Dole Says GOP Ready to Force Whitewater Issue in Congress

Republicans are ready to stall debate on health care and other issues if Democrats block efforts to set up hearings on the First Family’s role in the Whitewater land deal, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.) said Sunday.

Dole said he would meet Majority Leader George J. Mitchell (D-Me.) today and was hopeful that they could work out a legislative agenda, including Whitewater hearings.

“We’re not ready yet, but if it keeps dragging and we don’t get results, I don’t think we have any choice but to try to at least get our point across,” Dole said on CBS-TV’s “Face the Nation.”

Mitchell, appearing on the same program, said the Republicans risk alienating the public by filibustering action on health care.

“Sen. Dole is a good friend, and he is a very smart man. And I would not want to be him going to the American people and saying: ‘We think Whitewater is more important than passing a crime bill, we think Whitewater is more important than passing a health care bill . . . and we’re just going to stop this government cold until we get some satisfaction on Whitewater.’ ”

On another matter, Mitchell, a leading candidate for the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court, said he would have to consider leaving his Senate post if nominated to the high court.

Mitchell said he had not been contacted by the White House about the seat and that he had made no decision on the matter.