Uniform poll-closing time legislation seemed to be only bill (HR-...

but no entertainment of new requirements on networks, which generally admitted errors and promised to work on reform of their common Voter News Service (VNS), which they blamed for mistakes. Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) thanked networks for “self-examination,” particularly CBS and CNN, which used independent investigators. “We'll defend your right to get it wrong,” said Tauzin in answer to those who feared he would tread on First Amendment, but “how can we assist in getting new agreements to get it right?” Ranking Democrat Dingell (Mich.) and other Democrats suggested Republicans were continuing to kick subject around to divert attention from balloting irregularities in Fla. that they said cost former Vice President Gore election. Both Republicans and Democrats blamed network errors for costing their side votes. “The eyes of America are on this committee,” said Rep. Bilirakis (R-Fla.). “They expect us to do something.” Most aggressive Democratic comments came from Rep. Brown (Ohio), who said “conservative, corporate-owned media” had failed to tell America true story of “Republican suppression of the minority vote.” Least conciliatory comments from panel members came from AP Pres. Louis Boccardi, who said he had “serious doubts” that Committee could avoid “inappropriate government involvement” with press. He said fixing VNS’s problems “is a job for the nation’s editors and news directors, not its legislators.”