RENO, Nev. - Nevada's senators say 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.
''Nevadans can stand proud today knowing that the president has put their health and safety above the bottom line of nuclear utilities,'' Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday.
Sens. Reid and Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said they've 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 unsuccessful,'' Bryan said.
Debate began on the bill Tuesday and a final vote is expected later 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.
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