The House : Persian Gulf Policy

By a 283-126 vote, the House refused to outlaw President Reagan’s plan to put Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf under the American flag and U. S. naval protection. This killed an amendment to a fiscal 1988 Coast Guard budget bill (HR 2342) that was sent to the Senate. The House later approved a symbolic gesture (below) against the “reflagging,” which is set to begin in mid-July.

Supporter Brian J. Donnelly (D-Mass.) called the reflagging “a wrong-headed policy . . . not worth losing one single American young man or woman over.”

Amendment foe Tommy Robinson (R-Ark.) endorsed the policy, saying, “It is time to stand up for your country and quit playing politics.”

Members voting yes wanted to prevent the Kuwaiti reflagging operation.

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

Delay on Reflagging

The House adopted, 222 to 184, an amendment to the Coast Guard authorization bill (above) delaying until Sept. 30 the start of American reflagging of Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.

This was only symbolic because the legislation stood no chance of becoming law before July 16, the date by which President Reagan wants to begin the policy.

By contrast, the amendment to outlaw the plan had teeth because it prohibited the Coast Guard from issuing American flag certificates to the tankers during a 16-month period beginning June 1, 1987.

Supporter Les Aspin (D-Wis.) called the delay amendment “a shot across the bow” in protest of the President’s policy.

Opponent Larry J. Hopkins (R-Ky.) denounced it as “political opportunism and rhetoric.”

Members voting yes supported the delay amendment.

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

NASA Budget Cut

By a 257-148 vote, the House rejected an amendment to cut $155 million from a bill (HR 2782) authorizing nearly $9.5 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in fiscal 1988.

Supporters said the cut was necessary to bring NASA spending in line with limits set by the Congressional Budget Resolution, whereas opponents said it would impede the agency’s rebuilding of the space shuttle program.

Members voting yes favored the budget cut.

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