AP
- July 16, 2009
House Bill Would Allow D.C. to Fund Abortions
The measure passed by a narrow margin, with many anti-abortion Democrats voting against it because of the move by Democratic leaders to permit the D.C. government to use locally raised tax revenues to provide abortions -- reversing a long-standing ban imposed by Congress
WASHINGTON -- The District of Columbia government could fund abortions for the poor and take steps toward legalizing marijuana for medical purposes under a spending bill passed by the House on Thursday.
The measure also would force General Motors Co. and Chrysler LLC to restore franchise agreements with the approximately 3,000 dealerships that they cut loose as part of restructuring plans approved by bankruptcy courts. The White House and the two companies oppose the idea, saying it would get in the way of the effort to return them to profitability.
The measure passed by a narrow 219-208 margin, with many anti-abortion Democrats voting against it because of the move by Democratic leaders to permit the D.C. government to use locally raised tax revenues to provide abortions -- reversing a long-standing ban imposed by Congress.
The bill also paves the way for the D.C. government to legalize medical marijuana, establish a needle exchange program for intravenous drug users to prevent the spread of HIV, and begins to phase out a school voucher program for D.C. students that's popular with Republicans. Republicans were blocked from being able to vote on reversing the Democratic moves.
The measure provides $768 million in federal money for the D.C. government. During GOP control of Congress, Republicans routinely used Congress' authority over the District to impose conservative social policies on the overwhelmingly Democratic city.
The measure also funds the Treasury Department and White House budgets. It would reduce the budget for the government's anti-drug media campaign from $70 million to just $20 million, citing studies that question its effectiveness. It also contains significant increases for the Securities and Exchange Commission to police the financial markets.
Earlier, a key House panel adopted a $636 billion measure for the Pentagon that deals a big setback to Obama's plans to reshape the Defense Department's procurement budget
In approving the bill, the Appropriations defense subcommittee disregarded Obama's attempts to cease production of the F-22 fighter and a badly over-budget new presidential helicopter.
The defense bill unveiled Thursday represented a sharp rebuke of Defense Secretary Robert Gates' efforts to kill weapons systems such as the F-22 fighter, the VH-71 presidential helicopter, the C-17 cargo jet, and an alternative engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The measure contained funding for each program, though defense subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., only provided $369 million for the F-22, which he said would go mostly for spare parts. The $485 million for the presidential helicopter project would try to salvage five to seven aircraft after spending more than $3.2 billion.
"You can't just cancel programs and not get anything out of them," Murtha said.
Murtha's bill also drops Obama's request for $100 million to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and includes $128 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Murtha said more money for the wars would probably have to be appropriated next spring, depending on how well things are going in Afghanistan.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
From Pro-Choice to Pro-Life
-
Nov 09, 2009
Fmr. Planned Parenthood director
-
-
-
Shocking Warning
-
Nov 09, 2009
Hannan on global climate change agenda
-
-
-
Hannity's America: 11/6
-
Nov 09, 2009
Failure to communicate?
-
-
-
Misplaced Priorities?
-
Nov 09, 2009
Should Dems be focusing more on economy?
-
-
-
2nd Stimulus Needed?
-
Nov 09, 2009
High unemployment puts pressure on Obama
-
-
-
'The Right Decision'
-
Nov 09, 2009
Republican votes for health care bill
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 51.7% | 43.7% | +8.0% |
| Congress | 25.5% | 66.7% | -41.2% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 38.2% | 55.8% | -17.6% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,126 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 609 comments
-
Republicans Rally Resistance to Health Care Bill, as House Vote Nears
November 05, 2009 656 comments
-
Democrats Face Electoral Backlash After Health Care Vote, Top Republican Warns
November 09, 2009 556 comments
-
Obama Draws Criticism for Sitting Out Berlin Wall Anniversary
November 09, 2009 535 comments
-
Aid for Elderly May Raise Costs for Young
November 09, 2009
-
U.S. Lowers Goals for Asia Trip
November 09, 2009
-
Bills Would Set Limits on Big Firms
November 09, 2009
-
Netanyahu Offers No Advance in Talks
November 09, 2009
-
Health Bill Faces Senate Heat
November 09, 2009
-
At last we’re getting our heads out of the sand
November 09, 2009
-
The laws that stain Britain’s good name
November 09, 2009
-
Gordon Brown screwed up by not screwing it up
November 09, 2009
-
Would you live on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall?
November 09, 2009
-
Graveyard of empires could claim more careers
November 09, 2009
recommend

Subscribe to Comments






