Senate Seeks to Avoid Election-Year Showdown Over Contra Aid

The plan that Senate leaders shipped off to the White House for review on Friday -- $27 million in humanitarian aid that can be augmented by $16.3 million in stockpiled military supplies if President Reagan requests it and Congress approves -- provides at least some political cover, including protection from being whipsawed by the presidential campaign battle on the issue.

The problem is particularly acute for the Democrats.

With their control over both houses of Congress, Democrats stand to be blamed if, as has happened in the past with visits to Moscow or attacks on the contras, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega makes an untimely move that arouses U.S. public opinion. They are charged with denying the contras the weapons that might have kept Ortega at bay.