Inside Report (3)

What does a lump of uranium have in common with a Toyota? The ire of some in Congress, who don't like what imports are doing to US industries.

By law, uranium imports can feed up to 80 percent of the US market. But there is a uranium glut. Layoffs in uranium plants have escalated. The result: Some 8, 000 are idle out of an industry work force of 22,000. Sen. Pete Domenici (R) of New Mexico wants to restrict uranium imports to 20 percent of the US market. Domenici agrues that the plan - tacked onto a Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorization bill - will protect a strategic US industry.

Outlook for the import restriction isn't good - it faces strong opposition in conference committee.