HNSC VOTES ON HR1778

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

Wednesday morning, June 11, the House National Security Committee took 
up the Defense Reform Act of 1997. John Spratt, Jr. (D-South Carolina) 
moved to strike Title III (the environmental provisions), but the 
motion failed 24-30, largely on a party line vote. No other changes 
were proposed.

Republicans (or their staff) argued that such legislation was necessary 
to give the committee a seat at the table for (Superfund and other) 
discussions that affect $12 billion of Energy and Defense Department 
environmental programs that it authorizes each year. Democrats argued 
that the committee could take part without trying to rush these changes 
through as part of other legislation.

Spratt read supportive letters from the Republican attorney general of 
Colorado (Gale Norton) and Democratic attorney general of Texas (Dan 
Morales). He also reported that Sherri Wasserman Goodman, Deputy 
Undersecretary of Defense of Environmental Security, did not support HR 1778.

Title III's provisions are a long way from becoming law. Apparently in 
response to the critics, Spence agreed to hold hearings on the 
provisions soon.

Lenny Siegel