HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES : Sunset Provision for Commerce Funding

The House refused to put a six-year limit on public funding of proposed Department of Commerce centers to help U.S. companies develop advanced technologies. The sunset amendment was offered to a bill (HR 820) authorizing $1.5 billion over two years for programs enabling American firms to better compete against Japanese, German and other rivals. The bill remained in debate.

Supporter Robert S. Walker (R-Pa.) said “the ugly truth . . . of this bill is that we are going to perpetuate the idea that a federal program once created is never-ending.”

Opponent Tim Valentine (D-N.C.) said “the last thing we need is for this program to have to experience the planned uncertainty of sunset provisions.”

The vote was 201 for and 221 against. A yes vote was to limit the years of taxpayer support of competitiveness centers for U.S. industry.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cox (R) x Rep. Dornan (R) x Rep. Kim (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x Rep. Rohrabacher (R) x Rep. Royce (R) x

Expansion of Voter Registration Sites

The House approved the conference report on a bill (HR 2) requiring states to make voter registration a voluntary part of applying for a driver’s license and certain other public certificates. To accommodate non-drivers, states also must provide for registration by mail and at welfare and disability agencies. Military recruitment offices also must offer a place to sign up to vote.

Supporter Charlie Rose (D-N.C.) said the bill “could result in up to 90% of the eligible public registering to vote.”

Opponent Tillie Fowler (R-Fla.) objected that it “places mandates on our states with no federal dollars to pay for them.”

The vote was 259 for and 164 against. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cox (R) x Rep. Dornan (R) x Rep. Kim (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x Rep. Rohrabacher (R) x Rep. Royce (R) x

Proof of Citizenship in Registration Issue

The House rejected Republican language in HR 2 (above) that sought to remove any doubt that states can require proof of citizenship from voting registrants.

Sponsor Bob Livingston (R-La.) called the bill “an inducement to illegal aliens” to commit electoral fraud.

Opponent Al Swift (D-Wash.) said the bill already provided tough criminal penalties for illegal aliens who would defraud the registration process.

The roll call was 170 for and 253 against. A yes vote was to specify in the bill that states can request proof of citizenship from registrants to vote.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Cox (R) x Rep. Dornan (R) x Rep. Kim (R) x Rep. Packard (R) x Rep. Rohrabacher (R) x Rep. Royce (R) x

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate