The Senate's rejection of tougher auto pollution controls deals environmentalists a setback on the compromise clean-air bill.
"This is the one that we thought was the most significant" of the attempts to strengthen the clean-air bill in the Senate, said Richard Ayres, executive director of the Clean Air Coalition.By a 52-46 vote Tuesday night, the Senate defeated a proposal to require tougher tailpipe-emission controls on automobiles, greater use of clean fuels by fleet operators and production of 1 million cars capable of burning alternative fuels.
Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, D-Maine, called the defeated amendment a "prescription for deadlock" on the clean-air bill.
"Do we want 13 more years of speeches or do we want a bill? Do we want to make statements or do we want to make law?" Mitchell said.
Still unresolved was a proposal to give federal aid to coal miners who would lose their jobs as a result of the clean-air measure.
Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., is seeking $700 million in aid for the miners over four years if they lose their jobs because of tougher acid rain controls at coal-burning powerplants in the Midwest.
The White House contends the assistance is too expensive.
Sen. Timothy Wirth, D-Colo., said Tuesday that Byrd "appears to have a majority of the votes" for his proposal. However, an aide to Mitchell said it was uncertain whether the amendment would pass if it came to a vote.
White House officials and Senate leaders were trying to work out a compromise with Byrd.