HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 5, 1993 12 AM PT

Defense Budget

The House gave its final approval of the Clinton Administration’s first military budget, a $261-billion measure for fiscal 1994 that is down about 4% from the comparable 1993 bill. Setting post-Cold War priorities, the bill (HR 2401) reduces active-duty strength to 1.62 million troops toward a goal of 1.4 million by 1999. The bill cuts missile defense spending sharply, to $3 billion, while shifting the emphasis from space-based Star Wars defenses to ground-based interceptor systems that are portable from theater to theater. It caps the B-2 bomber program at 20 aircraft, grants a 2.2% military pay raise effective in January, 1994, and gives the force of law to Pentagon policies against openly gay conduct by service personnel.

Supporter G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery (D-Miss.) said the bill “meets the minimum needs of the military while recognizing the realities of the changing world and the realities of the federal budget.”

Opponent Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said the lowered defense budget “leaves this nation with a defense plan that seriously undermines our ability to maintain a robust and effective fighting force.”

The vote was 273 for and 135 against. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted

Rep. Cox (R): Nay

Rep. Dornan (R): Nay

Rep. Kim (R): Nay

Rep. Packard (R): Nay

Rep. Rohrabacher (R): Nay

Rep. Royce (R): Yea

Abortion Clinic Access

The House adopted an amendment limiting the scope of a bill (HR 796) to combat violence at abortion clinics. The underlying bill, later passed on a non-record vote, makes it a federal crime to block access to clinics or harm their patients or staff. The amendment exempts parents and legal guardians who are using normal measures to keep a minor from having an abortion.

Sponsor Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) said parents should not be penalized by the bill “for raising their children.”

Opponent Jack Brooks (D-Tex.) said that given the difficulty of instantly determining who is a parent or a minor, the amendment would impede police protection of clinics.

The vote was 350 for and 82 against. A yes vote was to adopt the amendment.

How They Voted

Rep. Cox (R): Yea

Rep. Dornan (R): Yea

Rep. Kim (R): Yea

Rep. Packard (R): Yea

Rep. Rohrabacher (R): Yea

Rep. Royce (R): Yea

Where to Reach Them

Christopher Cox, 47th District

4000 MacArthur Blvd., East Tower, Suite 430, Newport Beach 92660 (714) 756-2244

Robert K. Dornan, 46th District