Reagan Warned of Peril to Bush in Plant-Closing Veto

President Reagan heard Republican congressional leaders voice concern today that his threatened veto of a plant-closing notification bill could cause political problems for Vice President George Bush and the GOP this fall.

Emerging from an hourlong meeting at the White House, House GOP leader Robert H. Michel said some GOP leaders suggested that Reagan allow the bill, which has been depicted by Democrats as a litmus test for compassion, to become law.

With the prospects for sustaining a veto uncertain, Michel acknowledged that jitters over the probable impact on the campaign trail had led some members of his party to advise Reagan not to risk the political consequences.

“He did not give an expression one way or another at all,” Michel said. “He just listened this morning on that one issue.”

In recent weeks, much hue and cry has been heard from Democrats about Reagan’s opposition to a proposed requirement that companies with more than 100 employees provide 60 days’ notice of plant closings and major layoffs.

Trade Reform Veto

The controversial legislation--regarded by proponents as common fairness and by critics as unwarranted government intrusion into private business--was the reason Reagan vetoed a trade reform package that included it as a provision.

Now, with the same advance-notice language standing as a separate bill passed by Congress, he must decide by midnight Aug. 3 whether to adhere to his convictions or bow to election-year pressure by letting the bill become law.

The Constitution gives Reagan three options: Sign the bill, veto it or simply allow the 10-day deadline to pass without formal action, in which case the measure becomes law.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) said Reagan was advised today that a veto would almost certainly be overridden. At the same time, he said no one was “pleading to the President to let them off the hook.”

“They were expressing pretty good vote counts,” he said, “but saying the President ought to do his thing.”

President Plays Coy

For his part, Reagan played coy, insisting to reporters that he never discusses legislation “until it reaches my desk.” In fact, the bill is on his desk awaiting action.