HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fetal Tissue Research

The House approved an amendment to advance fetal tissue research to combat diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The amendment was added to a National Institutes of Health funding bill that already contained language helping President Clinton lift a longtime ban on the research. It removed obstacles placed by anti-abortion lawmakers in the path of government-sponsored research involving fetal tissue transplantation.

Supporter Dan Glickman (D-Kan.) said, “In the area of diabetes, we probably will have a cure sooner rather than later because of research using fetal tissue.”

Opponent Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.) said, “I am all for fetal research” but only if done “in an ethical way” on fetuses resulting from involuntary abortion.

The vote was 253 to 173. A yes vote was to advance federally sponsored fetal tissue research.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

AIDS and Immigrants

The House endorsed a ban on the immigration of HIV-infected persons to the United States. The non-binding vote urged acceptance of Senate-passed language writing the ban into the National Institutes of Health budget (above).

Supporter Gerald B. H. Solomon (R-N.Y.) said allowing bearers of the AIDS virus into the United States would “place healthy American citizens at higher risk (and) strain existing resources that already are overtaxed.”

Opponent Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said whether to impose the ban is “a scientific decision for the health profession to make, not a political decision for Congress.”

The vote was 356 for and 58 against. A yes vote was to ban HIV-infected immigrants from the United States.

How They Voted Yea Nay No vote Rep. Becerra (D) x Rep. Moorhead (R) x

Where to Reach Them

Xavier Becerra, 30th District

2433 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles 90041 (213) 722-0405

Carlos J. Moorhead, 27th District

420 N. Brand Blvd., Room 304, Glendale 91203 (818) 247-8445

Source: Roll Call Report Syndicate