Here is how members of Maryland's delegation on Capitol Hill were recorded on important roll-call votes last week: Y: Yes N: No X: Not voting
House: Steel
Voting 289 for and 141 against, the House passed a bill (HR 975) that would limit steel imports into the United States so they account for no more than 25 percent of the U.S. market. Imports from a specific country would be capped at their average monthly volume for a three-year period ending July 1997. The administration could use tariffs, quotas or negotiations to enforce the limits.
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Y N X Member Y N X Member
Y- Ehrlich, Robert L., R-2nd Y- Hoyer, Steny H. D-5th
Y- Bartlett, Roscoe G., R-6th Y- Wynn, Albert R., D-4th
Y- Cardin, Benjamin L., D-3rd Y- Cummings, Elijah E., D-7th
Y- Gilchrest, Wayne T., R-1st N- Morella, Constance A., R-8th
House: Missile defense
By a vote of 317 for and 105 against, the House passed a bill (HR 4) that would require the United States to deploy a national missile-defense system as soon as technology permits. The bill would require speedier deployment than the administration favors of anti-missile technology under development since the early 1980s. President Clinton recently agreed to the legislation. Formerly known as the Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars," the proposed umbrella has been renamed the National Missile Defense Program.
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Y N X Member Y N X Member
Y- Ehrlich, Robert L., R-2nd Y- Hoyer, Steny H. D-5th
Y- Bartlett, Roscoe G., R-6th N- Wynn, Albert R., D-4th
Y- Cardin, Benjamin L., D-3rd N- Cummings, Elijah E., D-7th
Y- Gilchrest, Wayne T., R-1st N- Morella, Constance A., R-8th
Senate: Missile defenses
Voting 97 for and three against, the Senate passed a bill (S 257) that would require the administration to deploy an anti-missile defense as soon as technology permits. It would be designed primarily as a shield against missiles launched by terrorist states. The bill would require a quicker timetable than an administration plan to delay a decision on whether to deploy until June 2000. The administration argues that to rush uncertain technology into operation would weaken national security and violate the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty with Russia.
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Y N X Member Y N X Member
Y- Mikulski, Barbara A., D Y- Sarbanes, Paul S., D
Senate: Tobacco
Voting 71 for and 29 against, senators tabled (killed) a requirement that states spend half of their tobacco settlement receipts on reducing youth smoking, helping tobacco farmers switch crops, and funding public health initiatives. Under the proposal, states were allowed to spend as they see fit the other half of more than $200 billion they are to receive under a 1998 tobacco settlement.
A yes vote was to kill the amendment.
Y N X Member Y N X Member
N- Mikulski, Barbara A., D N- Sarbanes, Paul S., D
Senate: China
Voting 69 for and 30 against, the Senate tabled (killed) an amendment giving Congress veto power over any agreement that would add China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the body that administers international trade pacts. The vote occurred during debate on a fiscal 1999 spending bill (S 554).
A yes vote opposed requiring congressional votes on admitting China to the WTO.
Y N X Member Y N X Member
Y- Mikulski, Barbara A., D Y- Sarbanes, Paul S., D