THE HOUSE

To Hike Grazing Fees

The House approved, 232 to 192, an approximately fourfold increase in fees for grazing cattle on federal land. The amendment was added to the fiscal 1992 Interior Department appropriations bill (HR 2686). It gradually raises the rate to the free-market level of about $9 monthly for each animal, more than four times the subsidized fee that 26,000 Western ranchers now pay for federal grazing services.

Supporter George (Buddy) Darden (D-Ga.) said: “The present fee does not even cover the cost of managing the rangelands under federal control.”

Opponent Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) called the amendment “a detriment to ranchers, taxpayers and our natural resources in the West.”

A yes vote was to quadruple federal grazing fees.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lewis (R) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x Rep. Thomas (R) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Health and Human Services

By a vote of 353 to 74, the House sent the Senate a bill (HR 2707) appropriating $204 billion in fiscal 1992 for the departments of Labor, Education and Health and Human Services. Members did not vote directly on abortion. But they retained language in behalf of abortion counseling by family-planning clinics and removed a requirement that parents be notified if their minor child is to have an abortion.

President Bush vows to veto the bill because of its tilt in favor of abortion rights.

Supporter James H. Scheuer (D-N.Y.) said that under the bill, women can get “the information necessary to make their own health-care decisions.”

Opponent Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) said the bill sets up “a free-fire zone for killing pre-born children in their mother’s womb.”

A yes vote was to pass the bill.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Beilenson (D) x Rep. Berman (D) x Rep. Gallegly (R) x Rep. Lewis (R) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x Rep. Thomas (R) x Rep. Waxman (D) x

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate