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Report from the HillA digest of Congressional activity of LWV interest. Environmental Quality — The League sent a letter to the President responding to plans to relax air quality standards. The Plan was criticized because it was vague, ignored other alternatives, did not spell out criteria for granting variances and did not specify EPA's role. The League also commented on the relationship between energy needs and Environmental values; "...the solution you choose should neither undermine the environmental consciousness of the public, nor reverse the trend to enacting and implementing good environmental legislation." Housing-- The President's message and draft legislation provide no new programs for low- and moderate-income housing and permit new construction rehabilitation only for rental housing. Senate action on housing/community development expected in October. Legal Services--The day before we went to press the Senate Subcommittee on Employment, Poverty and Migratory Labor sent a new Legal Services Corporation bill to the full committee on Labor and Public Welfare, Harrison Williams (D NJ), Chairman. The League had filed a strong statement of opposition to the House bill and a review of our goals for the program. Minimum Wage Action and Roll Call Vote--Lucy Benson wrote all House members urging support for an override of the President's veto of the minimum wage bill. This action was taken on the basis of our support for programs to alleviate poverty and to boost earnings of the working poor as a preliminary step to welfare reform that includes decent it come maintenance. Welfare Legislation—-Martha Greenawalt testified before the Senate Finance Committee in opposition to threatening and repressive legislation on child support and paternity determination--S 2081. The bill is almost identical with provisions we opposed in last year's HR1. It sets up a new federal system in the Dept. of Justice for helping to locate and secure payments from deserting parents. All AFDC applicants would have to sign over rights to support payments to the federal government as a condition of receiving aid. Congress Vs. the Executive--Action continues in Congress on anti-impoundment and budget process bills. League interest in budget control focuses on Congress' ability to reorder priorities to provide full funding for League-supported programs. Direct Election of the President --In testimony before the Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments on Sept. 26, Lucy Benson supported SJ Res 1: "We believe that the present outmoded system should be replaced by a method that incorporates the principle of one person, one vote through direct election of the president.".. . U.S. Congress-Committee Reform—-Lucy Benson was the sole witness before the House Select Committee on Committees on Sept. 21, and was one of only eight national non-governmental organization leaders asked to appear. For full copies of both statements, order from Publication Sales by date and Pub. No. 412. Correction--The special subscription rate for the CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY is $190, not $160 per year as reported in the last R/H. Checks should be made out to the LWVUS and sent directly to Lesley Dunn, Legislative Action Department.
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