Veto Threat Stirs Protests

WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats cried foul today after President Reagan, despite a written pledge of support from his budget office, said he would veto a bill that would protect federal employees who blow the whistle on government wrongdoing.

“It’s outrageous conduct and has created a bipartisan explosion, because it violates the basic understanding we need but now no longer have . . . that an Administration’s word is good,” said the chief Senate sponsor of the bill, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).

Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said “this Administration hasn’t exactly a sterling record where whistle-blowers are concerned,” adding he was “outraged, though not completely surprised” by the President’s conduct.