Reagan Presses for 3rd Contra Aid Vote of Year

Asserting that “time is running out for resistance,” the White House today pressed its campaign for congressional leaders to give President Reagan another chance to renew aid to the Nicaraguan Contra rebels, whose military operations are disintegrating.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Reagan will urge Democratic and Republican leaders at a meeting Tuesday to schedule a vote, perhaps this week, on yet another aid request, despite defeat of two such packages since Feb. 3.

“We will say that we need a package immediately and we need a vote immediately,” he said.

At the same time, Fitzwater admitted to reporters that the Administration does not yet have a detailed proposal in hand, but hopes to work with pro-Contra lawmakers to produce an acceptable plan for humanitarian assistance.

Wright’s Effort Fails

House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.), a prime target of the White House appeal, failed in his most recent effort to win approval of a humanitarian aid package opposed by the Administration and House Republicans as inadequate.

Although the Administration has abandoned plans to push for at least a modest amount of military aid, Reagan wants a mechanism built into any eventual compromise that would provide for expedited consideration of a request for arms and ammunition if Central American peace efforts break down.

White House chief of staff Howard H. Baker Jr. told the Washington Times that Reagan, denied $36.25 million in requested aid Feb. 3, fears a “disastrous” situation if legislators cannot agree soon on help for the rebels, who have been cut off for the last two weeks from U.S. aid.