McCain to Unveil Compromise Y2K Bill

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) plans to unveil a compromise bill today limiting lawsuits against companies stemming from the year 2000 computer bug. He hopes to bridge the gap with Democrats worried about the effect on consumer rights, congressional aides said. The full Senate could vote on his package by the end of next week. Crafted by McCain and Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, the legislation would curb so-called millennium bug lawsuits against computer, software and other technology companies. As demanded by Wyden and other Democrats, the new bill would give small-business owners and consumers more leeway in court if the glitch strikes their computers Jan. 1.