What is the test for determining the intended meaning of a statute?

Our starting place in determining the intended meaning of a statutory provision is, of course, the language of the statute. See Belland v. Pension Benefit Guar. Corp., 726 F.2d 839 (D.C.Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 105 S.Ct. 245, 83 L.Ed.2d 183 (1984). However, the fact that the statutory language--and its plain meaning--are the starting place for construing a statute "does not 'preclude consideration of persuasive evidence [of differing legislative intent] if it exists.' " March

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