House allows display of religious symbols

      WASHINGTON -- The House last week voted to allow the display of the Ten Commandments in government buildings.
      Lawmakers voted 295-125 for a resolution backing the public display of the Ten Commandments and other religious symbols. The resolution was only an advisory one and carries no force of law.
      The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. Aderholt sought to help an Alabama county judge who has been ordered to remove a wooden carving of the Ten Commandments he displayed in his courtroom. The dispute is being fought in state courts.
      Backers of the resolution noted the nation's founding fathers relied on the Bible for guidance, and the free use of religious symbols should be tolerated.
      Critics said the public display of the religious carving violates the constitutional separation of church and state. They added Congress shouldn't insert itself in a case being weighed by a state court.
      Reps. John Ensign and Jim Gibbons, both R-Nev., voted for the resolution.
     No budget amendment
      For the third time, the Senate defeated a proposed constitutional amendment requiring the government to balance its budget each year.
      Senators voted 66-34 for the amendment, but 67 votes are needed to initiate changes in the U.S. Constitution.
      The amendment would have required a three-fifths vote by Congress, rather than a simple majority, for lawmakers to pass a budget containing deficit spending.
      Supporters said Congress lacks the discipline to balance the federal budget. Critics said the proposed amendment was too inflexible, and would make it difficult for the government to adjust its spending in times of recession or other emergency. They also said it might threaten spending for Social Security and other social programs that make up the biggest part of the budget.
      Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., voted for the amendment. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted against it.
     Trade negotiations
      The Senate confirmed Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky but only after killing a proposal that would dilute White House authority to negotiate trade agreements.
      Sens. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., and Jesse Helms, R-N.C., proposed an amendment that would require Congress to approve any trade deals that involve changes in U.S. law. They charged U.S. negotiators "gave away the store" in recent international agreements involving textiles and telecommunications.
      Opponents said the amendment would hurt the president's ability to negotiate with U.S. trading partners. They also complained it would further stall confirmation of Barshefsky as top U.S. negotiator.
      The Hollings-Helms amendment was killed, 84-16. Reid and Bryant voted to kill the amendment.