The House

‘Star Wars’

By a vote of 252 to 159, the House approved an amendment that would ban space-based testing of the Administration’s planned anti-missile umbrella, the Strategic Defense Initiative, during fiscal 1989. The amendment was offered as the House began weeks of debate on the nearly $300-billion defense authorization bill for fiscal 1989 (HR 4264). It prohibits “Star Wars” testing that violates a strict interpretation of the 1972 Soviet-U. S. Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Supporter John Spratt (D-S. C.) said the amendment only reinforces Administration pledges to adhere to a strict definition of the treaty during the fiscal year.

Opponent William Broomfield (R-Mich.) complained that the amendment makes no reference to “current violations of this same treaty by the Soviet Union.”

Members voting yes favored the fiscal 1989 ban on space-based testing.

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

Nuclear Test Ban

By a vote of 214 to 186, the House adopted an amendment to the 1989 defense bill (above) banning all but the smallest underground nuclear tests, provided that the Soviets also ban them. Testing would be allowed only of explosions of less than one kiloton (1,000 tons of TNT), and the American and Soviet tests would have to be conducted in designated areas to permit on-site verification.

Supporter Edward Markey (D-Mass.) said that to continue large-scale nuclear testing “is not very smart” because it sends the arms race spiraling upward.

Opponent John Kasich (R-Ohio) said “this amendment would undercut our negotiators” in Geneva now seeking a nuclear arms reduction pact with the Soviets.

Members voting yes supported the reciprocal U. S.-Soviet nuclear test ban.

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