HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES : Changes in Motor-Voter Bill Refused

The House refused to accept Senate changes in a bill (HR 2) that aims to increase voter turnout by enabling people to register when applying for a driver’s license and other public certificates. In part, the decision reaffirmed a House requirement that states allow voter registration at social agencies such as welfare offices. Supporter Al Swift (D-Wash.) said registration at social agencies helps “the very poor, the very old and the physically handicapped.”

Opponent Bob Livingston (R-La.) called the bill inviting to those who would “willy-nilly steal elections throughout America.”

The vote was 192 for and 222 against. A yes vote was to strip a requirement for voter registration at social agencies from the “motor-voter” bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Harman (D) x Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Tucker (D) x Rep. Waters (D) x

Genetic Code Analysis Funding

The House sent the Senate a bill (HR 829) authorizing nearly $15 million annually to improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to use DNA analysis of blood and hair samples in crime-fighting. The FBI would get $4.5 million for activities such as developing a national data bank of convicted criminals’ genetic codes. States would get $10 million collectively in grants to establish DNA analysis labs that would be overseen by the FBI and held to federal privacy and proficiency standards.

Supporter Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.) said the bill “will guarantee that DNA analysis will be an accurate and reliable tool for courtroom use.”

No opponent spoke against the measure.

The vote was 374 for and four against. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Harman (D) x Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Tucker (D) x Rep. Waters (D) x

FBI Telephone Access

The House sent the Senate a bill (HR 175) expanding the FBI’s power to obtain, without court warrants, telephone records and conversations in probes of international terrorism and espionage.

The bill grants the FBI access in such investigations to information on unlisted numbers that phone companies cannot presently divulge. It also enables FBI counterintelligence agents to obtain a broader range of telephone conversations involving suspected terrorists and spies.

Supporter Ronald D. Coleman (D-Tex.) said the bill strikes “a delicate balance between (giving) the FBI the means to fight terrorism and espionage and our responsibility to protect individuals from unreasonable intrusion by the government.”

No opponent spoke against the bill.

The vote was 367 for and six against. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Harman (D) x Rep. Horn (R) x Rep. Tucker (D) x Rep. Waters (D) x

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate