Tom Steward, a spokesman for Senator Coleman, said, "The senator certainly thinks it's a step in the right direction, and wishes it had happened sooner."

Senator Coleman has campaigned as a pro-life candidate since at least 1993.

Senator Coleman voted in favor of intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.

And I disagree with Senator Coleman, 100 percent of it.

Several legislators, including Senator Coleman, have called for a re-examination of the notion of "personal copying."

A spokesman for Senator Coleman said that his office would not comment on a potential opponent in a race that is a few years away.

We want to get to work,' " Senator Coleman said.

Senator Coleman, a Minnesota Republican, later said he accepted Mr. DiGiorgio's statement as true.

Senator Coleman has been among the most vehement critics of the oil-for-food program and the United Nations officials who ran and oversaw it.

What more, Senator Coleman, do you want from me?