Senate Rejects First INF Pact ‘Killer Amendment’

The Senate, in a show of INF treaty strength, today soundly rejected the first “killer amendment” to the precedent-setting pact and rebuked conservatives trying to stall it as the next summit nears.

And moderate Republicans joined Democrats in sharply condemning the stall, saying that it was designed to kill the historic Intermediate Nuclear Forces accord and that without the pact in his pocket in Moscow, President Reagan would be crippled.

In the first of five back-to-back votes on a proposal by Steve Symms (R-Ida.) to block treaty implementation until Reagan can assure the Senate that Moscow is complying with parts of five other agreements, the Senate voted 85 to 11 to knock out his proposal. On the four succeeding votes on other parts of his amendment, his move was rejected by tallies ranging from 82-15 to 89-8.

Amendments to the treaty text, by Symms and others led by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) blocked movement to the all-important “resolution of ratification” the Senate must pass by a two-thirds vote to give its advice and consent to the treaty.

Faces Substantial Debate

The resolution faces substantial debate--now no sooner than Monday--over a Democratic rider to make future Presidents ask Senate permission to reinterpret treaty provisions, a holdover from a dispute with the Administration over Reagan’s bid to reinterpret the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Although it is not necessary for the treaty to be approved before Reagan’s May 30-June 2 summit in Moscow with Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev, moderate Republicans and their leader, Bob Dole of Kansas, want it ready as a a gesture of support before Reagan’s departure Wednesday for a pre-summit stopover in Finland. The conservative stall is wearing on their patience.

Dole took to the floor again today to push Republicans, particularly the GOP conservatives, to move on, saying, “We need to start making real progress. . . . Time is of the essence. The President leaves on the first leg of his trip to Moscow next Wednesday at 10 a.m. I would urge my colleagues . . . to make certain this treaty is . . . (approved) so the President will have the (papers) with him when he visits Mr. Gorbachev late next week.”