Senate Votes Limit on PAC Gifts

WASHINGTON —  The Senate, warned that a tidal wave of special-interest money is engulfing the democratic process, voted today to limit the amount political action committees can give to congressional election campaigns.

The 69-30 tally was the first direct Senate vote on the touchy, close-to-home issue. But the vote to impose restrictions on PACs for the 1988 elections was a preliminary one, keeping the legislation alive and open to amendment. A final vote is not scheduled until after Sept. 8, leaving the plan with relatively little time to clear Congress this year.