An alliance of suburban voters with blacks and whites in the city would assure passage.

In some cases, they have have managed to alter the behavior of one host to assure passage to the next.

But at least half the Senate's 45 Democrats are expected to back the package, assuring passage.

Normally that would assure passage, but this is not a normal case.

That meant that the White House needed at least eight more supporters to assure passage.

Under a compromise to assure passage of the bill, it was agreed that the commission would not deal with issues causing strong disagreement.

To assure passage of people using wheelchairs, or crutches, the opening must be at least 32 inches wide.

Solid bipartisan support for the bill virtually assures final Congressional passage, possibly within the next few weeks.

Outside, the silence was a protection against danger, the light spilling like thick honey assuring safe passage.