Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gop Finds Flood-Relief Bill Difficult

Associated Press

Confronted with fresh attacks from the White House on one hand and internal divisions on the other, congressional Republicans struggled Tuesday to produce an alternative to a vetoed $8.6 billion disaster-aid bill.

Senate Democrats launched an all-night series of media appearances in a Capitol suite just off the Senate floor to dramatize the urgency of the issue.

“I’m ready, I’m willing and I want to work with you,” Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott told Democrats, indicating he was prepared to pass a less costly measure that included “urgent disaster relief” for Midwestern flood victims without the provisions that sparked President Clinton’s veto.

On the other side of the Capitol, though, the House GOP leadership met without deciding their next step. Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, told reporters there would be “discussions with the White House” to see what compromise was possible.”