51.   BASF and Bayer have been lobbying the German government for permission to offer share repurchase schemes and legislation is likely to be introduced later this year.

52.   Because the legislation is likely to include concessions to the industry, Democrats believe HMO-regulation will keep fueling their campaigns.

53.   Biochip companies are working on encryption technology to keep such data private, but most industry executives believe that legislation will be necessary to prevent abuses.

54.   Boxer said that if such legislation had been in place, Enron employees and retirees might be in better shape today.

55.   Boehlert still says legislation this year is possible.

56.   A compromise could conceivably be worked out, but strong gun control legislation is unlikely because the House bill has no such provision.

57.   Additionally, this legislation is unnecessary.

58.   All it means is that much labor legislation is a matter for individual states, applying rules that are appropriate to their particular conditions.

59.   Agriculture spending legislation is on the House floor, and talk of drastic revisions to farm programs is in the air.

60.   Brooks said free-standing legislation is unlikely to pass this year.