Article | March 31, 1996

Reg reform slows

With the presidential election beginning to loom large, Republicans find themselves in an awkward position on regulatory reform. A plank in the Contract with America and a top priority for the business community, including those who manufacture and use packaging, regulatory reform could threaten the government's ability to enforce environmental laws, according to EPA officials and others.

By Cecelia Blalock, Washington correspondent.

Sensitive to its negative public image on environmental issues Republicans in the House are anxious to avoid differences among themselves and with the Senate that would highlight the issue. Attempts are being made to work out a streamlined regulatory reform bill that could pass Congress and win presidential approval. c