11.   But the scientific associations said the amendment would have a chilling effect on the open exchange of information and the progress of scientific research and development.

12.   First, the amendment has the peculiar property of imposing a broad and undifferentiated disability on a single named group.

13.   If adopted by Congress, the amendment would have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states before it could take effect.

14.   If it passed, the amendment would have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states before becoming part of the Constitution.

15.   If approved by the Legislature, the amendment would have to be approved by voters in a statewide referendum this November.

16.   It is not clear that the amendment has sufficient support to pass either house.

17.   Most lawmakers believe that the amendment would have no impact at all on free-speech rights.

18.   Republicans repeatedly Thursday portrayed as bipartisan the efforts to change those rules, pointing to the fact that each amendment had a Democratic sponsor.

19.   Still, the amendment has to be approved by the Senate before the government can start to implement spending cuts.

20.   That amendment has the effect of eliminating the exemption from infringement liability for farmers who sell PVPAprotected seed to other farmers for reproductive purposes.