Hyde said he expects the Committee to consider and act upon the constitutional amendment limiting the terms of Members of the House and Senate, sometime in February. The Committee will also consider the Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment early in the session. Action on this proposal is likely early in the session. In particular, the Committee will focus on a fair formula for punitive damage awards. The Subcommittee on Crime will continue its oversight of the serious problem of violent crimes committed by minors.
Legislative action is probable.
The Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims is planning a series of oversight hearings on initial results of the reform measure enacted last year to cope with the effects of illegal immigration. The Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property will consider legislation to extend copyright protection to certain materials placed on the Internet. As part of its oversight of the federal court system, the Committee will be examining the judicial decision-making process and the appropriate role of the courts in our constitutional system. The Subcommittee on the Constitution is planning to act on legislation to prohibit partial birth abortions except in cases where the life of the mother is in danger. A similar bill was vetoed last year by President Clinton.