The House : Highway Bill Veto

By a tally of 350-73, the House achieved the two-thirds majority it needed to override President Reagan’s veto of a bill (HR 2) authorizing nearly $88 billion over five years for mass transit, highway construction and other programs.

The Senate also voted to nullify the veto, and the bill became law.

Reagan had denounced the bill as pork barrel and a budget-buster. But it had overwhelming support, in part because it allows 65-m.p.h. driving on rural interstates and funds many politically popular road projects.

Members voting yes wanted to override the veto.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Bates (D) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x

Golden Age Passport

By a 43-375 vote, the House rejected an amendment to begin a $10 one-time charge for the Golden Age passport that gives senior citizens access to certain national parks. This means the passports will continue to be free of charge to persons over 62. About 190,000 were issued last year.

The vote occurred as the House sent to the Senate a bill (HR 1320) funding National Park Service operations with Land and Water Conservation Fund revenues.

Sponsor James V. Hansen (R-Utah) said the Golden Age passport is used by “people who do control a lot of money.”

Opponent Bruce F. Vento (D-Minn.) said the passport users “can barely afford basic transportation, let alone a $30,000 or $40,000 Winnebago.”

Members voting yes wanted seniors to begin paying a small fee for the Golden Age passport.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Bates (D) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x

Common Market

By a 269-147 vote, the House adopted a resolution (H Res 121) commending the European Community on the 30th anniversary of its creation March 25, 1957 under the Treaty of Rome.

Supporter Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) said the Common Market deserves praise even though relations between it and the United States are “not a love boat.”

Opponent Fred Grandy (R-Iowa) said it was wrong to commend an organization “whose success has come at the expense of the American farmer.”

Members voting yes wanted to commend the European Community.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Bates (D) x Rep. Hunter (R) x Rep. Lowery (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x