President Clinton is under mounting pressure to seek a delay in the Senate vote on the nuclear test ban treaty. Both opposition Republicans and Mr. Clinton's own Democratic allies are telling the White House the treaty stands no chance of ratification.
All sides agree the number of supporters falls far short of the needed two-thirds majority.
You know, if they would indicate some willingness to let the next administration and the next Congress consider this and vote on it, we'd entertain that. The White House had long sought a vote on the test ban. It has been signed by more than 150 countries, but ratified by barely half the 44 nuclear-capable states whose approval is needed to bring the treaty into force. Officials argue the pact will curb the spread of nuclear weapons without harming national security. But the administration has not been able to counter a well-orchestrated flood of Republican opposition.