Proceeds from a postage stamp costing pennies more than the going first-class rate would be spent on breast cancer research under a bill that easily passed the House on Tuesday.

The Senate approved a similar measure last week. Differences between the two versions must be resolved before a bill can reach President Clinton.

The vote in the House was 422-3.

The White House has said the proposal “may raise some practical difficulties” and urged lawmakers to consult the National Institutes of Health and the Postal Service before finalizing the legislation.

By using the U.S. Postal Service, supporters of the bill are hoping that millions of people will choose to spend a few cents more on stamps they need anyway so they can contribute to a worthwhile cause.

“If the Postal Service can issue a stamp in honor of Bugs Bunny or Elvis Presley, surely we can ensure the lives and legacies of women who have suffered the ravaging effects of breast cancer will not go unnoticed,” said the sponsor, Rep. Susan Molinari, R-N.Y.