Mr. Greenspan's own testimony on the subject before the Joint Economic Committee in Congress underscores the notion that he will not let himself become a prisoner of the political budget process.

His testimony on cross-examination yesterday, however, diminished Mario Biaggi's importance in Wedtech's affairs, and underscored Mr. Ehrlich's ties to a handful of public and military officials who were helpful to Wedtech.

"Our job is to try to insure public confidence in, and the credibility of, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," Senator Breaux said after hourlong testimony by the commissioner had underscored his uncertainty of events.

Early testimony by doctors powerfully underscored the law's core defects - namely, the glaring absence of an adequate exception to protect a woman's health and its astonishingly broad reach.

The testimony and recordings underscored the deep sense of distrust and dislike among the companies that have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to fix the price of lysine, a feed additive.

That testimony underscored the widespread view that the affair was carried out by mid-level officials who bypassed officials and agencies responsible for foreign and national security affairs.

The testimony on Tuesday underscored how difficult it may be to prove that Mr. Jackson chose to molest the boy at the very moment when the news media, the police and social workers were scrutinizing him for such crimes.

Mr. Nordyke's testimony underscored a problem that has emerged in arms control talks.

The testimony of the defendants underscores their ignominious fall after Enron's collapse.

On the whole, however, Captain Kyle's testimony underscored in detail the findings of an investigating admiral who told the court earlier this week that the Greeneville's periscope search had lasted barely 80 seconds.