FW #23 -- 6/9/97
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A number of the bills being considered by the 105th Congress are summarized
below. Contact your elected officials in Washington about the bills of
concern to you and your family.
WRITE: The Honorable (first & last name);
U.S. Senate,
Washington, D.C. 20510
or
U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C. 20515.
CALL: (202) 224-3121 or (800) 962-3524.
PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN (H.R.1122 & S. 6):
This legislation,
introduced by Rep. Canady (R-FL) and Sen. Santorum (R-PA) would ban
partial-birth abortions or "D & X" abortions. The "D& X" procedure
involves the complete delivery of the child except for the head. The
child's skull is then punctured, the brains suctioned out and the dead baby
delivered.
CURRENT STATUS: The House passed H.R. 1122 by a veto-proof
majority (295-136) in March. On 5/21/97, the Senate passed the ban, with a
few changes, by a 64-36 vote. The House will vote on the Senate changes
right after the Memorial Day recess. If President Clinton vetoes the ban,
it will return to both Chambers for an override vote -- the 64-36 Senate
vote is three votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override
a presidential veto.
ADOPTION PROMOTION ACT (H.R. 867):
Introduced by Reps. Kennelly (D-CT)
and Camp (R-MI), this legislation seeks to remove roadblocks to adoption.
It is designed to address concerns that many children with unfit biological
parents are being kept in foster homes when there are parents who want to
adopt them.
CURRENT STATUS: The House passed H.R. 867 on 4/30/97 by 416-5. It now
moves to the Senate.
AMERICAN SOVEREIGNTY RESTORATION ACT OF 1997 (H.R. 1146):
Introduced by
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), this legislation will restore undiluted U.S.
sovereignty by providing for the complete withdrawal of the United States
from the U.N.
CURRENT STATUS: H.R. 1146 has been referred to the House
Committee on International Relations and has five cosponsors.
"CAREERS" ACT (H.R. 1385):
The CAREERS Act, which promoted
"school-to-work" and was defeated during the 104th Congress by pro-family
groups, is back this year -- but in two installments. Rep. McKeon (R-CA)
has introduced the first installment, "The Employment Training and Literacy
Empowerment Act of 1997" (H.R. 1385). The 2nd installment, dealing with
school-to-work measures, is being drafted. According to The American Policy
Center, if H.R. 1385 passes, it will: 1) take job training choices away
from individuals, parents, and local communities; 2) further blur the
distinction between education and work; 3) expand the power of the
Departments of Education and Labor (giving the Secretary of Labor and
Education exclusive rule over America's job training programs); and more.
CURRENT STATUS: The House passed H.R. 1385, 343-60, on 5/16/97. It now
moves to the Senate.
FAMILY FRIENDLY WORK PLACE ACT (H.R. 1 & S. 4):
Introduced by Sen.
Ashcroft (R-MO), S. 4 would allow workers the flexibility to schedule their
work week around their families, by revising a federal law which was first
passed in 1938.
CURRENT STATUS: The House passed its version of the bill,
H.R. 1, in April. A vote on S. 4 in the Senate is expected soon.
MILITARY RECRUIT TRAINING POLICY RESTORATION ACT OF 1997 (H.R. 1559):
Introduced by Rep. Bartlett (R-MD), this legislation will amend Title 10,
U.S. Code, to require that recruit basic training in the Army, Navy, Air
Force and Marines be conducted separately for male and female recruits.
CURRENT STATUS: Has 112 cosponsors. Referred to the House Committee on
National Security.
FOREIGN AID AUTHORIZATION (H.R. 1486):
Funding for foreign aid is
considered annually -- as an authorization bill and as an appropriations
bill. Rep. Smith (R-NJ) will introduce an amendment to restore pro-life
restrictions to U.S. foreign policy. These restrictions, first established
during the Reagan Administration, prohibit U.S. funding of overseas
organizations that promote and/or perform abortions.
CURRENT STATUS:
Hearings are being held.
FREEDOM FROM RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION ACT (H.R. 1685 & S. 772):
This
legislation will require sanctions against countries that engage in ongoing,
widespread religious persecution. Religious persecution, especially of
Christians, is a growing problem around the world.
CURRENT STATUS:
Additional cosponsors are needed.
"INTERNET GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT OF 1997" (S. 474):
This
legislation, introduced by Sen Kyl (R-AZ), would outlaw gambling on the
Internet, and would require the Attorney General to report on the extent of
computer gambling and the problems associated with enforcing laws against
it.
CURRENT STATUS: Has 5 cosponsors. Hearings have not been scheduled.
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM (H.R. 3):
This legislation authorizes a block
grant program for States which will promote greater accountability in the
juvenile justice system. By providing incentives to States that reduce
their juvenile crime, communities will be encouraged to develop innovative
public and private initiatives that will combat gang-related juvenile crime
through measures appropriate to that community.
CURRENT STATUS: The House
passed H.R. 3 (286-32) in May and will now move to the Senate.
"21ST CENTURY PATENT IMPROVEMENT ACT" (H.R. 400 & S. 507):
This
legislation overhauls the U.S. patent system, putting it in jeopardy.
According to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) this legislation "diminishes the
patent rights of the American people and thus in the long run will make
America technologically inferior, undercut our prosperity, and our national
security."
CURRENT STATUS: The House passed H.R. 400 by voice vote on
4/24/97. The Kaptur Amendment, which passed 220-193, exempts small
businesses, universities, and independent inventors from some of the
provisions. The Senate version passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on
5/22/97, with amendments. S. 507 now moves to the full Senate
