1.   He has come under criticism for presiding over a rise in liability settlements.

2.   Legislators will also consider a number of other possible market-moving issues, including a potential national tobacco liability settlement.

3.   Philip Morris Cos. announced strong first-quarter earnings Wednesday, following the news that it and RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. were negotiating a tobacco liability settlement.

4.   Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott recused himself from congressional review of the proposed tobacco liability settlement.

5.   The agreement marks the first tobacco liability settlement in U.S. history, and steps up the pressure on companies still fighting suits.

6.   The market drew strength at the opening Wednesday by reports that several large tobacco companies are negotiating a liability settlement with state regulators.

7.   The President is attempting to hammer out national legislation around a tobacco liability settlement.

8.   Tobacco prices have been pushed up by the cost of expensive liability settlements.