The HouseContra AidThe House approved, 345 to...

The House

Contra Aid

The House approved, 345 to 70, a $47.9-million humanitarian aid package that will keep Contra forces in the field during early stages of the March 23 truce between the American-backed rebel forces and the Sandinista government of Nicaragua.

The measure (HJ Res 523) was approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Reagan. It earmarks about $10 million for Organization of American States efforts to verify the 60-day cease-fire that launches the peace agreement and $2.5 million for administrative costs.

The remaining $35.4 million is to be split between medical care for children injured in the Nicaraguan war and non-lethal aid for the Contras.

Members voting yes supported the aid package.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Dixon (D) x Rep. Levine (D) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Air Controllers

By a vote of 234 for and 180 against, the House passed and sent to the Senate a bill (HR 3396) requiring the government to rehire at least 1,000 of the 11,400 air traffic controllers fired by President Reagan in 1981.

The discharged Federal Aviation Administration workers had belonged to the now- defunct Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) and were striking in violation of federal law.

Supporter William Ford (D-Mich.) said experienced PATCO controllers are needed because “the air traffic control system is at the stress point--too much traffic and too few qualified controllers.”

Opponent John Hammerschmidt (R-Ark.) said “putting the strikers and their replacements in the same control tower is sure to create animosity between the two factions” and undermine air safety.

Members voting yes favored rehiring the fired controllers.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Dixon (D) x Rep. Levine (D) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Transition Funds

By a vote of 203 to 187, the House adopted an amendment to prevent presidents-elect from accepting private contributions to defray their official transition costs. The vote occurred during debate on a bill (HR 3932), sent to the Senate, authorizing $3.5 million in transition funds for incoming presidents and $1 million for those leaving the White House.

At issue was whether private contributors to transition costs are trying to buy influence.

Members voting yes wanted to outlaw private contributions toward presidential transition costs.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Dixon (D) x Rep. Levine (D) x Rep. Waxman (D) x