District of Columbia: On September 6, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the District of Columbia easily approved, by voice vote, its FY2002 appropriations bill. A lengthy debate was avoided on several contentious policy-related issues; however, members are expected to offer amendments on those issues during the September 12 full committee mark-up.
The bill maintains current law with respect to the prohibition on the use of local and federal funds for abortion coverage for low-income women on Medicaid, health benefits for domestic partners of D.C. employees, implementation of a voter referendum approving the medical use of marijuana, and needle exchange programs. Exceptions for abortion coverage are made in the cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.
Military Construction: The same day, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction approved its FY2002 appropriations bill by voice vote. Under the bill, $43 million would be provided for child care centers, a $17.5 million increase over FY2001. The full committee is scheduled to mark up the bill on September 12.
