
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 27, 1995                   TAG: 9506010005
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

SENATE PANEL OKS FOSTER

Embattled Surgeon General designee Dr. Henry Foster Jr. squeaked by a key Senate committee Friday, with fellow Tennessean and physician Republican freshman Sen. Bill Frist casting the deciding vote recommending that he be confirmed.

The nomination passed the Republican-dominated Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee 9-7, with GOP Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont - who earlier had announced his support - joining Frist and the panel's seven Democrats.

Foster issued a statement saying he was ``gratified by the committee's decision'' and that he looked forward ``to a timely vote by the full Senate.''

Foster still faces an uphill battle as the focus shifts to Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., who had threatened to block a Senate vote on the nomination, his prerogative as Senate leader.

Dole said Friday that he opposes Foster's nomination and the ``confirmation remains in doubt.'' But he reiterated an earlier statement that he wanted to meet with Foster. After the meeting, which he said would take place in early June when the Senate returns from its Memorial Day recess, Dole said he ``will then decide what action we'll take.''

Even so, Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, who is vying with Dole for the GOP presidential nomination, has vowed to filibuster the nomination to death. Foster's supporters have said they believe he can win confirmation, but are uncertain whether they could muster the required 60 votes to end debate.

Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia, said Friday that he is reluctant to cast a vote in Foster's favor.

"One reason was his lack of forthcoming with the facts early on," said Warner, who was in Roanoke on Friday to deliver the keynote address at Total Action Against Poverty's 30th anniversary banquet.

"Secondly, as a consequence of that and other stories, he's been so badly damaged that I have concerns as to whether he could effectively serve in this position. I have continuously stayed of the mind that I think I will not be able to support him."

White House official John Podesta acknowledged ``we will have to work hard to get 60 votes,'' but said he felt encouraged by the remarks of several GOP opponents who nevertheless urged a floor vote.

``I think there are Republican senators who, despite their opposition to him, will vote for cloture,'' he said.

Gramm noted that the Senate budget resolution approved Thursday recommended that funding for the surgeon general's office be eliminated, which would in effect abolish the job.

by CNB