
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 17, 1993                   TAG: 9306170169
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

SENATE BREAKS CAMPAIGN-FUND DEADLOCK

The Senate broke a Republican filibuster Wednesday and virtually assured approval of public funding for some congressional campaigns and voluntary spending limits designed to curb the influence of special-interest money.

The bill would ban contributions by political action committees, the campaign war chests operated by corporations, labor unions and a wide array of issue groups.

Democratic Leader George J. Mitchell said the Senate would vote today on the measure, which even opponents now acknowledged would pass. Once through the Senate, the measure will go to the House.

The breakthrough was a victory for Democrats, who crafted a compromise with the help of seven moderate Republicans. It also was a triumph for President Clinton, who has been urging the Senate to pass the bill.

Clinton called the end of the filibuster - on a 62-37 vote to end debate - "a breakthrough in the fight to give the government back to the American people."

Virginia Sen. Charles Robb, a Democrat, voted to break the deadlock; Republican Sen. John Warner voted against it. - Associated Press

by CNB