March 1, 1999
Web posted at: 6:30 p.m. EST (2330 GMT)

WASHINGTON (March 1) -- The first major post-impeachment issue to hit the Senate floor was supposed to be more of a peace summit than a political battle. It's a Republican education bill supported by both the White House and Congressional Democrats.

"Ed-Flex is the issue before the American people now, in part, because it is a bill that we can pass," said one of its sponsors, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tennessee). "It can take effect within several months and be to the benefit of millions of school children within a year."

Flexibility in education, or "Ed-Flex" as the bill is called, would not cost anything. It's an effort to free schools from federal regulations and red tape. But the modest effort may spark a bruising battle over national education policy.

"Congress has a responsibility to ensure that federal tax dollars are used effectively to help children learn," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Massachusetts). "Just giving states more flexibility will not do the job by itself."

Another Democrat, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, said the bill doesn't go far enough.

"It is a small, tiny baby step," Murray said. "It is bipartisan. We are going to make it a large step, a concrete step for education, by helping it with some amendments."

Led by the White House, Democrats say they will try to tack their major education initiatives on to the Ed-Flex bill, including amendments to hire 100,000 new teachers, expand after-school programs and provide more money for technology. Most Republicans will oppose those amendments, but they don't want to cede the education issue to Democrats.

"It's number one on my agenda and I look forward to working very hard over the next several months and the next several years to improve education in this country," Frist says.

So, when Democrats unleash their amendments, Republicans will respond with their own, including money for special education. It's a bidding war to see who can come across as more "pro-education."

The House will pick up the education debate next week, but before that House Speaker Dennis Hastert plans to go to a local elementary school to read to kindergartners from the Dr. Seuss book, "Green Eggs and Ham." It's a sign of things to come, as the parties engage in a public relations battle over the issue polls say Americans care about most.

Monday, March 1, 1999

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• Justice opposes Y2K lawsuit legislation
• Senate battle brewing over education bill
• California GOP grapples with its problems
• Senators predict end to Independent Counsel Act
• Poll: Most believe media should lay off Broaddrick allegation
• Panel says IRS can't balance books
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• Rep. Kasich defends friendship with Democrat
• Report: Lewinsky links herself with Diana
• Clintons end vacation a day early
• New Jersey foes may clash in Senate race
• Once considered a joke, Gov. Moonbeam's star rises again
• Capital reflects American society
• GOP senator urges stand on abortion
• Mayoral candidate's phony Web site closed

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