Bryan says White House pledge to veto nuke waste bill is crucial

RENO, Nev. - Sen. Richard Bryan said a White House promise to veto the latest nuclear waste bill in Congress should help ensure enough votes to block construction of the waste dump in Nevada.

Bryan, D-Nev., said he's received assurances from the White House that a veto is awaiting the latest proposal Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, has offered as a compromise.

''Chairman Murkowski has tried to play around with that to try to cut a deal. The good news is he has been unsuccesful,'' Bryan said.

A vote on the bill is expected this week. Bryan said the promise of a veto has been key in the effort to rally the 34 votes necessary to sustain a veto against an override attempt.

''Our strategy has been to get enough votes to sustain the president's veto,'' Bryan said.

''With the veto commitment, I think we can get those votes. Without the veto threat, it would be a much more difficult proposition,'' he said.