PESO PLAN SPLINTERS GOP

Despite a nearly lockstep charge to fulfill their "Contract With America," renegade Republicans railed against party leaders for supporting President Clinton's$20 billion bailout of Mexico's teetering economy. Rep. David Funderburk (R-N.C.) warned colleagues to expect a voter "backlash" if they continue to endorse the Clinton package, which was backed by Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole and House Speaker Newt Gingrich. "When the voters supported the 'Contract With America,' they had no idea they'd be handed a contract with our neighbors to the south," Funderburk told the House Banking Committee. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) believes Clinton violated the constitution when he bypassed Congress and enforced the plan by executive order on Jan. 31.