21.   Senate passage is far from certain.

22.   Senate passage is nearly assured.

23.   Senate passage of the Republican-written plan is expected on Thursday.

24.   Senate passage was expected and Energy Department officials have said President Clinton will sign it.

25.   Senate passage was expected early next week.

26.   Senate passage was expected later.

27.   Senate passage was expected.

28.   Senate passage had been widely expected because Berlusconi has much less support in the upper chamber than in the lower one.