Bill seeks regulation of popcorn additive

WASHINGTON — Exposure to a microwave-popcorn additive linked to a deadly lung disease would be swiftly regulated under a bill passed Wednesday by the House, defying a White House veto threat.

The bill would order quick action by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to limit exposure to diacetyl, which is linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, or "popcorn lung," a disorder found in popcorn-plant workers.

The bill passed by a 260-154 vote. No companion bill has been filed in the Senate.

The Bush administration said Tuesday it would be "premature" to regulate diacetyl — which gives microwave popcorn a buttery flavor — as proposed in the bill, a view shared by some House Republicans.

The House bill would require the Labor Department to develop interim standards, limiting diacetyl exposure by workers in flavor-manufacturing plants and microwave-popcorn factories. The interim standard would be in effect for up to two years while a final regulation is prepared.

Two makers of microwave popcorn, ConAgra Foods and Weaver Popcorn, have said they would stop using diacetyl.

Pace repeats view against gay sex

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, caused a stir at a Senate hearing Wednesday when he repeated his view that gay sex is immoral and should not be condoned by the military.

Pace, who retires next week, said he was seeking to clarify similar remarks he made in the spring, which he said were misreported.

"Are there wonderful Americans who happen to be homosexual serving in the military? Yes," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee during a hearing focused on the Pentagon's 2008 war-spending request.

"We need to be very precise then, about what I said," he added. "And that is, very simply, that we should respect those who want to serve the nation, but not through the law of the land, condone activity that, in my upbringing, is counter to God's law."

Pace's answer on gays was prodded by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who said he found Pace's previous remarks as "very hurtful" and "very demoralizing" to homosexuals serving in the military.

Review of profanity decision sought

The government will ask the Supreme Court to review an appeals-court decision that invalidated the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) policy on the broadcast of profanity.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin confirmed the decision Wednesday night.

"I am pleased that the solicitor general will be seeking Supreme Court review of the Second Circuit's decision," he said. The solicitor general represents federal agencies in cases before the Supreme Court.

In June, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected by a 2-1 vote the agency's policies on so-called fleeting expletives. The case involved two airings of the "Billboard Music Awards," in which expletives were broadcast over the airwaves.

If the high court decides to hear the case, it will be its first review of broadcast speech in three decades.

Alabama Republican won't seek re-election

U.S. Rep. Terry Everett, R-Ala., said he won't seek another term in Congress, the ninth House Republican this year to announce plans to retire.

"There is a season for all things, and it is time for me to enter the next phase of my life," Everett, 71, said Wednesday.

He cited two cases of shingles within the past three years that have caused nerve damage as one reason for his retirement. He said that, as recently as last week, he had intended to seek re-election.

Seattle Times news services