21.   But the GOP bill crafted by Rep. Amo Houghton, R-N.Y., goes too far, said Doggett and his Democratic colleagues.

22.   He said lawmakers did listen to Con Ed when crafting the bill.

23.   Republicans crafted a bill that included unions, trade associations and a host of traditional nonprofits.

24.   That group had halted its work while the closed-door talks continued to try to craft a bill that would avert a veto by President Clinton.

25.   The GOP bill was crafted by Rep. Amo Houghton, R-N.Y., who could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

26.   The House bill was crafted by Republican Rep. Douglas Bereuter, chairman of the International Relations subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

27.   With this Congress in its final days, supporters of the safety legislation were working against the clock to craft a bill that could gain quick passage.