Is the Olive Branch for Real?

President Reagan threw an olive branch to Congress in his State of the Union address Tuesday evening when he declared that though there are changes in Congress--that is, Democrats control both houses now--there is no reason the two sides cannot work together.

Today, or any day between now and next Tuesday, the President can demonstrate the sincerity of that pledge of cooperation by signing into law the Clean Water Act of 1987. Or he can throw a rock through the window of opportunity by vetoing the bill, just as he did the identical Clean Water Act of 1986 last fall.

The Clean Water Act, an extension of one of the nation’s most popular and successful environmental programs, passed Congress unanimously in late 1986. Shocked and angered by Reagan’s post-election pocket veto, the new Congress made the bill its first major order of business. The second time around, the House vote was nearly unanimous. The Senate, as a courtesy to the White House, even postponed action for a week so that Reagan would not have to decide its fate before the State of the Union address. The Senate then voted 82 to 17 for the bill. Still, White House aides have said that the President considers the $18-billion measure too costly and may veto it again.

The veto idea is getting support from a handful of conservative senators, who want the President to demonstrate that he has not been weakened by the Iranian arms controversy and can still tough it out with Congress.

This time, however, it is almost certain that the necessary number of Democrats and Republicans would vote to put the measure into law over the President’s objections. Under those circumstances, a second veto might be interpreted as the almost spiteful act of a stubborn President who is out of touch with Congress and the people. That definitely would not be a sign of strength.