But Democratic legislators and their aides today expressed caution about Administration support for specific gun-control proposals.

"We still expect Administration support."

But some Republicans, operating with Administration support, have successfully mounted a filibuster to block the adoption of the amendment by the full Senate.

Mr. Wall's effort to persuade Congress to provide guarantees for the notes is unlikely to succeed without Administration support, some experts said.

The Treasury indicated that such tactics were unlikely to gain Administration support.

But Administration support will be crucial.

The House will vote on the bill later this summer; Administration support seems assured.

"To have this kind of public display of Administration support is unprecedented," said one Pentagon official.

Department officials say Administration support for the $18 million grant resulted from a compromise that reduced the grant from $40 million.

Senator Graham said he hoped that with Administration support Congress would soon approve more generous textile provisions.