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December 13, 2000 10:58 AM, EST

A possible government shutdown was averted when congressional Republicans and the White House met Dec. 7, and agreed “to continue talking” about four appropriation bills, including the Labor Department’s plan to institute its controversial ergonomics rules in 2001.

Republicans said the door is still open to give the next president the flexibility to stop the the workplace safety rules from being enforced, said Pete Jeffries, spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).

The White House wants more money allocated for education and health programs, and has shown a willingness to negotiate, said White House spokesman Jake Siewert.

Dec. 7 was the second meeting last week, but clearly the one that sparked the most interest because of remarks made by House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) the day before. DeLay said that an agreement with the White House on any legislation was unlikely and that he wanted President Clinton to choose between shutting down the government or getting less funding than what he wanted.

For the full story, see the Dec. 11 print edition of Transport Topics. .