American Notes CONGRESS

"We are asked to bend the law for someone who broke the law." Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin was railing against the proposal, which the Senate passed by a 78- to-17 vote last week, to restore Oliver North's $23,000 military pension. It was halted after his July conviction for destroying Government documents related to the Iran-contra scandal.

Some Senators objected to passing what amounted to a private law for North sponsored by Jesse Helms of North Carolina. But Helms was persuaded by Delaware Democrat Joseph Biden to expand the bill so that it would apply to all former military men convicted of similar crimes. If the House concurs, Congress will be favoring government pensions to a select group of convicted felons who served in the military. Not that Ollie needs the money. He earns an estimated $25,000 a speech.