THE HOUSE

To Pass Spending Bill

By a vote of 362 to 59, the House sent to the Senate a bill (HR 4404) providing $2.4 billion in extra federal spending this fiscal year. About $1.8 billion would be taken from the defense budget and the rest is to be newly appropriated.

The bill’s major foreign outlays are $420 million to Panama, $400 million to Israel and $300 million to Nicaragua. At home, it provides additional funds this year for veterans benefits, food stamps, federal judges’ pay, disaster aid, federal firefighting and other programs.

Supporter Silvio O. Conte (R-Mass.) said: “Now comes the time to follow through” on helping Panama and Nicaragua.

Opponent Toby Roth (R-Wis.) said: “The American people are not in favor of the legislation being debated here today.”

Members voting yes supported the extra fiscal 1990 spending.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lagomarsino (R) x

Foreign Aid

By a vote of 72 to 346, the House rejected an amendment to HR 4404 (above) shaving about $33 million from the bill’s aid to Panama, Nicaragua and Israel. Sponsor James A. Traficant Jr.(D-Ohio) said: “I’m tired of foreign aid” at the expense of domestic needs.

Opponent Mickey Edwards (R-Okla.) said the amendment would not lower spending but leave the money in the defense budget.

Members voting yes supported the amendment.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lagomarsino (R) x

Counting Hate Crimes

By a vote of 402 to 18, the House sent to President Bush a bill (HR 1048) requiring police agencies, including the FBI, to keep statistics on crimes motivated by prejudice against race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Supporter Barbara B. Kennelly (D-Conn.) said hate crimes “diminish the whole community in which they exist.”

Opponent William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) said it was wrong for the bill to “equate homosexuality . . . with the heterosexual lifestyle.”

Members voting yes supported the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lagomarsino (R) x