Senate backs request for making nerve gas

With Vice-President George Bush casting a rare tie-breaking vote, the Senate approved President Reagan's request to end a 14-year moratorium on the production of nerve gas, a toxic chemical weapon.

The Senate authorized $130 million for the production of the Big Eye nerve gas bomb and nerve gas artillery shells. The Senate also rejected a proposal to drop $7 billion for production of the B-1 bomber.

Last month, the House decided against funding for nerve gas weapons, so a conference of House and Senate members will have to work out a compromise.