Posted by M. Allingham-Dale on November 02, 2000 at 14:32:44:
THE DIFFERENCE
Voting Records of Democrats vs. Republicans
In an election year when so much hangs in the balance, when we face
the very real possibility of a federal government under Republican
control, it is critical to understand that a profound difference
exists between the Democratic and the Republican parties.This project, The Difference, was inspired by political discussions
with some of our friends, who repeatedly state that there is no
difference between the two major political parties. These friends say
that the two parties are equally beholden to special interests, and
cannot be trusted to carry out their election promises. We address
the findings of this study not only to these friends, but to people
like them who might not be motivated to vote, as well as to
supporters of Ralph Nader who would deflect votes from Democratic
candidates.What follows is objective evidence of a profound difference between
the Democratic and the Republican parties, not only in speech but in
action, demonstrated by their voting records in the Senate and the
House. Included in this document are brief descriptions of 17
Congressional bills from the years 1997-2000, along with the total
votes cast on each bill, divided by political party. The information
contained in this document was gathered from web sites maintained by
the Project Vote Smart and Public Interest Rating Group organizations.Please forward this message to everyone you think would benefit from
it -- those people who agree, and those voters who are undecided or
unmotivated. Attached is a copy of the document, The Difference.
Please consider printing the attachment (or this message) and posting
it where the maximum number of people can see it.Thank you.
THE DIFFERENCE:
VOTING RECORDS OF DEMOCRATS VS. REPUBLICANS
ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES (1997 - 2000)
EDUCATION
Fiscal 2001 Budget - Increase Pell Grants- Raises basic Pell Grant
(student grant) from $3,300 to $3,700. Senate 2000 - Passed 51-49DEMOCRATS: 45 FOR - 0 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 6 FOR - 49 AGAINST
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Shays/Meehan Campaign Finance Overhaul- Prevents corporations and
very wealthy donors from giving unregulated and unlimited ("soft
money") contributions to political parties and other groups. House
1999 - Passed 243-175DEMOCRATS: 188 FOR - 11 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 55 FOR - 164 AGAINST
Campaign Finance Constitutional Amendment- Authorizes Congress and
the states to set mandatory limits on campaign spending and
contributions. Senate 1997 - Rejected 38-61DEMOCRATS: 32 FOR - 8 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 6 FOR - 53 AGAINST
ENVIRONMENT
Fiscal 2001 Commerce, Justice, State-Kyoto Protocol- Allows
implementation of parts of the Kyoto treaty to reduce emission of
greenhouse gases. House 2000 - Passed 217-181DEMOCRATS: 172 FOR - 16 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 44 FOR - 164 AGAINST
Hardrock Mining Deduction- Repeals tax loophole on public lands
purchased by mining companies for $2.50 -$5 per acre. Would raise
almost $500 million over 5 years. Senate 1997 - Rejected 36-63DEMOCRATS: 29 FOR - 16 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 7 FOR - 47 AGAINST
Reduce Funding for Forest Service Road Construction- Reduces funding
for Forest Service road construction by $10 million. Senate 1997 -
Rejected 49-51DEMOCRATS: 40 FOR - 5 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 9 FOR - 46 AGAINST
Nuclear Waste Policy Act Amendments- Mandates transportation of
highly radioactive waste through 43 states. Senate 2000 - Passed,
64-34DEMOCRATS: 12 FOR - 32 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 52 FOR - 2 AGAINST
San Rafael Legacy District-Motor Vehicles in Wilderness Area-
Authorizes the Bureau of Land Management to allow motorized vehicles
in a wilderness area in Utah. House 2000 - Rejected 210-214DEMOCRATS: 5 FOR - 204 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 204 FOR - 9 AGAINST
Fiscal 2001 Interior Appropriations-Gas Efficiency- Eliminates
funding for a program that funds development of more fuel-efficient
vehicles (80 mpg). House 2000 - Passed 214-211DEMOCRATS: 67 FOR - 140 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 145 FOR - 71 AGAINST
Nuclear Waste Policy Act Amendments- Mandates transportation of
highly radioactive waste through 43 states. House 2000 - Passed
252-166DEMOCRATS: 53 FOR - 148 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 199 FOR - 18 AGAINST
King Cove Alaska Land Transfer- Mandates construction of a 30-mile
long road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness
Area in Alaska. Endangers waterfowl species, including Stellar's
eiders, tundra swan, and Pacific brant. Senate 1998 - Passed 59-38DEMOCRATS: 8 FOR - 35 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 51 FOR - 3 AGAINST
ABORTION
Fiscal 2001 Defense Authorization-Military Base Abortions- Kills an
amendment allowing privately funded abortions at overseas military
facilities. Senate 2000 - Passed 50-49DEMOCRATS: 2 FOR - 43 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 48 FOR - 6 AGAINST
Late-Term Abortion Ban- Bans doctors from performing late-term
abortions, except when the life of the woman is at risk. Does not
allow abortions when the health of the woman is at risk. House 2000 -
Passed, 287-141DEMOCRATS: 77 FOR - 132 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 209 FOR - 8 AGAINST
Transportation of Minors for Abortions- Makes it a federal crime to
transport a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion. House
1999 - Passed 270-159DEMOCRATS: 64 FOR - 144 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 205 FOR - 14 AGAINST
CIVIL RIGHTS - HATE CRIMES
Fiscal 2001 Defense Authorization - Expanding Hate Crimes- Expands
definition of hate crimes to include gender, sexual orientation and
disability. Senate 2000 - Passed 57-42DEMOCRATS: 44 FOR - 1 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 13 FOR - 41 AGAINST
HEALTH CARE
Patients Bill of Rights- This bill: * Covers only 48 million patients
* Does not guarantee access to specialists * Does not ban financial
incentives to deny care * Does not ensure that doctors (not HMOs)
have final say in medical decisions * Does not hold health plans
legally liable for harm to patient. Senate 1999 - Passed 53-47DEMOCRATS: 0 FOR - 45 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 53 FOR - 2 AGAINST
VOTERS RIGHTS
Shays-Meehan Substitute-Rollback of Voter Registration by Mail-
Repeals requirement for states to provide voter registration by mail.
House 1998 - Rejected, 165-260DEMOCRATS: 2 FOR - 199 AGAINST
REPUBLICANS: 163 FOR - 60 AGAINST