The Nation - News from May 5, 1988

The House, chipping away at President Reagan’s objections to a major trade reform bill, agreed to drop a provision restricting Alaskan oil exports and urged him to sign the bill. The resolution, approved 253 to 159, now goes to the Senate, which is in recess until next week. It is not clear whether the Senate will accept the proposal designed to revise the trade reform bill before sending it to the White House. The House and Senate had approved a massive trade bill designed to open foreign markets to U.S. products and crack down on foreign trade abuses. But Reagan has vowed to veto it, citing two objectionable provisions: a requirement that businesses give their employees notice of 60 days of layoffs and shutdowns and new restrictions on Alaskan oil exports.