HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Budget Resolution Approved

The House approved a fiscal 1994 budget blueprint projecting about $1.5 trillion in spending. It is more than the year’s projected revenue of $1.24 trillion, leaving a deficit of $253.5 billion. The budget resolution begins President Clinton’s economic recovery plan, providing tax increases, spending restraint and entitlement curbs in hopes of slowing the growth of national indebtedness by $510 billion over five years.

Clinton pledges to lower the $350 billion annual deficit he inherited from the Bush Administration and Congress by about $143 billion. The budget resolution projects a deficit of $184 billion in the fourth year of his presidency.

Clinton-requested revenue hikes of $249 billion approved by this vote consist mainly of a new tax based on energy consumption, increased taxation of Social Security benefits, and a bigger tax bite out of corporations and individuals with taxable incomes of more than $115,000.

The vote was 243 for and 183 against. A yes vote was to approve the budget resolution embodying the Clinton economic plan.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Republican Budget Alternative

The House rejected the leading Republican budget alternative, which would have avoided tax increases and used more aggressive spending restraint to achieve $495 billion in deficit reduction over five years. The GOP plan was more specific and politically bold than the Democratic plan (above) in its cuts. It also differed by front-loading instead of mainly deferring cuts until later years as does the Democratic plan.

Supporter Bob Franks (R-N.J.) said the GOP budget would “reduce the oppressive tax burden on the people of America as well as begin to roll back some of the unnecessary spending that has taken place in this city over the years.”

Opponent Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) said “this is truly a budget with no vision whatsoever. (It) represents the same tired priorities of the last 12 years--neglect, supply-side voodoo economics and trickle-down mythology.”

The vote was 135 for and 295 against. A yes vote supported the Republican budget.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Black Caucus Budget Proposal

The House rejected, 87 to 335, a fiscal 1994 budget proposal sponsored by the 39 African-American members of Congress who comprise the Congressional Black Caucus. It recommended cutting 1994 defense spending by $11.5 billion more than President Clinton’s plan (above) and diverting most of that saving to social programs. It also went beyond the Clinton plan in taxing corporations and the wealthy.

Supporter Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) said the plan was “about investing and then receiving dividends on that investment. So we have a choice to pay now or in fact we can pay later.”

Opponent Randy Cunningham (R-San Diego) said the Black Caucus’ deep defense cuts would work to the disadvantage of minorities in uniform.

A yes vote was to adopt the Black Caucus budget.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Short-Term Economic Stimulus for Jobs

The House passed President Clinton’s short-term economic stimulus, which provides $16.3 billion in new appropriations along with a $3 billion release from the Highway Trust Fund and$3.3 billion in new credit for small businesses.

Defined as emergency spending, the outlays will be added to this year’s deficit. The legislation is designed to create up to 1 million new jobs over the next two years, mostly construction jobs and summer employment for poor youths. It will also prime the economy with $4 billion in extended unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless.

Supporter Romano L. Mazzoli (D-Ky.) said the stimulus bill was inseparable from the remainder of Clinton’s economic recovery program.

Opponent Gerald B.H. Solomon (R-N.Y.) termed the “emergency” designation a “euphemism for spending more of money that we do not have budgeted.”

The vote was 235 for and 190 against. A yes vote was to pass the short-term stimulus bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Pay-as-You-Go Emergency Spending

The House rejected a Republican bid to put most of the emergency spending in President Clinton’s economic stimulus package (above) on a pay-as-you-go basis, in keeping with the 1990 Budget Enforcement Act. Republicans sought revenue to offset new appropriations in the bill except the $4 billion for extended unemployment benefits.

Sponsor Joseph M. McDade (R-Pa.) said “if these programs are so important, I say let us find the offsets . . . to pay for them.”

Opponent Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said “there is an emergency” for Americans without jobs, health care and opportunities for their children.

The vote was 181 for and 244 against. A yes vote was to soften the impact of the short-term economic stimulus on the deficit.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Consumer Safety Improvements

The House passed a bill to achieve better built bicycle helmets, warning labels on toys of possible choking hazards and a minimumdiameter of 1.75 inches for balls made for small children. The bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to draft regulations to bring about the safety improvements.

Sponsor Cardiss Collins (D-Ill.) said the mandate from Capitol Hill is needed because the Consumer Product Safety Commission “is not living up to its mission to protect American consumers from hazardous products.”

No opponent spoke against the bill. The vote was 362 for and 38 against. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Where to Reach Them

Xavier Becerra, 30th District

2435 Colorado Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles 90041 (213) 550-8962

Carlos J. Moorhead, 27th District

420 N. Brand Blvd., Room 304, Glendale 91203 (818) 247-8445

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate