Bob Levey Todd Cross/TWP

Tuesday, April 7, 1998

Good afternoon and welcome to Levey Live. I’m your host, Washington Post columnist Bob Levey.

"Levey Live" appears each Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m Eastern time. It’s your chance to talk directly to major newsmakers and key Washington Post reporters and editors.

Rep. Constance Morella

Our guest today is Rep. Connie Morella, the Republican who represents Maryland’s 8th District in Montgomery County. Morella is finishing her sixth term in Congress. She has concentrated on issues affecting older Americans, the District of Columbia, federal employees and the environment. She is former co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues.

Morella served for eight years in the Maryland House of Delegates before being elected to Congress. She spent 15 years as an English professor at Montgomery College.

Your questions and comments for Morella are welcome throughout the hour.

Washington, D.C.: Would you support returning D.C. to Maryland so D.C. residents get to vote in federal elections? Failing a solution like that, D.C. residents face taxation without representation, n'est-ce pas?

Jim

Connie Morella: I favor a voting representation for the District of Columbia, and I voted in favor of that when I was in the Maryland legislature. I am optimistic that the District of Columbia will begin its rise as a lustrous capital city. As vice-chair of the D.C. subcomittee, I have supported legislation to revitilize the District of Columbia. It is beginning to work.

Bowie, Md.: What is the status of the 1999 federal pay raise? The president has proposed 3.1 percent but members of Congress have worked for a real cost-of-living increase.

Connie Morella: As you may know, I am a sponsor of legislation to move us to fulfill the federal employees pay comparability act, which I voted for in 1990. This legislation would give an honest increase to federal employees and we will work to have it incorporated in the appropriations bill. I've got my fingers crossed.

Bob Levey: The federal government can't seem to make up its mind about the future of Glen Echo Park. What would you like to see happen there?

Connie Morella: Glen Echo Park is a federal treasure and it should be preserved. As part of a national trust, we must protect the historic tower, the carousel, the Spanish ballroom, the adventure theater, the puppet theater. ... A committee is working to assure this preservation. I am part of this committee and hope that we will forge a public-private partnership. Stay tuned and continue to enjoy the park.

Chevy Chase, Md.: 1. Do you regret endorsing the "Contract with America" in the 1994 campaign?

2. Do you think that your likely vote to organize the House of Representatives with Republicans, i.e., voting for Newt Gingrich for speaker, is a fair basis on which to decide whether to vote for or against you?

Connie Morella: The House of Representatives should be able to vote on many issues that had been kept cloistered in committees and the "Contract with America" allowed those votes. Sixty-five percent of those issues were signed into law by the president. I voted for 65 percent of those issues.

All members of Congress should be selected by the people on the basis of their record, which includes achievements and constituent service. I trust the people of Montgomery County, Md.

Bob Levey: You recently gave the Republican response to the president's weekly radio address, and you spent most of the time discussing the "Year 2000" computer glitch. Is that really one of the most serious problems facing the country?

Connie Morella: The "Year 2000" computer glitch is one of the most critical problems facing our nation because the time limit is unrelenting. Uncorrected, vital services such as telecommunications, financial transactions and medical records will "lose" 100 years. Even conveniences such as elevators and security systems will not operate. I was pleased that the president finally appointed a "Year 2000 Czar," and I am working closely with him.

Alexandria, Va.: What was your position on renaming National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport?

Connie Morella: I felt the decision to rename National Airport should have resided with the Washington Metropolitan [Airports] Authority, especially because local control of the airports was given to the authority by Congress and signed by President Reagan.

Rockville, Md.: Since you and other moderates are so maligned by the conservative wing of your party, why don't you just switch to the Democratic party?

Connie Morella: Now more than ever, moderates are important to America's agenda.

Bob Levey: Let's look back two years to the closing of the federal government, an effort that was led by your party. Was it a major public relations nightmare, as so many think? Will it ever happen again?

Connie Morella: Both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue shared the responsibility. I vehemently opposed it then, and I'd fight to make sure it doesn't happen again.

New York, N.Y.: Over the past several months, Bill Clinton has been saddled with numerous scandals. Has the Republican leadership missed the boat in advancing the Republican agenda? Why hasn't the leadership pressed legislation during this time?

Connie Morella: Congress has been working on appropriations bills, health care legislation, a major highway bill, major credit union reforms, reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and the Older Americans Act, as well as other issues. I conclude Congress has addressed the American agenda.

Bob Levey: Half an hour remaining with our guest, Maryland congresswoman Connie Morella.

Bethesda, Md.: In the past, you have spoken out on women's issues around the world. Currently, low- and middle-income working women in the U.S. must spend almost half their income in child care. What bills have you endorsed to improve this situation for low- and middle-income women?

Connie Morella: I'm glad you asked. I've sponsored the Dependent Care Tax Credit, which is refundable; ... child care grants to states; the CAMPUS Bill to offer child care grants to colleges with low- and middle-income women to allow them to attend college and render child care for their children. Child care has always been a high priority for me.

Bob Levey: You've always been a very unusual politician. You have been elected six times in a district whose registration is 3-2 Democratic. You've been supported by public employee unions even though the AFL-CIO seldom supports Republicans. You run just as strongly in younger and poorer parts of Montgomery County as you do in Chevy Chase and Potomac. What's your secret? Wheaties?

Connie Morella: My secret is having an intelligent, open-minded, wonderful constituency [that] looks to achievements and promises, instead of party labels or rhetoric. I am lucky. The harder I work, the luckier I get.

Manassas, Va.: President Clinton is receiving a lot of credit for the nation's current economic well-being. Do you feel that this credit is justified, or is the 1990s economic situation a result of Reagan's 1980s actions?

Connie Morella: Everyone wants to take credit for our robust economy. There is no doubt that a balanced budget from Congress has helped, as well as initiatives helping small businesses and expanding educational opportunities. So I say we all win, but we can't take anything for granted. We must continue on this course.

Rockville, Md.: How can we get the other Congress members and senators to pass a U.S. constitutional amendment for the victims of violent crime? Marylanders overwhelming (92.5 percent) passed a similar amendment to the state Constitution in 1994!

Connie Morella: Emphasize that their constituents want such an amendment. Victims deserve rights and privileges.

Bob Levey: What's the status of the bill that would allow federal employees to invest $10,000 a year in a savings plan?

Connie Morella: My legislation to increase savings in the federal thrift savings plan to the maximum allowed by the IRS for 401k plans will be part of a civil service reform package. I hope it will get through both houses and be signed into law.

Bethesda, Md. Congresswoman Morella:
With April 15 just around the corner, do you support any changes in the IRS to make tax laws less complicated and to insure that the rich pay their fair share? All the best. Liz

Connie Morella: Thanks Liz, I voted for IRS reform last year. The bill is pending in the Senate. You have, however, hit on the right note. That is, the need to simplify. There are currently committee hearings and I hope there will be legislation before next April 15. Good luck on the Ides of April.

Bethesda, Md.: There are a number of members of the leadership and Republican chairmen who do not believe in the policies and ideas I think are right for America. The easiest way to move them out of these positions of power is for the Democrats to regain control of the House. While your views are similar to my own, voting for you means voting for all of them as well. How can you expect me to do that?

Connie Morella: More than ever, as a member of the majority party, my voice is stronger for the vision and ideas that we share. Therefore, your voice is stronger.

Bob Levey: Campaign finance reform always draws more than 80 percent support in the polls, but Capitol Hill seems utterly incapable of making any headway on this issue. Why? Will it ever change?

Connie Morella: I hope Americans contact their members and demand campaign finance reform . I am a co-sponsor of the major legislation named Shays-Meehan and I have signed the "discharge petition" to have it brought to the House floor. Tell your member to do likewise and we'll see results.

Washington, D.C.: If the Republicans look into impeachment hearings, do you think the House will be lost in the next election?

Connie Morella: Congress and the American people are anxiously awaiting Mr. [Kenneth] Starr's decision whether to seek an indictment or to transmit his findings to the Judiciary Committee. I don't think there will be an impeachment.

Bethesda, Md.: What is your position on eliminating the "marriage penalty?"

Connie Morella: I am a cosponsor of legislation to eliminate the marriage penalty.

Silver Spring, Md.: Do you personally approve of President Clinton's executive order that bans importing "assault guns?" And, specifically, how could this have prevented the tragedy that happened in Arkansas?

Connie Morella: I do agree with the president's decision to ban the importation of assault weapons. Such weapons are not appropriate for sportspeople.

Gaithersburg, Md.: With the increasing support of moderate congressional Democrats, Republicans, the American people, and even the President, would you support a proposal to reform Social Security that allowed Americans to invest more of their retirement money on their own?

Connie Morella: I think it is important to strengthen our Social Security system, to restore confidence in it and to enhance savings. This will be a topic of thoughtful deliberation and discussion.

Bob Levey: If you win reelection in November, you will be nearly 70 years old by the end of that term, which would be your seventh. Any plans to retire in 2000?

Connie Morella: My role model is Sen. [Strom] Thurmond. Enough said.

Bob Levey: That's it for today. Be sure to join us next Tuesday, April 14, when our guest will be Gen. Julius Becton, superintendent of schools in the District of Columbia.