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February 13, 2000, Sunday, Final Edition

SECTION: PRINCE WILLIAM EXTRA; Pg. V07

LENGTH: 632 words

HEADLINE: For the Record

BODY:

Here's how some major bills fared recently in Congress and how local congressional members voted, as provided by Thomas' Roll Call Report Syndicate. NV means Not Voting.

HOUSE VOTES

TAIWAN MILITARY AID

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 last 21 years has committed the United States 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 was to pass the bill.

MARYLAND

Bartlett (R): Yes

Cardin (D): Yes

Ehrlich (R): Yes

Gilchrest (R): Yes

Hoyer (D): Yes

Cummings (D): Yes

Morella (R): Yes

Wynn (D): Yes

VIRGINIA

Davis (R): Yes

Moran (D): No

Wolf (R): Yes

Bateman (R): Yes

Bliley (R): Yes

SENATE VOTES

BANKRUPTCY OVERHAUL

For: 83 / Against: 14

The Senate passed a bill (HR 833) making it more difficult to use bankruptcy to erase debt. The measure also raises the minimum hourly wage from $ 5.15 to $ 6.15 over three years and provides $ 76 billion in business tax breaks over 10 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 also requires credit card companies 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 was to pass the bill.

MARYLAND

Mikulski (D): Yes

Sarbanes (D): No

VIRGINIA

Robb (D): Yes

Warner (R): Yes

BANKRUPTCY PROHIBITION

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).

The prohibition would join more than 15 types of debt that are not dischargeable under bankruptcy law. For example, drunk drivers who have caused deaths, injuries or property damage cannot have their resulting financial liability discharged through bankruptcy.

A yes vote was to approve the prohibition.

MARYLAND

Mikulski (D): Yes

Sarbanes (D): Yes

VIRGINIA

Robb (D): Yes

Warner (R): Yes

GUN MANUFACTURERS

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.

MARYLAND

Mikulski (D): Yes

Sarbanes (D): Yes

VIRGINIA

Robb (D): No

Warner (R): No

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.

Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) said that since Greenspan became Federal Reserve System chairman in August 1987, inflation has declined from 4.5 percent to 2.7 percent, long-term interest rates are down from 8.98 percent to 6.42 percent, unemployment has dropped from 5.7 percent to 4.1 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up from 1,939 to more than 10,000,

A yes vote was to confirm Greenspan.

MARYLAND

Mikulski (D): Yes

Sarbanes (D): Yes

VIRGINIA

Robb (D): Yes

Warner (R): Yes

LOAD-DATE: February 13, 2000