News In Brief

Senate rejects silent meditation in schools

The Senate, 81 to 15, rejected a proposed constitutional amendment Thursday to permit silent meditation in public schools, leaving in doubt the fate of President Reagan's proposal for prayers recited aloud.

The split among forces favoring organized school prayer has kept the Senate in a stalemate for nearly two weeks.

Senate majority leader Howard H. Baker Jr. (R) said he would try immediately to call for a vote on Reagan's vocal prayer proposal but expected a delay until next week.