1.   Barksdale said he hopes the bill has a chance to make some progress this year, if only to prod the administration to loosen encryption export controls.

2.   A federal judge will decide whether revised Clinton administration rules shifting regulation of encryption software exports to the Commerce Department from the State Department are unconstitutional.

3.   A spokesman for the U.S. Commerce Department, which regulates encryption exports, did not return calls seeking comment.

4.   Computer software companies such as Microsoft Corp. and Internet companies such as Netscape Communications Corp. also oppose government restrictions on encryption exports.

5.   RSA Data Security Inc., a leading encryption software company, has frequently denounced US limits on encryption software exports.

6.   She can reverse her earlier rulings and decide that the government can control encryption exports on national security grounds.

7.   Washington observers cited a number of factors coming together to explain why the White House has now changed its tune on encryption exports.