponent Ed Zschau (R-Los Altos) said: “This bill will cost us jobs, not save jobs. It will increase the cost of apparel (and) make the United States an outlaw in international trade.”

Members voting yes supported the 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

Higher Education

A bill (HR 3700) extending the Higher Education Act through 1991 and authorizing $10.6 billion to implement the law in fiscal 1987 was passed by the House and sent to the Senate on a vote of 350 for and 67 against.

The majority of the money is earmarked for student aid. To prevent well-off students from receiving federally subsidized education loans, the bill requires a means test of all applicants for a Guaranteed Student Loan. Presently only students from families with annual incomes over $30,000 must demonstrate need.

The other major form of federal help to college students, Pell Grants for the poor, is liberalized by a provision in the bill raising the maximum annual grant from its present $2,100 level to $3,100 by 1991.

Members voting yes favored the 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

Amendment Fails

An amendment to cut about $750 million from the Higher Education Act’s 1987 price tag of $10.6 billion was rejected by the House on a vote of 127 for and 289 against. The cut was aimed not at loans and grants to students, but at institutional outlays such as aid to campus libraries and black colleges. Defeat of the amendment left about $1 billion for institutions intact in the bill.

Sponsor Steve Bartlett (R-Tex.) called the education bill “the largest budget-buster that this House has seen so far this year.”

Opponent Augustus Hawkins (D-) termed the amendment “an attack on American education” that the House should repel.

Members voting yes favored the cut in aid to higher education.

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