1.   A balanced budget amendment is often offered as a solution.

2.   Barney Frank, D-Mass., offered two amendments to gut the bill.

3.   Democrats accused him of denying them the ability to offer amendments.

4.   An amendment offered by Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Riverside, passed the House Resources Committee late Thursday.

5.   An angry Senate Majority Leader offered an amendment that would allow meat inspection regulations to proceed in the event of emergencies such as health or safety threats.

6.   And neither group will be allowed to offer an amendment on the floor Wednesday.

7.   And in the Senate, Republicans are going to offer an amendment to restore the voucher provisions.

8.   Ashcroft offered an amendment to require parental consent for youths to obtain such weapons.

9.   Before the vote, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, D-N.Y.,, offered an amendment to preserve the minority tax break.

10.   Bishops can offer amendments from the floor, and the bishops expect to vote on the amendments and the final document on Friday.