Price-Fixing Issue

The House voted 218 to 195 to soften a bill (HR 1470) to combat vertical price-fixing, which is the practice of manufacturers and full-price retailers cooperating to keep products off the shelves of discounters who would drive prices down.

The amendment exempted from the bill companies whose lack of “market power” means their actions against discounters could not result in rigged prices. Critics said it could gut the bill. It was supported by the National Federation of Independent Business and opposed by discounters, such as K mart and Burlington Coat Factory.

Sponsor Tom Campbell (R-Palo Alto) said his amendment “is good for small business, it is good for the economy.”

Jack Brooks (D-Tex.) said: “Let us not wrap the banner of small business around an amendment that would exempt the Fortune 500 from this legislation.”

A yes vote was to soften the bill against vertical price-fixing.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Moorhead (R) X Rep. Roybal (D) X Rep. Waxman (D) X

Pork Barrel Dispute

The House voted 330 to 96 to spend nearly $250 million on 88 “demonstration” highway projects located mostly in the districts of influential lawmakers. The vote occurred as the House approved the conference report on a bill (HR 2942) spending $32 billion in fiscal 1992 for highway, mass transit and airport improvements and other transportation programs. The bill codifies random alcohol and drug testing of mass transit personnel.

Supporter Lawrence Coughlin (R-Pa.) defended the $250 million as justified “for projects that members believe meet the priorities of their districts. . . .”

Opponent Harris W. Fawell (R-Ill.) complained “we cannot say no to anybody or anything” in the House, as the national debt mounts.

A yes vote was to spend $250 million on 88 demonstration highway projects.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Moorhead (R) X Rep. Roybal (D) X Rep. Waxman (D) X

Appalachian Highway

By a vote of 238 to 186, the House kept $148.5 million in HR 2942 (above) for completing an Appalachian Regional Commission interstate in West Virginia. House Republicans caused the vote as part of their campaign to spotlight pork barrel for members of both parties in bills moving through the Democratic-led Congress. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) is a prime mover behind the Appalachian highway funding.

Supporter Bob Wise (D-W.Va.) said: “This is a major coal-hauling road” serving “a lot of states in the Northeast for their energy needs.”

Opponent Dan Burton (R-Ind.) said Byrd “has promised his constituents back in West Virginia that he is going to bring $1 billion home for his state.”

A yes vote was to spend the $148.5 million.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Moorhead (R) X Rep. Roybal (D) X Rep. Waxman (D) X