Try our new search engine

Tug Of War Continues Over Disaster Relief Bill

Clinton rejects Lott's compromise, as state relief is held hostage on the Hill

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 10) -- Following President Bill Clinton's veto of the disaster-relief package, Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are conducting a war of words, with each side claiming the moral high ground. (416K wav sound)

Saying he is frustrated that it has been 80 days since he requested disaster relief, Clinton today urged lawmakers to "send me a straight forward disaster relief bill ... Do the right thing and have your politcal arguments later." (192K wav sound)

"This is not just a PR battle," Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) told CNN. Lott disclosed he had spoken with the president soon after Clinton vetoed the disaster relief supplemental appropriation legislation Monday.

The bill would provide $5.5 billion in disaster relief to the flood-ravaged Midwest, as well as money for Bosnia operations.

But Clinton and other Democrats objected to language that would prevent government shutdowns in case of a future budget impasse by continuing basic appropriations. Plus, they reject a GOP-backed ban on the use of sampling methods in the 2000 census. Republicans fear those methods could shift districts to favor Democrats.

Noting Clinton's opposition to the two Republican-inserted provisions, Lott said he urged negotiators to "work out language we can live with."

Lott also offered the White House a quick compromise for the vetoed disaster-aid bill Monday, but the proposal "didn't quite make it," White House spokesman Mike McCurry told The Associated Press today. McCurry declined to reveal details of Lott's proposal.

It's likely to be Wednesday at the earliest before another measure is ready for a vote on the floor, said House aides, speaking on condition of anonymity. To dramatize the need for relief, Senate Democrats are planning plan an all-night vigil in a Capitol corridor if the Senate formally votes to adjourn.

Lott quickly adjourned the Senate last week when the Democrats tried something similar. This time Democrats say they would do it off the floor.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), who is from the blizzard- and flood-clobbered area, went to the Senate floor to dispute Lott and other Republicans who claim the political impasse has not disrupted the flow of money to the region.

"I say to them you're wrong and you know it and if you don't know it, buy a plane ticket and fly to Grand Forks and talk to the flood victims that you're holding hostage," Dorgan said.

Vice President Al Gore reiterated Dorgan's remarks at a press conference with Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.). Insisting they will not be diverted, Daschle said, "Sooner or later we've got to get this job done, and we're going to stay here as long as it takes ... to get this bill passed and signed into law." (256K wav sound)

On this point, Lott seems to agree. "What we need to do though is to stop trying to get positioned and get an advantage over each other, and sit down and agree on the amount of money and also agree on the language," he said. (320K wav sound)

CNN Congressional Correspondent Bob Franken contributed to this report