REPUBLICANS BEGIN "REHABILITATING" THE CRIME BILL

The GOP-controlled House began the process of revamping President Clinton's Crime Bill by passing the least controversial of six crime-related measures. The House passed, by a 431-0 vote, legislation requiring criminals to pay full restitution to victims for damages resulting from their crimes. But the next five proposals, which would allow prosecutors to use evidence gathered in illegal searches, drew fire from some Democrats. The most contentious legislation has yet to hit the floor: a bill that would repeal the ban on assault weapons. The GOP leadership, warned by President Clinton that he would veto any attempt to repeal, has shelved discussion on that bill for several weeks.