THE HOUSE : House Post Office

By a vote of 254 to 160, the House approved a Democratic request that the Administration Committee probe charges of misconduct at the House post office. The U.S. attorney is conducting a separate criminal investigation of the facility. Charges leveled against thepost office include illegal drug sales, embezzlement and check kiting.

The measure (HR 240) was supported by Democrats, who control the Administration Committee and have responsibility for the House post office.

It was opposed by Republicans, who favored an inquiry by an independent counsel and a select House committee not dominated by Democrats.

A yes vote supported the Democratic plan for investigating trouble at the House post office.

How They Voted

Rep. Gallegly (R): Nay

Rep. Lagomarsino (R): Yea

October Surprise

The House voted 217-192 to probe charges that Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign managed to delay Iran’s release of U.S. hostages until after his election over incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980. The so-called October Surprise allegation also holds that Iran received arms in return for its assistance.

A yes vote supported the investigation.

How They Voted

Rep. Gallegly (R): Nay

Rep. Lagomarsino (R): Nay

Bid for Leniency

On a vote of 249 to 160, the House blocked a proposed investigation of a request by an influential committee aide. The aide had asked a federal judge to go easy on a man convicted of illegal arms sales.

The vote killed HR 342, which sought to investigate an official request that Spencer Oliver, counsel of the Foreign Affairs Committee, placed last month with U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein. Oliver asked, and the judge granted, sentencing leniency for Dirk Stoffberg, who had helped committee Democrats conduct their October Surprise inquiry (see preceding vote).

A yes vote was to kill the requested investigation.

How They Voted

Rep. Gallegly (R): Nay

Rep. Lagomarsino (R): Nay

Jobless Benefits

By a vote of 404 to 8, the House sent to the Senate a bill (HR 4095) that provides 13 extra weeks of unemployment checks for many jobless people. Supporters said the bill’s $2.7 billion cost would be offset by tapping surplus accounts and with bookkeeping efficiencies, including more prompt tax collections.

Recipients will be up to 2 million jobless in all states who use up their initial 26 weeks of benefits by July 4 and who have also exhausted the extended benefits approved by Congress in late 1991.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted

Rep. Gallegly (R): Yea

Rep. Lagomarsino (R): Yea

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate