Article: Congress passes bankruptcy restrictions; Measure would require some to pay credit card charges, medical bills and other obligations

WASHINGTON (AP) - Tens of thousands of people who want to wipe out their debts in bankruptcy court would have to work out repayment plans instead under legislation Congress approved Thursday.

A 302-126 vote by the House sent the legislation to President Bush, who is eager to sign it, the biggest rewrite of the bankruptcy code in a quarter-century. It marks the second major change in law to benefit business since Republicans increased their House and Senate majorities in last fall's elections.

Debate in the House was acrimonious as Democratic opponents warned that the measure would hurt the economically vulnerable.

After eight years of strenuous efforts by congressional backers, banks and ...

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