CONGRESS WATERS DOWN DRUNKEN-DRIVING RULE

WASHINGTON---Congressional negotiators say they rejected a tough new
national standard for drunken driving to reach agreement on a $200
billion transportation bill, a move that was immediately denounced by
highway safety groups as a capitulation to the liquor lobby.

Congressional leaders had expressed concern that a protracted battle
over the issue would stall passage of the overall bill, which Congress
is rushing to complete this week, and delay essential road, bridge and
mass transit programs around the country.

The transportation bill represents one of the largest public works
plans in history, calling for spending $167 billion over the next six
years on highway projects and about $33 billion on mass transit
programs. Negotiators for the House and Senate must still work out the
complex formulas that will dictate how the transportation funds will
be allocated among states.

The announcement Monday on the drunken driving measure marked the
culmination of weeks of intense lobbying pitting such groups as
Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Clinton administration against
restaurant owners and beer wholesalers, in what one congressional
official called "deep emotions versus deep pockets."

The negotiators rejected a Senate plan to withhold highway funds for
states that did not enact the new standard in favor of a House version that
would provide more money for those that do. (NYT)

Checked-by: trikydik@inil.com (trikydik)