The House : Contra Aid

By a vote of 200 to 215, the House rejected an amendment permitting the Administration to solicit so-called “third-party” aid to Contra troops fighting in Nicaragua. The vote left intact a proposed ban on such solicitations, which, according to testimony in the Iran-Contra hearings, were used to circumvent congressional bans on direct American aid to the Contras.

The prohibition is part of an $11.5-billion foreign aid authorization bill for fiscal 1988, a measure (HR 3100) later sent to conference with the Senate.

Members voting yes wanted to kill the proposed ban on third-party aid to anti-Sandinista forces in Nicaragua.

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

Aid to Guatemala

The House rejected, 166 to 241, an amendment to provide arms, ammunition and other so-called “lethal” military aid to Guatemala. The amendment to HR 3100 sought to overcome a long-standing ban on such aid that was imposed because of human rights violations by previous Guatemalan governments before Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo was elected to office.

Sponsor Robert Dornan (R-Calif.) said a stronger arsenal will help Guatemala fend off Marxist insurgents.

Opponent George Crockett (D-Mich.) said neither the Administration nor Cerezo has asked Congress to lift the ban.

Members voting yes wanted to provide lethal military aid to Guatemala.

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

Foreign Aid Substitute

By a vote of 173 to 234, the House rejected the Republicans’ substitute foreign aid bill, a measure slightly less costly than the Democratic majority’s $11.5-billion measure (HR 3100) that the House later approved.

The GOP alternative was more reflective of Administration policies in Central America, Southern Africa and other regions. One disputed provision authorized $10 million in 1988-89 for civilian opposition groups in Nicaragua. Another permitted “third-party” aid (see previous vote) to Contra forces in Nicaragua.

Members voting yes supported the Republicans’ foreign aid 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