Evening star., 1960-06-26
3 Bills Delay
Adjournment,
Time Runs0ut
BY the Associated Press


Three vigorously disputed |
bills-medical care for the aged,
Federal aid to education and an
increase in the minimum wage
appeared today to hold the
key to when Congress will ad-
journ.
All of the measures are in
varying degrees of trouble, and |
time is rapidly running out be-
fore the Democratic National
Convention opens in Los
Angeles two weeks from Mon
day.
Many Democrats have been |
counting on passage of legisla-
ton on all three subjects as
prime talking points in the 1860 |
campaign. The Eisenhower ad-
ministration has recommended |
action in all three fields, but |
there are wide differences over
just what should be done.
Some legislators have been |
hoping fervently that the Ses-
sion could end on the July 4
holiday week end. But that hope
all but disappeared after little
progress was made this week
in solving some of the knotty
remaining problems.
Sights Fixed
Some Congressman now have
fixed their sights on Wednes-
day, July 6, or Thursday, July
Z, as possibilities for the wind
up. But others are resigned to
running right up to the final
deadline, Saturday, July 8.
Most of the members are
grimly determined not to have
to return in August's dog days
after the two national conven-
tions: All House seats and a
third of the Senate are up in
the November elections.
Senate Democratic Leader
johnson told his colleagues this
week Il know of no reason
why we should not come back
after the conventions to get
the job done" if it proves i'm
possible to complete work on
major legislation by July 9.
The House passed a limited
medical care program for older
persons Thursday but it was
far from satisfactory to many
Democrats. 1t also falls short |
of administration proposals.
Democratic leaders hope in |
the Senate to write a broader
program into the Social Secu-
rity system. The Finance Com
mittee win meet on this legis-
lation Tuesday. To speed work,
it has decided to hold no public
hearings.
Wage Bill
The Senate Labor Commit
tee cleared Wednesday a bill
to boost the 81 minimum to
S1.25 in three steps and to
bring 5 million more persons
under the law. 1t is expected /
to be reported to the Senate
tomorrow and may be called UP
for debate during the week.
The House committee APP
proved a somewhat narrower
bill earlier but so far the Rules
Committee has not granted it
clearance for floor debate.
The House Rules Committee
also is holding up school legis-
lation. Both branches have
> passed education bills in differ
ent form. The Senate has voted
for a conference to seek
compromise, but the Rules
Committee refused Thursday
to go along.
House Democratic leaders
are making strenuous efforts
to reverse the decision; a de-
cisive showdown may come at a
Rules Committee meeting Tues
day.
One major bill was readied
for final action Friday with
conference agreement on
years further extension Of
corporation and excise tax
rates. and a temporary debt
ceiling increase. Both branches
still must pass the compromise
version.
The Senate passed June Is
a $1,247, 100000 omnibus hous-
ing bill. another item strongly
desired by many Democrats.
The House Banking Committee
has approved a companion bill,
but again the Rules Committee
has taken no action to clear
it for House action.
The House has passed IA Of
the Is money bills for fiscal
1861 starting next Friday. The
Senate still has five to go. The
only one expected to bring
much debate is foreign aid.