U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., will oppose campaign-finance legislation in Congress unless it contains provisions to curtail contributions from labor-union members.

        “I've been opposed to this method of unilateral dis- armament for the Republicans from the get-go, and I'm not going to be for it now,” the senator from Southgate said Tuesday during a conference call with Kentucky reporters.

Bunning

        Campaign finance was among the issues Mr. Bunning discussed. The Senate is scheduled to begin debating in March the campaign-finance bill, sponsored by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Russell Feingold, D-Wis.

        The bill would ban “soft-money” contributions from corporations, unions and wealthy individuals to political parties. Soft money is unlimited and unregulated, since it is not supposed to be spent to directly influence a particular candidate's race.

        President Bush has said he is unlikely to support the bill unless it contains language that allows union members to prevent their dues from going to political activities.

        Mr. Bunning agrees with the new president.

        But many Democrats have indicated they won't back the bill if the union provision remains in the legislation. Labor unions are traditionally one of the largest financial contributors to Democratic candidates.

        Other issues Mr. Bunning addressed include:

        • Mr. Bush's plan to funnel up to $10 billion in federal tax dollars directly to religious organizations, which would spend the money on service programs.

        The centerpiece of Mr. Bush's plan, which would allow religious groups to compete for billions of dollars in government grants, is modeled after similar efforts that previously faced little opposition on Capitol Hill. The proposal also calls for a slew of tax breaks to encourage charitable giving.

        Mr. Bunning thinks the bill has merit despite some people's concerns that it would blur the line between church and state.

        Mr. Bunning said that, especially in urban areas of the state, such as Northern Kentucky and Louisville, religious-based social-service groups “are anxious for this.”

        • A prescription drug benefit for senior citizens proposed by Mr. Bush.

        Medicare, a federally subsidized health-care plan for seniors, generally does not provide coverage for most drugs prescribed outside hospitals, although many recipients get drug coverage by signing up for a Medicare HMO or by purchasing supplemental plans. One-third of senior citizens have no drug coverage. Congressional Democrats put the figure at about 14 million people.

        The proposal is meant to cover the full cost of prescription drugs for individual Medicare recipients who have incomes up to $11,600 but who are not eligible for Medicaid. Married couples with incomes up to $15,700 would be eligible.

        For those with slightly higher incomes — $15,000 for individuals, $20,300 for married couples — Mr. Bush's plan would offer subsidies covering at least half the cost of drug plan premiums.

        Mr. Bunning said he would like to see “a little bit bigger plan and include a few more people.”

        “But I need to see the bill in detail to give a better answer.”

        • Indications that the Food and Drug Administration may increase its regulation over tobacco, Kentucky's top cash crop.

        Mr. Bunning said he would fight such a move, which was recommended in 1996 by the Clinton administration.

        “I'm totally and positively against it,” he said, adding that the FDA should not be allowed “on the farm.”

       The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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