House passes bill blocking contractor ethics rules

In yet another twist in a years-long fight, the House late Thursday voted 228-190 to attach an amendment to the Treasury-Postal appropriations bill that effectively stalls a Clinton Administration proposal to prevent companies with questionable labor-relations practices from winning federal contracts.

The proposal-dubbed "blacklisting regulations" by its business critics-was initially promised to the AFL-CIO by Vice President Gore three and a half years ago has been been the subject of heavy lobbying by labor unions.

The amendment passed Thursday bans spending to implement the regulations until the General Accounting Office completes a study on the issue.

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who sponsored the amendment, was "overjoyed" to win passage, a spokesman said.

A business lobbyist added that he was pleased to see his side reel in 24 Democrats while losing only 10 Republicans, especially because many of the Democrats who voted in favor of de-funding the proposal came from districts laden with high-tech companies-an increasingly influential player in the debate.

The issue now moves to the Senate and a possible showdown in a conference committee.