31.   But congressional aides said Lay had been looking for an excuse to avoid testifying.

32.   But congressional aides said that support for the pre-emption was precarious.

33.   But congressional aides said the airlines were most worried that they, not the federal government, would be saddled with the bulk of the security responsibilities.

34.   But congressional aides said they do not expect Clinton to veto the bill, which distributes highway funds across the nation.

35.   But Democrats had their own problems, according to several congressional aides.

36.   But Clinton must be cautious about striking out military construction projects, congressional aides warned.

37.   But he will press to apply more stringent requirements than those passed by the House to determine which vehicles receive credits, Democratic congressional aides said.

38.   But congressional aides said that they had never expected Lay would appear and that he was looking for a convenient excuse to miss the hearings.

39.   But congressional aides said they had not received an immediate reply to their request from either him or Clinton.

40.   But Minge said that behind the scenes, especially among congressional aides, the picture is different.