On July 20, the House Appropriations Committee approved, by voice vote, the FY2001 District of Columbia (D.C.) appropriations spending bill (as-yet-unnumbered). The committee debated a number of policy-related issues.
As approved by the subcommittee, the bill would prohibit D.C. from implementing a recently-passed D.C. Council bill that would require health insurance plans that provide coverage for city employees to cover contraceptives if the plans cover other prescription drugs. Subcommittee Chair Ernest Istook (R-OK) objected to the D.C. Council bill because it did not include a conscience clause, which would allow employers and insurers to opt out of providing coverage if they have a religious objection to the provision of contraceptives.
Rep. James Moran (D-VA) offered an amendment that would have prohibited D.C. from implementing the bill unless it was rewritten to include a conscience clause that would provide for a religious exemption. The amendment was defeated, 19-24.
Instead, the committee adopted an amendment by Rep. Istook that would prohibit D.C. from implementing the bill unless it was rewritten to include a conscience clause that would provide for an exemption based on religious beliefs or moral convictions. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
As in past years, the bill maintains current law with respect to the prohibition on the use of federal and District funds for abortion coverage for low-income women on Medicaid, and the medicinal use of marijuana. Exceptions on abortion coverage would be made in cases of rape, incest, or if the pregnant woman’s life was endangered.
The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs. Rep. Julian Dixon (D-CA) offered an amendment to repeal the prohibition. The amendment was adopted, 28-25; however, several Republicans who supported the amendment stated they were unclear about the amendment’s intent. Rep. Dixon then offered another amendment that was adopted by unanimous consent, which basically restated current law.
The House will consider the measure the week of July 24, making it the final FY2001 appropriations bill to be considered by the House.
