Nation IN BRIEF : OREGON : Panel to Get Case on Unseating Packwood

The Senate Rules Committee will hear arguments today in Washington D.C. on whether Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.) lied to block pre-election news stories about his sexual conduct. The case enters uncharted legal territory when the 16 senators hear arguments on unseating the senator for allegedly defrauding voters. Underlying the legalities is a volatile political issue on how the Senate deals with a colleague accused of making unwanted sexual advances. Petitions leading to the hearing were filed by more than 250 Oregon voters. Packwood’s lawyer would not comment, but said “we look forward” to the oral argument.