THE HOUSE

Clean Air Act

By a vote of 401 to 21, the House sent to a conference with the Senate a bill (HR 3030) giving the Clean Air Act its first upgrade since 1977. In part, the measure drastically cuts emissions from Midwest and Appalachian power plants that cause acid rain, imposes tailpipe controls on motor vehicles and introduces cleaner gasoline to cities with the dirtiest air.

It curbs the discharge of a wide range of toxic chemicals from factories such as petrochemical plants and harmful emissions from small businesses such as dry cleaners. Estimates are that the bill will cost the private sector up to $20 billion over the next several years.

Supporter Norman F. Lent (R-N.Y.) said the bill “will significantly improve the air we breathe without placing the American economy in jeopardy.”

Opponent William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) said, “This should be renamed the Third World Redevelopment Act of 1990” because it exports many jobs.

A yes vote supported the bill.

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

New Relief Program

By a vote of 274 to 146, the House adopted an amendment establishing special relief for workers who lose their jobs or have their hours reduced by at least 20% as a result of the new Clean Air Act. The maximum benefit would be an additional six months of unemployment payments and two years of retraining assistance, at a cost to the Treasury of up to $250 million over five years.

Supporter Harley O. Staggers Jr. (D-W.Va.) said, “This is a vote for the little guys” such as coal miners who lose work because of the Clean Air Act.

Opponent Jack Fields (R-Tex.) called the program “an open-ended liability for the federal government.”

A yes vote supported special aid to workers hurt by new clean-air legislation.

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

Longer Warranties

The House adopted, 239 to 180, an amendment toughening warranties on the catalytic converters and electronic control units needed to meet tailpipe emission standards set by the new clean-air legislation. Auto makers would have to provide eight-year, 80,000-mile protection on the equipment, compared to the five years and 50,000 miles required by current law.

Sponsor Gerry Sikorski (D-Minn.) said, “It is not every day in this chamber you get to vote for small business and environmental groups and consumers.”

Opponent Michael G. Oxley (R-Ohio) said, “The National Federation of Independent Business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce both are on record as opposed to this amendment.”

A yes vote was to require longer warranties on devices to curb auto pollution.

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