On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that effectively settled the 2000 presidential election, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed legislation that would implement minimum federal election standards and provide funding to help states modernize their voting systems.

The bipartisan legislation would provide $2.65 billion in funding, including $400 million to replace punch card voting systems like the ones used in much of Florida last year. Several of those systems were the source of intense controversy, because of confusion and disagreement over what constituted a vote on the punch cards.

The bill passed by a vote of 362 to 63. It now heads to the Senate, where Democrats and Republicans have been negotiating an election reform measure of their own. Differences between House and Senate versions of the legislation would have to be resolved before a bill can be sent to President Bush for his signature.

White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer said Wednesday that Bush supports the legislation and considers it “a positive step forward.”
House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Ney, R-Ohio, and ranking member Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, crafted the measure after previous efforts at reform legislation faltered.

for complete article cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/12/12/scotus.anniversary