The hearing resulted from concerns voiced by members of Congress and terrorism authorities that the White House's effort against terrorist financing has stalled.

Mr. Aufhauser likened the measure today to a "nuclear bomb" in the effort against terrorist financing.

Mr. Bush has so far offered only flimsy arguments against spending limits and public financing of Congressional campaigns.

It was the second major move in a month against American financing of Hamas.

But the party's liberal base is hungry for more forceful action, including voting against additional financing for the war.

He voted against federal financing of abortions for poor women and against gun control.

Mr. Livingston told the committee he was voting against full financing in order to buy time to draw up more stringent operating conditions for the fund.

But it takes the form of a framework regulation which could serve as the vehicle for a wider campaign against terrorist financing.

Mr President, the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing is a political priority for the European Union.

Mr. Exon said he would vote against continued financing of the project when his committee considered the matter on Wednesday and Thursday.