us Companies with pension plans would receive billions of dollars in recession-era relief in a House bill that supporters said could deter employers from freezing those plans or laying off workers. The legislation, passed by voice vote late Wednesday, also gives a break to some seniors who are required by law to draw down savings from their now-depleted IRA and 401(k) retirement funds. The Senate is trying to clear the bill, and send it to President George W. Bush for his signature, before the likely adjournment of Congress at the end of this week.

AP