DATE: Friday, May 9, 1997                   TAG: 9705090968

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWS SERVICE 

DATELINE: WASHINGTON                        LENGTH:   50 lines

SENATE OKS BILL TO PROVIDE AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN MIDWEST

The Senate approved a bill Thursday that would provide $5.6 billion of relief for victims of the Midwestern floods and other disasters.

The lopsided 78-22 vote for the bill obscured the partisan wrangling that had slowed progress of the ``emergency'' legislation. And the aid may be delayed further by a dispute between Senate Republicans and President Clinton over an unrelated provision.

The president has threatened to veto the measure because Republicans tacked on language that would prevent government shutdowns by automatically funding agencies at current levels if appropriation bills aren't enacted by the start of a new fiscal year.

The government shutdowns in late 1995 and early 1996 gave congressional Republicans a political black eye, and they want to avoid getting another one. But the White House contends that this provision would undercut budget negotiations by removing the need for both sides to make compromises.

The author of the shutdown-prevention language, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said that while government has an obligation to provide relief for victims of natural disasters, it should also protect Americans from ``man-made disasters.'' He argued that the government shutdowns in late 1995 and early 1996 were ``one of the blackest chapters in American history.''

But McCain signaled his willingness to negotiate a compromise with the White House. ``We are open for business,'' he said. ``We'd like to talk.''

The House is scheduled to act on a companion disaster-aid bill next week. The shutdown dispute could be resolved before a final version is sent to the president's desk.

If it isn't, however, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said he has lined up enough votes to sustain a veto. After upholding a veto, said the South Dakota Democrat, Congress could quickly pass a ``clean'' disaster aid bill without the disputed language.

The bill would provide $5.6 billion in aid for victims of last month's floods and other disasters in 33 states. It also includes $1.8 billion to pay for the U.S. peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and enforcement of a no-fly zone over Iraq. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

HOW THEY VOTED

A ``yes'' vote is a vote to pass the bill.

John W. Warner, R-Va.Yes

Charles S. Robb, D-Va.Yes

Jesse A. Helms, R-N.C.No

Lauch Faircloth, R-N.C.No

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