The Senate approved 57-37 the energy and water appropriations conference report, sending the bill to the White House where President Clinton could veto it. The bill includes a prohibition against a "spring flood" advocated by federal agencies on the Missouri River to protect an endangered fish and opposed by agricultural interests who fear it will disrupt agriculture and transportation.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to Clinton urging that the bill be signed. Grassley said that increased spring water releases easily could cause the Missouri to flood low_lying areas, including farmland and communities. "Floods would cause a severe economic hardship on those affected," he said. "Farmers would be unable to plant crops, and home and business owners would experience property damage."

Clinton has threatened a veto because the Senate rejected the amendment that would have eliminated the anti_flooding provision which has been included in four of the last five energy appropriations bills.

"Increased spring water releases would also cause less water to be released during the summer months," Grassley said. "The lower river levels would halt river barge transportation. Loss of barge traffic would deliver the western part of America’s great grain belt into the monopolistic hands of the railroads."