July 17, 1996

Hon. Trent Lott

Senate Majority Leader

U.S. Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader Lott:

We call on you to withdraw S. 1936, the "Mobile Chernobyl Act," from the Senate floor, and to not bring up this issue again this term.

The developments of the past two days underscore what bill opponents have maintained all along: President Clinton has reiterated that he will veto this bill, and yesterday's procedural vote indicates that bill opponents have the 34 votes necessary to sustain a veto.

Indeed, several Members who voted for cloture yesterday will not oppose the President on a veto override vote just a few short weeks before a national election. The margin voting to sustain a veto may be quite a bit larger than yesterday's vote indicates.

Meanwhile, continuing with this unnecessary and dangerous legislation will continue to delay Senate consideration of other important policy matters and appropriations bills. The gridlock you criticized last week likely will continue. Now, however, it is clear that it is the supporters of S. 1936 who are causing the gridlock, by continuing to pursue a bill which surely cannot be enacted.

S. 1936 was bad legislation to begin with. Now it is bad legislation which is holding up the entire U.S. Senate. Again, we ask you to withdraw this bill for the rest of the session. We are willing to work with you, with bill sponsors and others to fashion meaningful, scientifically-defensible, and politically-acceptable radioactive waste policy next term.

Sincerely,

Michael Mariotte

Executive Director