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February 6, 2000, Sunday, Final Edition

SECTION: SOUTHERN MARYLAND EXTRA; Pg. M04

LENGTH: 481 words

HEADLINE: VOTES IN CONGRESS

BODY:

The following is a report of how some major bills fared last week in Congress and how Southern Maryland's representative, Steny H. Hoyer (D-5th District), and Democratic Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Paul S. Sarbanes voted.

HOUSE

DEFENDING TAIWAN

For-341 / Against-70

The House passed a bill (HR 1838) to formalize U.S. military ties with Taiwan. The measure expands upon the Taiwan Relations Act, which for the past 21 years has committed America to the defense of Taiwan against the People's Republic of China. It directs the administration to step up arms sales to Taiwan, gives the Pentagon a seven-month window for planning joint U.S.-Taiwanese maneuvers, reserves slots for Taiwanese officers at U.S. academies, and authorizes a secure hot line between Washington and Taipei. A yes vote supported formalizing U.S. military ties with Taiwan. HOYER-YES

SENATE

BANKRUPTCY OVERHAUL

For-83 / Against-14

The Senate passed a bill (HR 833) making it more difficult to use bankruptcy to erase debt, raising the minimum hourly wage from $ 5.15 to $ 6.15 over three years and providing $ 76 billion in business tax breaks over ten years. The bill requires debtors above certain income levels to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which entails some repayment, rather than Chapter 7, which involves little or no repayment. It requires credit cards to spell out on monthly statements how long it takes to pay off the full amount owed at the "minimum payment" level. A yes vote supported making it more difficult to use bankruptcy to erase debt.

MIKULSKI-YES SARBANES-NO

CRIMES AGAINST ABORTION CLINICS

For-80 / Against-17

Senators voted to prohibit those convicted of crimes against abortion clinics from using bankruptcy to avoid paying court judgments arising from their illegal acts. The ban was attached to HR 833 (above). It would join more than 15 specific types of debt that are not dischargeable in bankruptcy law. For example, drunk drivers who have caused death, injuries or property damage cannot have their resulting financial liability discharged through bankruptcy. A yes vote was to approve the prohibition.

MIKULSKI-YES SARBANES-YES

GUN SUITS

For-29 / Against-68

The Senate refused to prohibit gun manufacturers from using bankruptcy to discharge debt arising from court findings in suits, such as those brought by cities, that they acted recklessly, negligently or fraudulently. The amendment was proposed to HR 833 (above). A yes vote backed the prohibition.

MIKULSKI-YES SARBANES-YES

GREENSPAN CONFIRMATION

For-89 / Against-4

The Senate confirmed Alan Greenspan, 73, to a fourth four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve System, the independent agency that sets government monetary policy and runs the U.S. banking system. A yes vote was to confirm Greenspan.

MIKULSKI-YES SARBANES-YES

LOAD-DATE: February 06, 2000