House OKs bill to restrict land seizures

WASHINGTON — The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday to block the Supreme Court-approved seizure of private property for use by developers.

The bill, passed 376-38, would withhold federal money from state and local governments that use powers of eminent domain to force businesses and homeowners to give up property for commercial uses.

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling in June, recognized the power of local governments to seize property needed for private development projects that generate tax revenue. Critics of the decision said it was an abuse of the Fifth Amendment's "takings clause," which provides for the taking of private property, with fair compensation, for public use.

All members of the Washington state delegation, except Democrat Jim McDermott, voted against the bill. Cathy McMorris, a Republican, did not vote.

New judge selected

for trial of DeLay

A new judge was selected Thursday to preside over Rep. Tom DeLay's conspiracy and money-laundering trial, after a second judge withdrew because of political contributions he has made.

Administrative Judge B.B. Schraub, a Republican who was to have selected the judge for the case, withdrew after Travis County, Texas, District Attorney Ronnie Earle filed a request to have him removed. Two days earlier, District Judge Bob Perkins was removed from the case at DeLay's request because of his contributions to Democrats.

Schraub asked Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson to name a judge to preside over DeLay's trial, and Jefferson selected semiretired Senior Judge Pat Priest of San Antonio.

DeLay, R-Texas, is charged with illegally funneling corporate campaign contributions to Republican candidates for the 2002 legislative races.

Mexico border fence

House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., on Thursday called for building a high-tech fence along the nation's border from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.

The proposal would also increase penalties on employers who hire undocumented workers, step up deportation of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal entrants, among other things.

The bill, to be introduced soon, is a wish-list for immigration-control advocates in the pending congressional debate over President Bush's plan to create a guest-worker program that would be open to illegal immigrants already in the U.S.

The Bush administration already has taken a stand against a fence along the border with Mexico.

Compiled from The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times