The House

Prisoner Release

By a 210-200 vote, the House sustained a District of Columbia law providing early release to certain district inmates serving time for non-violent crimes. The vote tabled a move to negate the new law, which codifies an early release policy the city recently began in response to court orders against prison overcrowding. Hundreds of inmates have had sentences cut by up to 90 days.

There is a dispute over whether prisoners convicted of violent crimes have been let out early.

Delegate Walter E. Fauntroy, a district Democrat, said, “We’re tough on crime” in the district, and he accused Congress of infringing on the city’s home rule.

Thomas J. Bliley Jr. (R-Va.) called the early release program “a serious threat to public safety” that has put violent criminals back on the street.

Members voting yes wanted the district to be able to enact the 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) x Rep. Torres (D) x

AIDS

The House adopted, 219 to 198, an amendment adding health care workers exposed to AIDS patients to the list of workers covered by the proposed High Risk Occupational Disease Notification and Prevention Act (see next vote).

Amendment sponsor William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) said: “We need to stop treating (AIDS) as a civil-rights issue and begin treating it as a public-health issue.”

Opponents argued that the AIDS provision would dominate the bill. William D. Ford (D-Mich.) said: “People dying with AIDS are a terrible tragedy, but they’re not the only health tragedy in this country.”

Members voting yes favored the amendment.

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

Risk of Disease

By a 225-186 vote, the House passed a bill creating a federal program to notify people of their risk of contracting occupational diseases. The bill (HR 162) was sent to the Senate. Although aimed at more than 100,000 workers exposed to carcinogens and other in dustrial hazards, the legislation was broadened on the floor to include hospital workers who deal with AIDS patients (see preceding vote).

The bill provides that workers identified as being at risk by a federal panel of medical experts be notified and given continual medical monitoring. It would cost taxpayers $25 million a year.

Members voting yes wanted to create a new federal disease notification program.

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