The U.S. House of Representatives continues a marathon debate as members argue the merits of a bill that would overhaul the nation's election campaign spending rules.

A final vote on the bill is expected sometime in the next few hours. The bi-partisan bill sponsored by Republican Representative Christopher Shays and Democrat Martin Meehan would ban unlimited "soft-money" contributions that unions, corporations and wealthy individuals give to national parties. The money is mainly used for hard-hitting television ads.

House Republican leaders are trying to defeat the legislation, which they believe will hurt their party more than the Democrats. The hours before the vote have seen new compromise amendments added, with intense lobbying and maneuvering on both sides.

Late Wednesday, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer criticized a last-minute amendment to the bill that would allow parties to use soft money to pay off other debts.

Both sides say the final vote will be close. The Senate passed a similar campaign finance reform last year. If the House passes the Shays-Meehan bill it would open the way for quick approval by the Senate and would then go to President Bush for his signature or veto.

If a bill is passed that is substantially different from the already approved Senate version, it would require a House-Senate conference before going to the president. One of the major proponents of campaign finance reform, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), said in the past such conferences proved to be "black holes" from which legislation never emerges.

Supporters of reform legislation have received new backing in the wake of the collapse of Enron corporation. The failed energy giant provided millions of dollars to numerous candidates of both parties, and was a major backer of President Bush.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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