By Stephen C. Fehr
Washington Post Staff Writer
September 10, 1999

A partisan fight over adoption of the D.C. budget escalated last night as the Republican-led House narrowly approved social and health mandates on the District while endorsing the city's $4.7 billion budget and tax cuts.

The largely party-line vote was 208 to 206 in support of the mandates and spending plan.

Rep. Constance A. Morella (R-Md.) was one of eight Republicans who joined the Democrats in opposing the measure. Other Washington area lawmakers voted with their respective parties.

Among other things, the so-called social riders attached to the bill would prohibit the city from legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes and from supplying free, clean needles to drug addicts.

One measure would stop spending of city money on most abortions. Another rider would ban city spending on health benefits for unmarried domestic partners. The legislation also would allow Bell Atlantic Mobile to build two cellular telephone towers in Rock Creek Park.

Clinton administration officials said last night that if the legislation, which could be considered by the Senate as early as next week, comes to the president with the riders attached, Clinton will be advised to veto it.

"This bill contains numerous provisions that would essentially trample on the ability of the District of Columbia to conduct its business in a way consistent with home rule. Therefore, we oppose it," said Linda Ricci, spokeswoman for the White House budget office.

See
Even The Prohibitionist Wall Street Journal Notes The Irony
Of Clinton’s Alliance With Barr Against Medical Marijuana In D.C.

"Where do you draw the line?" Istook asked. "If you say it's okay for D.C. to legalize marijuana, then what's next? Legalizing cocaine? Or heroin? Or perhaps rape and murder?"

(Marijuananews note: Never mind that the bill does not "legalize marijuana" -- it is appalling that Istook does not know the difference between a sick person using medical marijuana and someone committing rape. The difference is very simple. In Oklahoma, medical marijuana users are more harshly punished than rapists! Now talk to us about "sending the wrong message to children.")
See
A Reader Asks His Congressman About Will Foster
Who Will Be In Prison Four Times Longer Than Rapists
The Local Media Doesn’t Care -- What One Person Can Do

Moran and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said the sole issue was whether the District would be able to decide how to spend its money.

(Marijuananews note: So long as no one is willing to confront the substantive issues regarding medical marijuana and the rights of individuals, then the Republicans can escape addressing the real issues that affect the whole country, not just DC.)

"We would not impose these kind of restrictions on any of our local governments that are being imposed on the District of Columbia," Moran said.

Norton added, "The District should not be asked to grovel to get its own money."

The vote was difficult for Democratic lawmakers torn between supporting many of the provisions in the spending plan and defending the District's right to govern itself. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) asked his Democratic colleagues to put aside the congressionally imposed mandates and consider the bill's benefits.

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