HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES : President’s National Service Program

The House passed a bill (HR 2010) launching President Clinton’s national service program at a first-year cost of nearly $400 million. An estimated 25,000 participants 17 and older would perform up to 1,700 hours of community work each year. In return, they would receive up to $4,775 annually in vouchers for higher education or job training. They also would get approximately minimum-wage pay, health and child-care benefits and in some cases paid medical and family leave. A new federal agency would run the program, which would be like a domestic Peace Corps that Clinton promised during his campaign to help reinvigorate the country.

Supporter Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said the bill gives young people “the opportunity to receive a higher education in return for hard work in service to their nation and community.”

Opponent David Dreier (R-San Dimas) said: “The American people do not want new and expensive Clinton government make-work programs because they do not want new taxes to pay for them.”

The vote was 275 for and 152 against. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

Illegal Aliens in National Service

The House rejected an amendment to HR 2010 (above) that would have required national service organizations to certify they are not dealing with illegal immigrants and, in some cases, to report undocumented immigrants to authorities.

Supporter Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said: “I find it very unfortunate every time we try to tighten down on. . .illegal immigration, somebody says there is a racial overtone to it.”

Opponent Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.) said: “If most immigrants in this country were light-skinned, blue-eyed and blonde-haired, this would not be an issue. . . .”

The vote was 180 for and 253 against. A yes vote was to combat illegal immigration through the national service bill. How They Voted Rep. Beilenson (D): Nay Rep. Dixon (D): Nay Rep. Harman (D): Nay Rep. Waxman (D): Nay

Flood Relief for the Midwest

The House passed and sent to the Senate a bill (HR 2667) providing $3 billion in disaster relief, mostly for the flooded Midwest. The bill drew opposition mainly because its expense was not covered by an equal amount of spending cuts. Some foes also disliked that it funds a new inner-city program, Youth Fair Chance, that has not been authorized by any House committee.

Youth Fair Chance, sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), was seen as principally benefiting Los Angeles. It was adopted in the wake of the Los Angles riots, and authorizes payment of a $100-a-week stipend to young people ages 17 to 30 in poor areas as part of an employment training program.

In part, the disaster relief bill provides $1.15 billion for farmers hit by floods in the Midwest and drought in the South, $815 million for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid to waterlogged areas and $250 million to rebuild highways, levees and other public works.

Supporter Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) said: “I believe in paying our bills. We have an opportunity to do that at a later date. But the issue is whether we respond today to the legitimate needs of the people who are suffering in the Midwest.”

Opponent John T. Myers (R-Ind.), saying he had just lost his farm to the Wabash River, opposed the bill because the $3 billion was added to the national debt rather than offset by spending cuts.

The vote was 400 for and 27 against. A yes vote was to pass the bill. How They Voted Rep. Beilenson (D): Yea Rep. Dixon (D): Yea Rep. Harman (D): Yea Rep. Waxman (D): Yea Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate