Senate passes Ensign’s cat bill

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003 | 9:11 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- A bill calling for tighter restrictions for ownership and sale of lions and tigers is becoming a lesson in legislative procedure.

The Senate merged legislation from Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif., with a similar bill offered by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., and passed the combined measure Monday. It bans shipments of large felines across state lines to anyone other than zoos, exhibitors and those certified to handle and care for the animals.

The House passed the McKeon bill Thursday. The move to combine the bills is common when the two bodies have similar but competing bills.

Because of technical changes the Senate made, the House will have to take another vote on the bill.

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