31.   Bush also said he will take aggressive action to ensure that consumers are protected against price gougers.

32.   But backers said it would protect consumers against unsafe care by insurance companies and HMOs and would restore control of patient care to doctors and nurses.

33.   But European government leaders, sensitive to widespread popular suspicion of chemicals, argued that the ban was well within their rights to protect consumers.

34.   But federal officials said the effect on doctors was a secondary concern for them, since the main purpose of the antitrust laws is to protect consumers.

35.   But in recent years, German officials had assured consumers that all was well and no new steps needed to be taken to protect consumers.

36.   But information technology can be used to protect consumers, too.

37.   But Roy Neel, president of the United States Telephone Association, was confident that the newly composed list will curb cramming and protect consumers.

38.   But now it protects consumers from an easier and cheaper way to buy cars.

39.   But the experience of other states reveals that their consumers are better protected, and that the transition need not be so painful.

40.   But the compromise angered critics, who said it fell far short of protecting consumers, and some blamed political pressure for the turnaround.