A bill intended to make it harder for consumers to clear debt through bankruptcy is being sent to President Bush after being passed in the House 302-126.

The bill, identical to a measure passed in the Senate in March, would make the most significant changes to bankruptcy law since 1978, the Washington Post reported.

Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), the chief sponsor of the bill, said the bill would preserve two key principles: Those able to pay some of their debts would have to do so, and those who need a fresh start would still be able to extinguish their debt through bankruptcy.

Consumer advocacy groups and many Democrats, who fought the legislation, argued that lenders' liberal credit policies and aggressive sales practices have been equally responsible for putting many Americans over their heads in debt.

The legislation will become law six months after Bush signs it, which he must do within 10 days or it becomes law automatically.