To: E who wrote (8270 ) 1/3/1998 1:27:00 PM From: M. Frank Greiffenstein Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 31646
Y2k and politics! GOP Rips Clinton on Computer Glitch .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - A moderate House Republican criticized President Clinton on Saturday for failing to resolve a computer software crisis that some say could cripple federal agencies at the end of the century. The problem is that many, mainly older, computers recognize only the last two digits of years and would read a date in 2000 as that date in 1900. Rep. Connie Morella, R-Md., said the date-recognition problem could affect everything from Social Security benefits to air traffic control systems. Private businesses could face a similar dilemma. ''The Congress has stepped up to the plate by raising awareness about the problem and by pushing federal agencies, state and local governments and private industry toward immediate, corrective measures,'' Morella said in the Republicans' weekly radio address. ''But the administration is dropping the ball,'' she said. The government already is spending at least $3.9 billion to make the needed changes in computer software. But a recent report by the White House Office of Management and Budget indicated that seven of 24 Cabinet agencies were making insufficient progress. ''It is time for the president to spur the government and private sector in the U.S. and abroad to address the year 2000 problem by using the presidential bully pulpit,'' Morella said. AP-NY-01-03-98 1225EST Copyright 1997 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press.