Domestic Partnership-- DC Appropriations For 2002
September 28, 2001

We're losing this battle. Last week, in full committee, Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) introduced an amendment that would allow DC to start using its funds (not federal funds) to implement the domestic partnership law. The legislation creates benefits for unmarried and homosexual couples, such as health care, extending employment, or governmental benefits.

Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) offered an amendment on the House floor to restore the full funding ban on implementing the DC domestic partners bill-- a ban that has been in place since 1992. We lost the Weldon amendment in a 194-226 vote. Forty-one Republicans voted against this amendment. If your Rep. is one of them, please contact him/her and ask them to support the full ban if the bill goes to conference. They are: Bass- NH, Biggert- IL, Boehlert- NY, Bono- CA, Castle- DE, T. Davis- VA, Dreier- CA, Ehrlich- MD, English- PA, Ferguson- NJ, Foley- FL, Frelinghuysen- NJ, Ganske- IA, Gilchrest- MD, Gillmor- OH, Gilman- NY, Greenwood- PA, Hobson- OH, Horn- CA, Houghton- NY, Issa- CA, Johnson- CT, Kelly- NY, Kirk- IL, Kolbe- AZ, LaTourette- OH, Leach- IA, Lewis- CA, McCrery- LA, Miller- FL, Morella- MD, Ose- CA, Pryce- OH, Regula- OH, Rohrabacher- CA, Ros-Lehtinen- FL, Shaw- FL, Shays- CT, Sweeney- NY, Thomas- CA.

The bill now moves to the Senate. Please contact your Senator and ask him/her to offer and vote for a provision that would keep the full ban in place.

Rep. John Hostettler (R- IN) offered an amendment prohibiting any funds from being used to enforce a DC human rights commission ruling forcing the Boy Scouts to pay $100,000 plus attorney's fees to dismissed troop leaders. Passed 262- 152.

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Abortions in military hospitals-- Department of Defense Appropriations For 2002

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) offered a amendment that would allow abortions to be performed in our military hospitals overseas. Failed 218- 107.

Candace Wheeler, Legislative Director
Religious Freedom Coalition
Washington, DC