REMEMBER CLINTON'S FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM ?
Yahoo! News Message Boards World News: "WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton urged Congress Tuesday to act swiftly in developing anti-terrorism legislation before its August recess. (1.6 MB AIFF or WAV sound)
'We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue,' Clinton said during a White House news conference.
But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against the proposed anti-terrorism measures.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. One key GOP senator was more critical, calling a proposed study of chemical markers in explosives 'a phony issue.'
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, 'These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get.'
Hatch called Clinton's proposed study of taggants -- chemical markers in explosives that could help track terrorists -- 'a phony issue.'
'If they want to, they can study the thing' already, Hatch asserted. He also said he had some problems with the president's proposals to expand wiretapping.
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, said it is a mistake if Congress leaves town without addressing anti-terrorism legislation. Daschle is expected to hold a special meeting on the matter Wednesday with Congressional leaders.
The Associated Press contributed to this report."
'We need to keep this country together right now. We need to focus on this terrorism issue,' Clinton said during a White House news conference.
But while the president pushed for quick legislation, Republican lawmakers hardened their stance against the proposed anti-terrorism measures.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, doubted that the Senate would rush to action before they recess this weekend. One key GOP senator was more critical, calling a proposed study of chemical markers in explosives 'a phony issue.'
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emerged from the meeting and said, 'These are very controversial provisions that the White House wants. Some they're not going to get.'
Hatch called Clinton's proposed study of taggants -- chemical markers in explosives that could help track terrorists -- 'a phony issue.'
'If they want to, they can study the thing' already, Hatch asserted. He also said he had some problems with the president's proposals to expand wiretapping.
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, said it is a mistake if Congress leaves town without addressing anti-terrorism legislation. Daschle is expected to hold a special meeting on the matter Wednesday with Congressional leaders.
The Associated Press contributed to this report."
posted by Gary at 8:02 AM
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