But they were unable to defeat the measure, one of the few that was not decided along party lines in the four-hour debate that concluded the Board's business for the year.

The commission's action came after a four-hour debate among the five commissioners and the S.E.C. staff, which itself was divided on the rule.

After a four-hour debate at a meeting last month, one opposition official said, leaders of the Movement for Democratic Change voted 33 to 31 to take part in the vote.

During a four-hour debate before the vote, supporters told emotional, sometimes personal stories of discrimination, while opponents complained of what they believed to be an unneeded, expensive bureaucracy.

The four-hour debate included some bitter personal attacks upon Frank, particularly by the California Republican William Dannemeyer who demanded his colleague's expulsion.

But Mr. Daschle's first effort today to get the Senate to agree to scheduling a four-hour debate on the House bill failed.

Let's have four-hour debates.

In late October, after a four-hour debate, the trustees voted to extend Dr. Jeffries' chairmanship until the end of June.

At least an hour of the four-hour debate had elapsed before any Republicans started making their arguments.

Under the rules, the Senate is obliged to conduct a four-hour debate on the nomination.