21.   But he has been as prickly about his prerogatives as any Senate majority leader in years, frequently using parliamentary devices to block Democrats from offering amendments.

22.   But most activity Friday took place behind closed doors, with groups trying to determine their positions and senators trying to figure out what amendments to offer.

23.   But Republicans suggested that the Democratic effort to cut off debate on the measure was aimed primarily at preventing them from offering amendments.

24.   But several senators are expected to offer amendments that would lay out specific conditions governing any commitment of forces.

25.   But Solomon never offered the amendment, saying Gingrich had promised to save the line-item veto himself.

26.   ButFeinstein accused her GOP rival of showing no leadership, noting that he offered no amendments to revise federal spending in line with his conservative views.

27.   Care had hoped to offer an amendment to open the prospect of online gaming to any entity in the state with an unrestricted gambling license.

28.   Conservatives brought the House to a grinding halt by offering endless amendments to an agriculture bill.

29.   Conservatives on Wednesday slowed down the first spending bill of the year for agriculture by offering amendment after amendment in a floor protest.

30.   Daschle warned that the issue had to be resolved so Democrats again could offer amendments to the pending legislation.