THE HEAT'S ON HATFIELD

Lawmakers from both parties defended Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore.) as GOP members sought revenge against the only Republican senator who voted against the balanced budget amendment. Several GOP Senate freshmen, led by Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), have called for Hatfield's ouster as chairman of the powerful appropriations committee, but Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole today seemed reluctant to make such a harsh move. Other, more senior Republicans said Hatfield should not be condemned for a vote of conscience. "It's not a healthy concept, in my opinion, to think everyone has to fit into the same keyhole to belong to the Republican Party," said Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), a longtime member of Hatfield's panel. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) joined the defenders, arguing that Hatfield should not be punished for sticking by his principles. Before last Thursday's budget bill vote, Dole reportedly refused an offer by Hatfield to resign rather than vote against the Party -- a move that would have given the amendment the necessary two-thirds majority, 66-33.