The more likely course of action members of Congress will take is to put the issue before the court of public opinion.

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The real point of the pre-Budget report is to put new policy and tax ideas into the public domain before legislating.

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In November, results of public consultation were put before the transport committee showing 55% of the 3, 689 people who took part supported the plan.

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Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked what was the point of a public consultation when the government had put "Scottish Power before the Scottish people".

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But Iranian officials have been public about their desire to put a human into space before the end of the decade.

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He added that public opinion would be considered and the programme redrafted before being put out to formal consultation later this year.

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Currently, government proposals are put to the public for consultation - in the form of green and white papers - before bills are framed.

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The extension goes to before midnight on Oct. 17, but the agency said it would put in place interim rules, with a public comment period, to make it permanent.

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