News In Brief

Proxmire says Reagan trying to muffle economist panel

Sen. William Proxmire said Tuesday President Reagan is trying to prevent his Council of Economic Advisers from speaking out on economic issues until after the election.

''The Council of Economic Advisers has become the victim of a horrendous federal deficit policy that deeply embarrasses the administration, and for which no respectable economist can or would offer a defense or a justification,'' Senator Proxmire said in his explanation of the delay in replacing Martin Feldstein, who resigned as chairman in July after disagreeing with the administration on the importance of budget deficits.