Lott Sees GOP Cooperation Riding on Budget Debate

Republican cooperation on Democratic issues hinges on how the Clinton administration handles the debate over a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said Sunday.

Departing White House Chief of Staff Leon E. Panetta quickly fired back that Lott should work with President Clinton on a real balanced budget rather than needlessly try to change the Constitution.

“Trent Lott doesn’t need to change the Constitution in order to get a balanced-budget agreement,” Panetta said on CBS-TV’s “Face the Nation.” “If he’s willing to sit down with the president and work it through, they can accomplish this without changing our most sacred document.”

A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget will be among the first orders of business in the new Congress, and the White House effort to block passage is certain to be a first test of the bipartisan spirit being promised by both sides.

Lott, speaking on NBC-TV’s “Meet the Press,” had harsh words for Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin, who warned in Senate hearings Friday that an amendment could have dire consequences during economic downturns.

“He really was hysterical. I was very disappointed in him,” Lott said.

The House approved a balanced-budget amendment in 1995, but Senate supporters failed in two tries to get the required two-thirds majority, falling one vote short the first time.

Lott said Senate Republicans, who increased their seats from 53 to 55 in last fall’s election, have the votes to pass the amendment. The outcome is less certain in the House, where the GOP majority has narrowed.