THE HOUSE

Family Leave

By a vote of 253 to 177, the House passed a bill (HR 2) requiring employers of at least 50 workers to provide up to 12 weeks of annual unpaid leave for childbirth or other medical circumstances involving an employee or close family member. Leave-takers would retain health benefits while away and would receive the same job or its equivalent when they return. The legislation applies fully to federal, state and local government employers, but exempts members of Congress from court review of their compliance.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted

Rep. Beilenson (D): Yea

Rep. Berman (D): Yea

Rep. Gallegly (R): Nay

Rep. Lewis (R): Nay

Rep. Moorhead (R): Nay

Rep. Thomas (R): Nay

Rep. Waxman (D): Yea

Jobless Benefits

By a vote of 396 to 30, the House passed a bill (HR 3575) providing six, 13 or 20 weeks of new jobless benefits to those who have used up their initial 26 weeks of checks. Up to 3 million of the unemployed in 50 states could be helped by the bill. The program expires July 4, 1992, and, in a majority of states, applies retroactively to those whose initial allotment ran out after March 1, 1991. The bill’s $5.2-billion cost is designed to be offset by revenue measures, although critics argued it could worsen the deficit.

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted

Rep. Beilenson (D): Yea

Rep. Berman (D): Yea

Rep. Gallegly (R): Nay

Rep. Lewis (R): Yea

Rep. Moorhead (R): Yea

Rep. Thomas (R): Yea

Rep. Waxman (D): Yea

Banking Overhaul

By a vote of 191 to 227, the House defeated a bill (HR 2094) enabling banks to open branches nationwide and begin selling securities, in return for tight regulation to keep them from taking undue risk with federally insured deposits.

This was the second defeat in 10 days for legislation easing Depression-era banking laws. Opponents ranged from small banks opposed to nationwide branching to large banks that disliked the new regulations. The memory of what happened when Congress allowed S&Ls; to become entrepreneurial turned some lawmakers away from the bill.

A yes vote was to pass the banking overhaul.

How They Voted

Rep. Beilenson (D): Nay

Rep. Berman (D): Yea

Rep. Gallegly (R): Yea

Rep. Lewis (R): Yea

Rep. Moorhead (R): Yea

Rep. Thomas (R): Yea

Rep. Waxman (D): Nay

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate