Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : House Votes Probe of Its Post Office

The House, after a bitter partisan floor fight, voted to have its Democrat-led Administration Committee investigate allegations of mismanagement at the House Post Office. Republicans held out for a special committee of five Republicans and five Democrats, but were defeated on a procedural vote. A government audit report last September said three clerks at the House mail center had admitted taking $28,585 from stamp and money-order funds, and one of them acknowledged selling drugs in House buildings. The post office is a contract agency of the Postal Service and is headed by Robert V. Rota, who is elected by the Democratic majority. Rota has been pressured by the leadership to resign, but reportedly has refused.