House Clears Budget Bill

WASHINGTON — The House last night approved the $500 billion funding package that will keep the federal government going until next October. Now it's the Senate's turn.

Lawmakers and special interests are still poring through the 4,000 pages of language largely written by congressional staffers to dig out the fine details of the deal. It may be days before all the implications are fully understood.

At last report, language moving the Office of Motor Carriers to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is out, and funding for a study of ergonomics is in. Customs is expected to get money to install more X-ray machines and other technology at international border ports of entry to inspect tractor-trailers and their cargo.

Reporters should get a chance to ask Rep. Frank Wolf why he has invested so effort in his struggle to transfer OMC to a new parent agency. The Virginia

Republican, who heads the House subcommittee on transportation appropriations, has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon.

The House voted 333-95 for the omnibus package, which has the Clinton administration's stamp on it. Later today, the Senate will take up the massive bill, which Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) is calling "a monstrosity . . . a Frankenstein creature."