Escalating election-year pressure on Congress,President Clinton on Friday
said he would consider keeping lawmakers in session until they pass a
tobacco bill.

"I don't think they should leave without resolving the tobacco thing,"
Clinton told reporters, noting that the congressional session this year is
extremely short.

"You can't justify taking another whole year to deal with this. The issues
are somewhat complicated. But they're not that difficult, and they ought to
be dealt with this year," Clinton said.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott characterized the comment as "not
helpful" and "counter-productive." Lott, a Mississippi Republican, said,
"Every time he takes a shot like that, it tells me he doesn't want the
solution, he wants the politics."