41.   Government proposals to close the weakest banks and inject public money into the others have run into stiff opposition.

42.   He added that he was prepared to withdraw his plan to impose a heavier tax burden on hospitals, a measure that had met stiff opposition in the legislature.

43.   He faces stiff opposition from farm-state lawmakers who say export subsidies are needed to keep American agricultural exports competitive with other countries.

44.   He was an early supporter last year of the treaty to ban the use and production of poison gas, despite stiff opposition from rightist groups.

45.   He said that granting liability relief for well-intentioned data sharing has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, but could face stiff opposition from the product liability bar.

46.   His proposals are expected to meet stiff political opposition from conservation groups.

47.   However, each of the gun-control initiatives is expected to face stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled Congress.

48.   However, proposals to expose Social Security funds to risk face stiff opposition from retiree groups, labor unions and, most importantly, President Bill Clinton.

49.   However, the bill faces stiff opposition from cybergambling interests, American Indians, civil libertarians and conservative groups.

50.   If the bill clears the Senate, it faces stiff opposition in the House, which also could make substantial changes.