31.   Despite that success, Congress reacted to the episode by enacting the independent counsel law four years later, the attorney general said.

32.   Edwards said in his ruling that those who challenged the appointment had misread the independent counsel law.

33.   Espy would not discuss his legal costs from the four-year struggle, which are not reimbursable under the independent counsel law.

34.   Espy said he wants to be one of the first witnesses when Congress takes up the issue of renewing the independent counsel law, probably in February.

35.   Fiske had been appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno in January, when the independent counsel law had lapsed.

36.   For months, politicians of both parties have been publicly counting nails in the coffin of the independent counsel law.

37.   Hatch and Reno argued over whether the independent counsel law covered both the perception of conflict of interest as well as actual conflict of interest.

38.   He did not say whether he would recommend such action, which could become moot if the independent counsel law expires.

39.   He might have decided to shut down the Starr Chamber before the independent counsel law expires at the end of June.

40.   He is mistaken to undermine faith in the independent counsel law.