The House : Appropriations Bill

By a 201-200 vote, the House passed and sent to the Senate a $562-billion appropriations bill to finance the government in fiscal 1987, which began Oct. 1. The measure (HJ Res 738) provides a 3% pay hike for members of Congress and other federal employees, beginning in January. The salary of House members and senators will rise from $75,100 to $77,353.

This continuing resolution, which funds thousands of government functions at home and abroad, is the largest spending bill ever approved by Congress. It is necessary because Congress has failed to clear any of the 13 regular appropriations bills for federal departments and agencies in fiscal 1987.

“This is a good bill,” said supporter Vic Fazio (D-Sacramento). “More often than you think, we do things right.”

Opponent John Porter (R-Ill.) said, “We’ve had all year to get the job done and send 13 separate appropriations bills to the President for his approval or veto. Not one has been sent.”

Members voting yes supported the $562-billion catchall spending 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

Veto Override

By a 313-83 vote, the House overrode President Reagan’s veto of a bill slapping tough economic sanctions on South Africa to penalize it for its apartheid policies. The bill became law when the Senate also voted to negate the veto.

In part, it bans new American investment in South Africa, prohibits South African airliners from landing in the United States and outlaws imports of South African steel, iron, uranium, coal, textiles, fruits, vegetables and krugerrand gold coins.

Sanctions backer Thomas Manton (D-N.Y.) said, “America must be heard and heard loudly for what we . . . believe is an inalienable right for justice and equality.”

President Reagan said in his veto message, “Black workers, the first victims of apartheid, would become the first victims of American sanctions.”

Members voting yes wanted the South African sanctions bill to become law.

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) Rep. Torres (D) x

Immigration Reform

By a 180-202 vote, the House refused to debate a bill (HR 3810) to reform the nation’s immigration laws. This appeared to kill reform efforts for this year, underscoring once again the inability of Congress to slow the onrush of undocumented foreigners into the United States.

In part, the bill set penalties against growers who knowingly hire illegal aliens and granted permanent resident status to foreigners who did farm work in America for at least 60 days during the 12 months ending last May 31.

This vote rejected a rule that permitted more than four dozen amendments during floor debate but banned a “guest worker” amendment favored by western growers and opposed by organized labor.

Only 13 Republicans voted for the rule, prompting Democrats to blame the GOP for killing immigration reform. But Republicans said it was only fair for the Democratic majority to allow the amendment permitting 350,000 guest workers to stay temporarily in the United States to harvest crops.

Members voting yes wanted to debate the immigration reform 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