LEXIS-NEXIS® Academic Universe-Document

LEXIS-NEXIS® Academic

September 7, 1999, Tuesday, FINAL EDITION

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 9A

LENGTH: 660 words

HEADLINE: Congress returns, ripe for conflict Compromise possible, but won't be easy, as 2000 nears

BYLINE: Kathy Kiely

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

BODY:
<A NAME="DDE_LINK1

Major issues await returning Congress

Issue

Outlook

Taxes: Republicans passed a $ 792 billion, 10-year tax cut
in August and will send it to the White House this month. Clinton
has vowed to veto the bill as excessive and has said he would
support only about $ 300 billion in targeted tax cuts. Uncertain:
After Clinton vetoes the GOP bill, it's unclear whether a
tax compromise --possibly including Medicare prescription benefits
-- will emerge or whether both parties will decide to fight out
the issue in the 2000 election.

Spending: Congress has 11 spending bills to finish by Oct.
1. Conservative Republicans want to honor 1997 spending caps,
even if it means slashing scores of popular domestic programs.
Democrats are looking for ways to exceed the caps without being
accused of spending the budget surplus or raiding Social Security.
Uncertain: The White House and Republican congressional
leaders could try to finesse the budget caps. One possibility:
a resolution that would continue spending at current levels until
next year, when new surplus projections might provide more flexibility.
Another: Declaring enough "emergencies" to allow government
programs to continue without officially breaking the caps.

Gun control: The April 20 massacre at Columbine High School
in Littleton, Colo., prompted a push for more restrictions on
the sale and ownership of firearms. A House-Senate conference
committee is considering measures that would ban the import of
high-capacity gun clips; require trigger locks on handguns; and
subject all sales at gun shows to the same background checks required
at gun stores. Uncertain: Polls show strong support for
new gun control measures. Gun control advocates say they won't
accept any bill that doesn't give law enforcement officials the
option to take a full three days to complete background checks
on gun show purchases. But gun control opponents appear to have
the votes to block such a measure.

Campaign finance reform: The House has scheduled a debate
for the week of Sept. 13 on legislation aimed at banning "soft
money" -- unlimited, unregulated contributions to political parties
from wealthy special interests. Senate leaders have promised to
follow suit no later than Oct. 12. Doubtful: The legislation
probably has majority support in both chambers. But opponents
of campaign finance reform control the parliamentary levers in
both chambers and are expected to use them adroitly to sabotage
the legislation or delay it to death.

Minimum wage: President Clinton proposed raising it by
$ 1 over the next two years to $ 6.15 an hour. Possible:Democrats on both sides of the Capitol intend to push a minimum
wage increase this fall. Republicans might be willing to go along
in exchange for sweeteners that would help small business.

Managed-care reform: The Senate approved a Republican-backed
bill in July that would extend limited protections to 48 million
Americans in HMOs offered by large employers, legislation the
Clinton administration has denounced as a "fraud." GOP House
leaders are trying to come up with a compromise bill. Doubtful:Senate Republican leaders are opposed to any legislation that
would give patients new rights to sue their HMOs. Even if House
Republicans agree on a compromise, most insiders give it little
chance of emerging from a House-Senate conference committee.

Bankruptcy reform: The House approved legislation in May
to make it more difficult for consumers and small businesses to
file for bankruptcy protection. The Senate is expected to act
on similar legislation early this fall. Uncertain: The
creditors' lobby is pushing hard to get the bankruptcy reform
bill enacted this fall. Consumer groups and the Clinton administration
say the legislation is tilted too heavily in favor of credit card
companies and other lenders.

Compiled by Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY

GRAPHIC: PHOTO, B/W, Tim Sloan, AFP; In Norfolk, Va.: President Clinton visits a school Monday. With him: Virginia Democrats Sen. Charles Robb, left, and Rep. Robert Scott

LOAD-DATE: September 07, 1999