Copyright 2000 Star Tribune
Star Tribune
(Minneapolis, MN)
October 20, 2000, Friday, Metro Edition
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 12A
LENGTH: 757 words
HEADLINE:
Wellstone could lose battle but win war on bankruptcy bill
BYLINE: Rob Hotakainen; Staff Writer
DATELINE: Washington, D.C.
BODY:
As the Senate headed for a showdown Thursday
over a proposed bankruptcy bill, it appeared that Sen. Paul Wellstone was ready
to lose another battle.
But this
time, there could be a big difference for the Minnesota Democrat: By the time
Congress adjourns, he could end up winning the war.
Two years ago, Wellstone was the
only senator to vote against a bill that would make it harder for consumers to
walk away from their debts, but now he has a powerful ally: President Clinton.
Wellstone used parliamentary tactics
to stall the bill earlier this year, but Republican leaders now are signaling
their intent to push it through in the waning days of the 106th Congress.
But even if it passes the Senate, Congress
could leave town for the year before getting a chance to override a veto by
Clinton. "That very well may be the case,"
said John Czwartacki, press secretary to Senate Majority Trent Lott.
As Lott announced plans Thursday to
bring up the bill next week, Wellstone made plans of his own to launch a
filibuster. Even though many members are anxious to get home to hit the campaign
trail, Wellstone made clear that he's in no hurry to hear the final gavel.
"We are prepared to use every single
privilege that we have as United States senators to fight this tooth and nail,
and next week there will be a long, spirited discussion about this piece of
legislation," he told his colleagues on the Senate floor.
At a news conference earlier in the
day, Wellstone said the Republican bill would reward irresponsible lenders and
hurt poor families. He called the bill "anti-consumer, anti-women, anti-children
and anti-working people."
Standing
outside the Capitol with Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer,
D-Calif., by his side, Wellstone said: "It is a blatant injustice."
Boxer called the bill "financial
violence" against women and said that credit-card companies should be more
careful in their lending practices. In some cases, she said, credit-card
applications have even been set to
dogs. "This bill is a turkey, and it's not
even Thanksgiving," said Boxer.
.
The Republican defense
Faced with a flurry of attacks, GOP supporters
defended the bill.
Sen. Jeff
Sessions, R-Ala., said the bill has backing from a veto-proof majority in the
Senate, and he accused opponents of leading an effort "to yell and scream." He
said too many Americans are using bankruptcy laws to walk away from their debts,
citing an "incredible increase" in bankruptcy filings.
The bill, which passed the House
last week, faces a certain veto by Clinton, according to John Podesta, his chief
of staff. Clinton's objections include a provision that would allow debtors to
shield their homes from bankruptcy proceedings.
"Unlimited homestead exemptions
allow debtors who own lavish homes to shield their mansions from their
creditors, while moderate-income debtors, especially those who rent, must live
frugally under a rigid repayment plan for five to seven years," Podesta said in
a letter to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.
Wellstone was not yet ready to claim
victory, but he could see the writing on the wall.
"The truth of the matter is that, if
we adjourn, then it would be a pocket veto anyway, so that'd be fine," he said
in an interview.
But Czwartacki
expressed hope that Clinton will not carry through with his veto threat.
"This reform has been a long time
coming," he said. ". . . The president and some people want to stop it _ that's
going to be their choice, but I guess the American people will know that."
As the bill heads for a final vote
in the Senate next week, it is getting snagged in abortion
politics. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.,
is upset that his amendment was not included in the final version of the bill.
Schumer said he wants to prevent those who engage in violence at
abortion clinics from filing for bankruptcy as
a way of avoiding financial penalties.
He cited a case in which 12
defendants were ordered to pay damages of more than $109
million but who "still have not paid a dime" because they filed bankruptcy.
Schumer said that those who try to harm women and their doctors would not be
allowed to use bankruptcy to "escape from accountability for their heinous
acts."
Clinton is siding with
Schumer, calling it an abusive use of the nation's bankruptcy laws.
.
Rob Hotakainen can be reached at
rhotakainen@mcclatchydc.com
LOAD-DATE: October
20, 2000 
