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May 09, 1999, Sunday, Final Edition

SECTION: SOUTHERN MARYLAND EXTRA; Pg. M05

LENGTH: 746 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. Paul S. Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski voted.

HOUSE

MILITARY

For-311/Against-105

The House passed a bill (HR 1664) providing $ 6 billion requested by President Clinton for fighting the war in Yugoslavia, enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq and aiding refugees in the Balkans. The bill also provides $ 7 billion added by Republicans for a variety of defense and domestic programs. Because the entire $ 13.1 billion was defined as "emergency" spending, it was not offset by spending cuts or tax increases, and, therefore, will be taken from budget surpluses including Social Security reserves. Among the outlays added by Republicans were $ 1.8 billion for military pay and pension increases, $ 831 million for upgrading barracks and vehicles at military bases, and $ 106 million in emergency farm aid. A yes vote was to pass the bill. HOYER-YES

GROUND TROOPS

For-117/Against-301

The House refused to deny funding of U.S. ground troops in the NATO war against Serbia unless Congress authorizes their deployment. The vote occurred during debate on a bill (HR 1664, above) that funds the ongoing war and a variety of other defense and domestic initiatives. A yes vote was to prohibit funding of U.S. ground forces in Yugoslavia unless Congress first authorizes them.

HOYER-NO

BANKRUPTCY

For-313/Against-108

The House passed a bill (HR 833) making it more difficult for bankruptcy filers with financial means to shirk their debt. Debtors with capacity to pay would be required to file under the bankruptcy code's Chapter 13, which entails some repayment, rather than Chapter 7, which requires little or no repayment. Under the bill, most debtors making more than the regional median income would have to submit Chapter 13 repayment plans. The national median income for a family of four is about $ 51,000. The bill also gives stronger collection tools to credit card companies, banks and other lenders, while limiting class action suits against those firms. It was backed by financial institutions and opposed by consumer and civil rights organizations. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

HOYER-YES

DEMOCRATS' PLAN

For-149/Against-272

The House rejected a substitute bankruptcy bill, sponsored by Democrats, that was stricter toward lenders than a competing GOP bill (HR 833, above). The substitute was backed by the Consumer Federation of America and opposed by the American Bankers Association. In contrast to the GOP approach, it put no curbs on class action suits against fraudulent creditors, made it easier for single mothers to collect child support from former husbands under Chapter 13, and required credit cards to disclose on monthly statements how long it takes to pay off balances at the "minimum payment" level. In defining whether one has means to retire debt, the Democratic plan used actual living expenses as the standard, not IRS guidelines as stipulated in the GOP bill. Also, it used present and projected income, not past income, in determining whether a debtor is assigned to Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. A yes vote supported the Democratic alternative.

HOYER-NO

SENATE

YUGOSLAVIA

For-78/Against-22

The Senate tabled (killed) a measure (SJ Res 20) authorizing President Clinton "to use all necessary force and other means," including ground troops, to win NATO's war against Yugoslavia. A yes vote opposed using "all necessary force" to defeat Yugoslavia.

MIKULSKI-YES SARBANES-YES

FINANCIAL COMPETITION

For-54/Against-44

The Senate passed a bill (S 900) enabling the banking, securities and insurance industries to compete directly against one another. The bill removes barriers to competition such as the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act and gives the Federal Reserve Board authority to oversee the financial conglomerates that the legislation would spawn. Agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and state insurance examiners would continue to regulate specific financial services. The bill continues the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act, which requires banks to lend in low-income neighborhoods. But it so weakens the CRA that it drew opposition from civil rights and consumer organizations. The bill requires banks to post fee schedules at automated tellers. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

MIKULSKI-NO SARBANES-NO

LOAD-DATE: May 09, 1999