The only remaining obstacle is the House, where a similar measure is attached to a water resources bill that is bogged down in unrelated partisan disputes.

One Congressional official said that the amendment was snarled in an unrelated legislative dispute over American textiles.

Later at the meeting, Mullis was involved in a physical altercation with another Cetus researcher, over a dispute unrelated to PCR.

The provision remained part of the bill, but the legislation was derailed by unrelated disputes.

This can be problematic as even noncontroversial technical amendments may be stalled due to unrelated disputes between the Legislature and Governor.

Two men were shot and five others were stabbed in unrelated disputes at three Manhattan nightclubs early yesterday, the police said.

Now attention turns to the House, where the measure is tangled in unrelated partisan disputes.

The bill faces a veto threat because of an unrelated environmental dispute, but Congressional aides say the laser financing will almost certainly remain intact in any agreement.

In May 2003, Mr. Anemone, who had been a high-ranking police commander, was fired, along with his deputy, in an unrelated dispute.

Mr. Levy resigned tonight in an unrelated dispute over his role in the ruling Likud party.