SENATE VOTED TO RATCHET UP THE WAR ON DRUGS

WASHINGTON (AP) The Republican-controlled Senate voted to ratchet up the war
on drugs and eyed an election-year tax cut Tuesday as President Clinton
worked with Republican and Democratic leaders to break a logjam on a bill to
reduce teen smoking.

"Reports of the death of this legislation are premature," Sen. John McCain,
R-Ariz., declared at the end of a long day during which the bill seemed to
hover between breakdown and breakthrough. Still, McCain cautioned, "We
certainly by no means have total confidence that we will reach a successful
conclusion."

The Senate voted 52-46, along party lines, to adopt the GOP anti-drug
proposal that Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., had said was essential if
the comprehensive tobacco bill were to clear the Senate. The provision,
estimated to cost $18 billion over five years, would increase money for drug
interdiction, restrict federally backed loans for students convicted of drug
possession and ban federal financing of needle exchange programs.

A vote on a tax cut proposal another key Republican demand was expected
Wednesday, and Democrats conceded it was likely to pass. The most recent
version of the proposal would provide relief from the income tax "marriage
penalty" as well as help the self-employed pay for health insurance.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett