41.   An abrupt break in talks between the White House and Congress aimed at balancing the federal budget undermined confidence that interest rates will fall.

42.   And as if to rub salt in these wounds, most in the industry expect the tax will return when a federal budget is passed.

43.   An election night poll showed that nearly half the voters believed that either welfare or foreign aid was the largest item in the federal budget.

44.   And at a time of severe federal budget constraints, Republican and Democratic lawmakers both have seized on spectrum auctions as a means to raise cash.

45.   An amendment to require a balanced federal budget was defeated in the Senate, and one to impose term limits on Congress died in the House.

46.   An early rally was fueled by progress made by President Clinton and Congress toward an agreement to balance the federal budget.

47.   And he charged that the president was preventing a final federal budget agreement because of election-year politics.

48.   An increase in savings and the lower federal budget deficit contributed to growth last year, he said.

49.   And as Congress looks to balance the federal budget, there is great pressure on Gingrich to find ways to finance the purchase from other assets the government owns.

50.   Analysts said they were concerned that a Democrat-controlled House or Senate would be less committed to trimming the federal budget deficit and holding down entitlement spending.