House Refuses to Ban Military Aid to Contras

The Democratic-controlled House handed President Reagan a major victory today, refusing to extend a ban on U.S. support for military activities inside Nicaragua.

The 232-196 vote appeared to clear the way for approval later in the day of a Reagan-backed plan to provide $27 million in non-lethal logistical aid to rebels fighting to overthrow Nicaragua’s leftist government. It marked a sharp reversal by the House on Nicaraguan policy.

The defeated amendment, sponsored by Rep. Edward P. Boland (D-Mass.) would have extended a current ban on spending in support of “military or paramilitary operations in Nicaragua.”

Approved 4 Times

The House had approved the restriction four times previously. Boland argued that without its re-enactment, Reagan would be free after Oct. 1, when the current law expires, to use the CIA contingency fund to resume sending military aid to the contras.

Appealing for the amendment’s approval, House Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-Tex.) said that if the House rejected it, “you are absolutely, clearly voting to do away with the restraint that exists in the law today against the United States financing an invasion of the country and the overthrow of that country’s government.”

But Rep. Dick Cheney (R-Wyo.), a House Intelligence Committee member, called the Boland language “a killer amendment” if attached to the plan for the $27 million. Cheney also said the White House had pledged not to use the contingency fund to resume lethal aid to the rebels.

O’Neill in Biting Attack

Earlier today, House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. attacked Reagan’s push for resuming direct aid to Nicaraguan rebels, charging that the President wants a military victory so he can play the role of “conquering hero.”

Reagan “is not going to be happy until he has our Marines and our Rangers in there with a complete victory,” O’Neill said.

“He sees himself leading a contingent down Broadway with paper flying out of the windows with a big smile on his face, kind of a grade B motion picture actor coming home the conquering hero. . . . Unbelievable. That’s the way he talks and that’s the way he feels.”

White House spokesman Larry Speakes, asked about the Speaker’s remarks, read the O’Neill statement to reporters, shook his head and said, “You know, that’s really sad. Sad. . . . I read it to you so you would understand exactly what Tip said. It just is sad.”