11.   Congress opened debate on a controversial balanced budget amendment to the Constitution on Wednesday, with close votes expected in the Senate and the House later this month.

12.   Debate organizers said opening the debates to long-shot contenders would make it harder for voters to focus on candidates with a realistic chance of victory.

13.   For democracy to function, policies must be exposed to open debate.

14.   He is expected to go to Parliament on Wednesday to open debate on the crisis and seek enough votes for the budget.

15.   He would be pleased that scientific experimentation is subject to free and open debate, assuring a system of checks and balances.

16.   However the effort was eight votes short of the two-thirds majority required to open the debate.

17.   Immediately, though, several speakers challenged Radunski on all three assertions, insisting that the debate be opened anew on the design and location of the monument.

18.   In New York, the Palestinians called on the United Nations and sought the help of the nonaligned nations to open debate on Israeli actions.

19.   In the past Khatami has said he favors open debate on all topics, including relations with the West.

20.   Later the debate is opened to the crowd, and a blond woman who appears almost hysterical with a mixture of nervousness and anger rises.