The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Published Monday, July 21, 2003

Delegation's votes fit the pattern
The Herald

The Associated Press compiled campaign contributions by certain interest groups to members of congress and members' votes on key issues.

The AP found a connection between the amount of money contributed to members of the House of Representatives and their votes.

In the case of the local delegation, Reps. Phil English, Erie, R-3rd District, Melissa Hart, Bradford Woods, R-4th District, and Tim Ryan, Niles, D-17th District, that connection was borne out for the most part.

On the medical malpractice vote, Ms. Hart, who received three times as much money from trial lawyers as health care professionals, voted for limits on damages opposed by lawyers.

On the class action lawsuit bill, both English and Ryan voted against the interests of business groups, which gave both lawmakers more money than the bill's supporters.

On the overtime pay vote, Ryan voted against the wishes of big business, even though he raised twice as much from business interests than he did from unions.

Money & politics: How did local delegation do?

How Reps. Phil English, Erie, R-3rd District, Melissa Hart, Bradford Woods, R-4th District, and Tim Ryan, Niles, D-17th District, voted on key bills and the contributions they received from interest groups:

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

Supported by doctors and opposed by trial lawyers, to limit noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering) for patients injured by medical malpractice. The bill (HR 5) passed.

English, Y -- $92,944 from health care professionals; $53,010 from lawyers.

Hart, Y -- $22,900 from health care professionals; $68,217 from lawyers.

Ryan -- N, $7,250 from health care professionals; $29,080 from lawyers.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS

Backed by businesses and opposed by trial lawyers, to shift class-action lawsuits to more restrictive federal courts. The bill (HR 1115) passed.

English, N: $53,010 from lawyers; $727,000 from business interests.

Hart, Y: $68,217 from lawyers; $795,483 from business interests.

Ryan, N: $29,080 from lawyers; $384,033 from business interests.

ENERGY BILL

Favored by oil and gas interests and opposed by environmental groups, which includes a provision allowing oil companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The bill (HR 6) passed.

English, Y: $20,000 from oil and gas interests; $0 from environmental groups.

Hart, Y: $19,850 from oil and gas interests; $0 from environmental groups.

Ryan, N: $500 from oil and gas interests; $4,882 from environmental groups.

GUN MANUFACTURER
LIABILITY

Supported by gun owners' rights groups and opposed by gun control advocates, banning lawsuits against gun makers and distributors for damages resulting from use of the weapons. The bill (HR 1036) passed.

English, Y: $2,250 from gun owners' rights groups; $0 from gun control groups.

Hart, Y: $5,000 from gun owners' rights groups; $0 from gun control groups.

Ryan, Y: $5,950 from gun owners' rights groups; $0 from gun control groups.

BANKRUPTCY

Backed by the credit and finance industries, making it harder for consumers to erase debts in bankruptcy court. The bill (HR 975) passed.

English, Y: $2,500 from credit card and finance industries.

Hart, Y: $9,000 from credit card and finance industries.

Ryan, N: $0 from credit card and finance industries.

OVERTIME PAY

An appropriations bill including a provision blocking a Bush administration move to change some workers' eligibility for overtime pay, a move supported by business groups and opposed by unions. The bill (HR 2660) failed.

English, N: $65,000 from unions; $727,000 from business interests.

Hart, N: $45,750 from unions; $795,483 from business interests.

Ryan, Y: $182,250 from unions; $384,033 from business interests.

Source: The Associated Press

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