"It's very bad for the program," said one Senate staffer who supports the B-2.

He told me that once the chlorine dioxide has done its work, Senate staffers should have no fear.

Many of the Senate staffers working on the bill do not understand it.

Lott has actually accomplished more than most expected, a fact that even Democratic Senate staffers admit privately.

He added that Senate staffers would review the latest House offer over the weekend.

The length of tenure of senior Senate staffers has also dropped.

And a high-ranking Senate staffer said the Pataki administration has been pushing the stadium behind the scenes.

Pillsbury, a former Senate staffer and China expert, had been an early believer in the program.

The departure of several key Senate staffers following the campaign may have also been a factor.

"It's a two-edged sword that cuts both ways," said a Republican Senate staffer involved in the issue.