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CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
Shots, interior of car, driving through rural Wisconsin. Shots of DAIRY FARMS. V.O.-Reaganomics is hurting Dairy farmers with interest rates and subsidy cuts. Shots of Dairy Farmer with his herd. Dairy farmer talks about his problems with loan interest. Shot of Republican incumbent Steve Gunderson, still of Gunderson with Reagan in White House. Shot of Gunderson in a Republican Campaign school session. Gunderson in his front yard, jokes that he needs to get the cow vote to win. V.O.--Gunderson needed to convince voters that he opposed Reaganomics cuts in Dairy Subsidies. Shots of Gunderson in Committee hearing. Gunderson says he opposes Reagan when policies are bad for the district.
Lawmakers, March 22, 1984
Charles McDowell in front of bookshelves. There s more going on in American politics than Mondale, Hart and Jackson, more than this crazy whirlwind of sequential primaries and television bulletins and projections, to pick the Democratic nominee for President. In a quieter way, in a way that seems oddly old-fashioned and almost deliberative, the voters are beginning the process of choosing a third of the United States Senate and the entire House of Representatives. As we ve seen earlier on this program, the contest this year involves leasing members of the Capitol Hill cast, like Senator Charles Percy of Illinois. A very different kind of Republican, Senator Jesse Helms faces a tough challenge in North Carolina, so do conservative Republicans Roger Jepsen in Iowa and Gordon Humphrey in New Hampshire and the liberal Democrat Carl Levin in Michigan. Significant changes in the Senate are inevitable. The Republican leader Howard Baker of Tennessee is retiring, so is the Chairman of the Armed Service Committee, John Tower of Texas, and so in the old New Dealer, Jennings Randolph of West Virginia. Governor John D Rockefeller IV, a Democratic Rockefeller, is running to succeed Randolph. The Republicans currently control the Senate, 55 seats to 45. To take over, the Democrats would have to win 6 more seats. A net change of 6 seats is a lot seats. And the Republicans are optimistic about holding on to the Senate. The Democrats control the House by the massive margin of 100 members. And not even the dreamiest Republicans hold much hope of breaking that grip. So the battle for the Senate is crucial, a Democratic take over, the loss of the Republican legislative base, could change the momentum of the American government, whoever is elected President. The battle is worth watching, even in the shadows, as we shield our eyes from the glare of the Presidential festival.
George Shultz Confirmation Hearing
Confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of State nominee George Shultz before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. U.S. Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) believes there is either a personality problem or structural problem in U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s Administration. Senator Biden quotes remarks Shultz made on White house politics and structure; Shultz discussed the importance of personality compatibility among administration members, stressing the importance of not treating the White House like a royal court. Biden asks Shultz how he will solve the problem of creating one foreign policy and a uniform voice for the Reagan Administration. Shultz says the foreign policy we talk about is the President’s foreign policy. His job is to help the President create, execute, and maintain a consistent foreign policy. Shultz says the administration works for the President, and points out the National Security Directive that states the duties of administration members. Shultz says an administration needs to develop a good working relationship.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) asking Lefever who is currently on the board of the Ethics and Public Policy Center; Lefever says board size has been reduced. U.S. Senator S.I. Hayakawa (R-CA). Lefever lists current board members. Senator Sarbanes discusses Lefever’s testimony before the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, cites Lefever as calling for removal of U.S. statutes that establish human rights standards for foreign countries. Sarbanes cites Lefever as saying it should not be required for any friendly nation to pass a human rights test before they can enter into trade relations, sell arms, or receive economic assistance from the U.S. Sarbanes asks if Lefever still holds this position. Lefever says no, that his House statement on human rights statutes was too flat. Sarbanes asks Lefever for his current position; Lefever says he will observe the law of the land.
U.S. Congressmen Speak Out Against NCPAC
U.S. Congressmen speak out against the NCPAC (National Conservative Political Action Committee). U.S House Representative Paul Simon (D-IL) gathers fellow House Reps. Thomas Downey (D-NY), and Raymond Kogovsek (D-CO) on either side of him and begin press conference; adult Caucasian male seated in the BG behind the dais. Rep. Simon states that fourteen members of Congress who have been targeted by the NCPAC will not be bullied. He calls this an attack by the far right, not only on liberals, but on moderates and constructive conservatives. Rep. Simon quotes the executive director of NCPAC, Terry Dolan, through a New York Times article: "We could elect Mickey Mouse if we have enough money." Simon sees an arrogance in telling members of Congress to go along with the NCPAC program or they will go to your district and get their congressman elected over the choice of the people who live there. Rep. Simon turns it over to Rep. Downey.
Vietnam Veterans Discuss Agent Orange
U.S. House Representative Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS) speaking with several adult Caucasian male Vietnam War veterans in his office; he expresses his thanks for their service, his willingness to be fair to veterans so long as he's chair of the House Veteran's Affairs Committee, and provides updates on legislative schedule as it pertains to Agent Orange and proposed H.R.1961 legislation. He also mentions the Senate Bill which has come out with three presumptive findings related to Agent Orange. Rep. Montgomery assures the group that as chairman, he will guarantee the legislation gets brought up for a full "up or down" vote and hopes the bill remains the same as the Subcommittee on Compensation and Pensions voted out. Rep. Montgomery mentions that he is pushing for the full study on Agent Orange effects to be taken up by the Center for Disease Control, and for the study to be concluded by 1986-87.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Age Discrimination
Highlighted portion of newspaper clipping talking about Paul Donnelly, who specializes in age discrimination complaints. Donnelly, discussing age discrimination cases, says that any workers of a certain age are at risk to be laid off; Linda Wertheimer (o/s) adds that Donnelly looks for ways to bring age discrimination to the nation's attention. Leroy Cupernale on witness panel for House Select Committee on Aging with middle-aged adult Caucasian female and male; men and women in BG. Oldest member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Claude Pepper (D-FL), chairing the hearing, says age discrimination is often hard to detect, but complaints are increasing; two adult Caucasian male aides in BG. Middle-aged adult Caucasian males seated at hearing. Leroy testifying to the trauma of being laid off and the hardships he and his wife have endured; Wertheimer (o/s) states Mack truck was invited, but declined to testify. Leroy says he thinks this might help others in the same situation as him.
Seaway: President Signs St Lawrence Bill
After thirty years of controversy the St. Lawrence Seaway Bill reaches the White House for presidential signature. A victory for President Eisenhower the signing is witnessed by Chairman Don Derro of the house public works committee as well as other senators and congressmen who back the measure. On hand also is Canadian Ambassador Heavy. Canada and the US will join forces for the giant undertaking linking Lake Ontario with the St. Lawrence. The President used 10 pens to sign the bill presents 9 of them to congressional leaders. Senator Ferguson who calls the seaway "Friendship between two good neighbors" points out the route of the project that has been recommended by every American since Warren Hardy. A legislative triumph for President Eisenhower Establishing shot - President Eisenhower signing the St. Lawrence Seaway Bill CUS - The bill itself. MCUS - President Eisenhower and other senators and congressmen gathered around him. CUS - President Eisenhower signing the bill.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Jobs Bill
U.S. House Representative Robert Walker (R-PA) criticizes the jobs bill that includes unrelated infrastructure projects such as bus shed and a moving sidewalk. Rep. Mark Siljander (R-MI) argues that the bill isn't helping areas with the worst unemployment. Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA), speaking from the House floor, notes funding for programs he has never heard of and funding for "tree planting" which not what his constituents want. Rep. Jamie Whitten (D-MS) argues that his bill is not pork. Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-TX) reads a poem to argue that the bill is necessary and not pork. Rep. Conte argues that only the people on the Appropriations Committee and in the leadership were able to secure funding for their districts, and scraps were unfairly given to the rest. Rep. Abe Kazen (D-TX) says his district has some of the worst unemployment in the country and isn't going to be helped by the jobs bill.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
Linda Wertheimer discusses the contents of Justice Department documents that revealed the disagreement within the department as to the correctness of the department's position. Half of the attorneys of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department signed a letter saying the President's actions were a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. U.S. House Representative Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) chairing a House Committee Hearing; zoom out to wide view of the hearing room and the audience in the FG. Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe testifying that the Justice Department arguments are wrong. Rep. Barber Conable Jr. (R-NY) looking down. Congressmen speaking with one another. Rep. Sam Gibbons (D-FL): "Is there a need for Congress to enact any affirmative law?" Tribe say no. Adult Caucasian female nun sitting in the gallery, taking notes. Gibbons: "What should the administration do now?" Tribe doesn't think they'll take his advice, but advises the administration to "fess up".
July 29, 1994 - Part 1
(10:37:16) Today's bearing will carry out the provision of the Senate resolution that the Committee conduct hearings into whether improper conduct occurred regarding the Park Service Police investigation into the death of White House Deputy Counsel, Vincent Foster. In addressing this matter, it is important to note that the Independent Counsel on June 30 released a complete report on the death of Vincent Foster. And in his statement accompanying that report, Mr. Fiske stated, and I quote: This report concludes that on July 20, 1993, Mr. Foster committed suicide in Fort Marcy Park, Fairfax County, Virginia. The report lists a number of factors which may have contributed to his suicide and rinds no evidence that matters relating to Whitewater, Madison Guaranty, or CMS played any role in his death. I know the Committee is aware of the concerns expressed by the Foster family about the stress upon them from continuing inquiries into his death, and I am hopeful that the Committee, in carrying out the responsibility placed upon it by the Senate, will be sensitive to those concerns. Finally, Mr. Chairman, let me simply note that the Committee has been charged by the Senate with the important responsibility to make such findings of fact as are warranted and appropriate, to make such recommendations for legislative and administrative action, as the Committee may determine to be necessary or desirable; and to fulfill the constitutional oversight and informing function of the Congress. Mr. Chairman and colleagues, I look forward to the Committee's successfully carrying out that responsibility. 11 The CHAIRMAN. Senator D'Amato, Senator DAmATO. I'll take just a moment. I'd like to make an observation, that should have been made earlier. You touched on it Mr. Chairman, but I want to say that we have had the benefit of having a terrific staff that has worked in a very bipartisan manner. Mr. Codinha and Mr. Chertoff have exemplified the highest standards as they have undertaken their tasks examining witnesses together,. and working in a cooperative effort to earlier facts and information so that we may be in a position to ask proper questions and deduce the facts. I think that's very, very important. I might make one other observation and then leave it to the Chair and others to think about, but we have an MIA today The gather I'm going to introduce him in just a moment, Senator D'AMATO. Is lie here? I'm talking about another MIA, Captain Charles Hume of the Park Police who has decided not to show up after be has given us assurances be could be contacted. And I'm suggesting that staff find a way to either get him in, because be told us lie could be reached all the time, or to get his chief to come in to explain how it is that he's not here and to let him know if he ducks today we're going to bring him in in the future. I think that's important and I want to share it with you. I want to thank the staff for an outstanding job and for the professional way in which they have helped to undertake it. The CHAIRMAN. I want to go down through the opening statements so that every Senator has a chance to make their comments in order. I do, however, want to take a moment to welcome Senator Hatch to our Committee. Senator Hatch is not normally a Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee but has been assigned to this Committee to represent some of the jurisdictional concerns and ,Judiciary Committee where he serves as the interests of the Senate Ranking Member. So we welcome you. I should also say at this point that other Committees with jurisdictional interest, in these matters are otherwise represented by the present membership of the Senate Banking Committee, So we welcome Senator Hatch. Let me now, in order, go to Senator Gramm of Texas.
LAWMAKERS
20.07.00-DUKE/WERTHEIMER intro report on HOUSE MINORITY WHIP TRENT LOTT, a "New kind of Republican" in the House. M/S of LOTT with REAGAN and TAMMY WYNETTE who sings "Stand By Your Man" at LOTT political event. REAGAN speaking to crowd of Mississippi Republicans, says he "prays" that the REPUBLICANS will get the majority in the House. WERTHEIMER v.o.-LOTT is a success story for CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS who want to get the party established in the South. M/S LOTT on Capitol terrace with group of Mississippian visitors, says he prefers being home in Mississippi. C/S LOTT in office, says that being Southerner helped him in Party because REPUBLICANS wanted to get a toehold in the South and LOTT could work with CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS. 20.08.51-B/W Still of LOTT, REAGAN, and ROBERT MICHEL (House Minority Leader). V.o.-discussion of party whip's job. M/S LOTT in office, on telephone, says he's "calling as your friendly neighborhood whip". C/S LOTT discussing the job. C/S ROBERT MICHEL says LOTT is a great whip and good to work with. C/S Rep. BUDDY ROEMER (D-LA), says when LOTT gets serious, he courts votes in intensely personal way. Still of LOTT and REAGAN in OVAL OFFICE. WERTHEIMER v.o.-LOTT has a contentious relationship with DEMOCRATIC LEADERS. C/S LOTT in well of House, challenging TIP O'NEILL for the schedule of votes. C/S LOTT in office, says it's part of his job to fight when he thinks his party is getting screwed. 20.10.33-Shots of 1974 HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING to Impeach RICHARD NIXON, pan to LOTT, insisting that NIXON was innocent. C/S LOTT in office, says he wouldn't switch his vote. C/S LOTT in office, says he realized early in his career that the South was falsely stuck with a Democratic label, so he ran to succeed his retiring predecessor as a REPUBLICAN, not a DEMOCRAT. Still of LOTT campaigning. C/S LOTT in office, discussing past experiences as a DEMOCRATIC aide as a help to his career. Shot of LOTT in RULES COMMITTEE HEARING debating rules. C/S Rep. GILLIS LONG (D-LA) says LOTT knows the House rules inside out. 20.12.50-M/S LOTT with colleague in office, handshake and a joke. C/S LOTT in office, says he believes that legislation must be passed, he will fight for his side, but not derail the process if he can't win. WERTHEIMER v.o.-LOTT does have a PARTISAN reputation and SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS think that LOTT is more REPUBLICAN than SOUTHERNER. C/S Rep. GILLIS LONG, says LOTT is too bound to conservative agenda to represent the needs of the rural poor in the South. C/S LOTT in office, says he's a committed conservative, but he thinks he's flexible.
JFK Assassination Hearings - E. Aschkenasy & Mark Weiss, H.B. McClain
U.S. House Representative Christopher Dodd (D-CT) questioning acoustic experts Ernest Aschkenasy and Mark Weiss about moving the concluded location of the grassy knoll shooter. Weiss responds that the shooter could move only within a radius of five feet from the concluded location and that after that matching wave patterns cannot be produced. Rep. Dodd wants Weiss explain with the chalk board as an illustrating surface what sort of movement of the knoll shooter's concluded location would make a wave pattern that does not resemble that recorded on the tape; adult African American female assists Weiss with microphone.
Biography: Joseph McCarthy
MSs of Sen. Joseph McCarthy and Secretary of the Army ROBERT STEVENS after inspecting Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey army base in light of allegations of Communist infiltration; McCarthy commends Sec. Stevens, then shakes his hand; shots of McCarthy and Stevens walking about base. Cut to shots of Stevens and McCarthy meeting in office, posing for cameras. Cut to MS of Robert Stevens talking to the press about how he feels about McCarthy's intrusive inquiries: "I shall never accede to the abuse of Army personnel under any circumstances including committee hearings. I shall never accede to them being browbeaten or humiliated". Followed by Sen. McCarthy's response: "If a stupid, arrogant or witless man in a position of power appears before our committee & is found aiding the Communist party, he will be exposed. The fact that he might be a General places him in no special class as far as I'm concerned." Great TLS, pan left, of packed Senate house during the Senate Sub-Committee hearings (aka the Army Hearings); reporters and news cameras abound. MS Robert Stevens walking in the hallway outside the hearing room. MSs Sen. McCarthy and Pvt. G. DAVID SCHINE talking in hearings room. MS/CUs Sen. McCarthy and ROY COHN during hearings. Shots of audience, reporters, TV crews at hearings. MS Sen. JOHN MCCLELLAN at hearings. MS montage of bitter verbal battles between Sen. McCarthy and Sen. STUART SYMINGTON.
JFK Assassination Hearings - E. Aschkenasy & Mark Weiss, H.B. McClain
U.S. House Representative Floyd Fithian (D-IN) quotes from Dr. James Barger's earlier testimony about his acoustical analysis of the assassination tape. Rep. Fithian wants to know how Mark Weiss and Ernest Aschkenasy accounted for what Barger called false alarms or noises that resembled gun shots. Weiss responds that their analysis was done with a much smaller window of error and this allowed them to be certain the noises they were analyzing were gunshots. Rep. Fithian quotes Dr. Barger's once more regarding the possibilities of false arms or noises before confirming the analysis of Weiss and Aschenasy was conducted within a smaller window of error.
Capitol Journal - Campaigns 1986
Segment in which Shields in voice over gives the changes in Senate Committee positions, first saying who had held the position then saying who is now taking over - footage of the respective Senators coincides, however all of this footage of the Senators is contained within a window which is superimpsosed over a graphic of the Capital Building
July 29, 1994 - Part 1
(10:41:34) OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR PHIL GRAMM Senator GRAMM, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. On February 24, Roger Altman in his capacity as the acting bead of the RTC, appeared before' this Committee. I asked him about contacts between him or his staff and the White House with regard to Whitewater and Madison. I asked him about the nature of those contacts, the number of contacts, and I asked him about what be or they were asked to do by the White House. Mr. Altman responded that there had been one substantive contact, it had occurred on February 2, and that the sole subject matter of that contact was procedural concerning the statute of limitations. He repeated that statement not once, but three times. When be continued to use this evasive term "substantive" be was asked point-blank the following question: "You are not suggesting you 12 had more than one?" To which be responded: "No, I'm just saying that if you run into someone in the ball, if you see that thing in the paper this morning, I'm not including that." We now know that when Roger Altman testified before this Committee, be did not tell us the truth concerning the number of contacts between him and his staff and the White House. We now know that Roger Altman did not tell us the truth concerning the nature of those contacts, We now know that there were somewhere between 20 and 40 contacts. We now know that in the meeting to which be referred before the Committee on February 24, the February 2 meeting at the White House, that the subject matter of that meeting, at least in part, was about Roger Altman and whether he should recuse himself. We now know that the day before that February 24 hearing, Roger Altman and many members of his staff spent, for all practical purposes, the entire day communicating back and forth with the White House on this whole issue of whether Roger Alt-man should take himself out of dealing with the Whitewater affair. And yet, one day later, he did not see that day of activity as substantive, nor did be tell us anything about the subject matter that it contained. In fact, I think it's very interesting, Mr. Chairman, when you look at this diary of Josh Steiner. He writes about our hearing on the 24th, and here's what be said: At the hearing, the recusal amazingly did not come up. The GOP did hammer away at whether Roger Altman had had any meetings with the White House, Ile admitted to having bad one to brief them on the statute deadline. They also asked if staff had met but Roger Altman gracefully ducked the question and did not refer to phone calls he had had. We now know, Mr. Chairman, that the White House staff contacted Roger Altman about omission of the fall meeting from his testimony. We now know that Mr. Altman was contacted by the White House on March 1, and that on March 1, they told him they were concerned about omissions in his testimony concerning the subject matter of February 2 and also concerning two meetings in the fall which they clearly thought be knew about. We now have sworn statements that he did know about at least one of the meetings in the fall. We now have a memo, given to him by one of his staff members, about those meetings. Now, Mr. Chairman, you have said that you set standards of testimony before this Committee. Those standards, you say, are that testimony should be accurate, complete, and fully responsive. I would submit that based on what we know, the testimony of Roger Altman was neither accurate, nor complete, nor fully responsive. But there is another standard that I think we must keep in mind during this hearing. That is the standard for Robert C. McFarland when he pled guilty to lying to Congress, in that lie "willfully and knowingly did make default.'' By refusing and failing to answer fully and completely despite four efforts to clarify his testimony, Roger Altman has yet to provide any degree of explanation as to why there are so many inconsistencies between what he said in his testimony on February 24 and what we now know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, occurred, 13 based on the testimony of others, based on the sworn statements of others, based on diary entries by Mr. Altman himself and others. It seems to me, Mr. Chairman, if we do nothing else in this hearing, that it is vitally important that we are absolutely certain that when people testify before our Committee, they tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And I think Roger Altrnan bears a heavy burden of trying to explain to us all these inconsistencies between what he said on February 24, and what he has done and said, and what others have done and said. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. The CHAiRmAN. Senator Dodd.
Watergate Hearings - Richard Helms, Howard Hunt & John Mitchell
(11:33:12) Opens to Counsel DAVID DORSEN questioning former CIA Director RICHARD HELMS about Presidential Counsel, JOHN DEAN's communication with Deputy Director of the CIA VERNON WALTERS - Helms says that Walters reported back after meeting with Dean that Dean's mission was obviously one of feeling out whether or not the White House could get CIA support with Watergate, Helms says he told Walters to stand absolutely firm and grant the White House nothing, as Helms tells the committee this he beats his hand on the table he sits at, Helms says that did not want the CIA name besmirched by affiliation with Watergate (11:36:22) Skip in footage (11:36:31) Skip in footage - Minority Committee Counsel FRED THOMPSON questions E. HOWARD HUNT, after trying to get at it several different ways Thompson finally asks when Hunt knew that Mr. COLSON (?) knew about the Gemstone plan - Thompson then reads a transcipt from an earlier interview with Hunt which contradicts this testimony (11:44:08) Skip in footage, skip in time code - Majority Cousel SAM DASH questions JOHN MITCHELL about a statement he made earlier that he would go to extremes assure the re-election of the president, Dash asks if these extremes would include perjury - Mitchell responds he would have to think long and hard on the subject (11:45:25) Dash confirms that Mitchell did communicate with ROBERT MARDIAN about his meeting with GORDON LIDDY in which Mardian and Liddy discussed operations such as the Whitewater break-in, Dash then reads the transcript of a deposition statement of Mitchell's from a civil case that was brought by the Democratic National Committee in which Mitchell says he never spoke to Mardian about his meeting with Liddy - Mitchell tries to claim that his earlier answer was not with regard to the same communication with Mardian (11:48:40) Dash asks Mitchell if he didn't answer no (commit perjury) in order "to keep the lid on" - Mitchell keeps insisting on his painfully weak argument that his deposition statement referred to another communication with Mardian, he will not concede that he has under oath given contradictory testimony (11:51:50) Dash and Mitchell discuss Mitchell's involvement in the hiring of Liddy (11:54:13) Skip in footage - Senator DANIEL INOUYE questions Mitchell about Dean's reponsibilities with the Committee to Re-elect the President
August 9, 1995 - Part 1
(09:29:30) Opens to various shots of the Senate Committee Room where media, Senators and audience gather and mingle (09:36:06) Hearing begins: INVESTIGATION OF WHITEWATER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND RELATED MATTERS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1995 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS, SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE WHITEWATER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND RELATED MATTERS, Washington, DC. The Committee met at 10:00 a.m., in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building, Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato (Chairman of the Committee) presiding. OPENING COMMENTS OF CHAIRMAN ALFONSE M. DAMATO The CHAIRMAN. I would just like to make an announcement. We are scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. We are going to delay that, why don't we say, until 10:00 a.m. The reason for the delay is that a vote is starting within the next 5 minutes. Mr. Nussbaum, good to see you. As I was saying, while we were scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m., the reason the other Senators are not here is because a vote will start within the next 5 minutes. That vote will take at least 15 minutes to complete, plus they have another 5 minutes, so I'm going to suggest that we be prepared to start at 10:00 a.m. (09:36:58) [Recess.] (09:37:00) Various shots of Senate Hearing room where media and audience come and go and mingle, eventually Senators and witness BERNARD NUSSBAUM return and as well mingle (10:07:48) The CHAIRMAN. The Committee will come to order. Mr. Nussbaum, would you stand for the purposes of the oath SWORN TESTIMONY OF BERNARD W. NUSSBAUM, FORMER COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT OF TIRE UNITED STATES The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Nussbaum, I understand that you have a prepared statement that you would like to give to the Committee for the record, and we would be prepared to receive your testimony 101, it at this point. Mr. NUSSBAUM. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr Chairman, Senator Sarbanes, and Members of the Committee_ The CHAIRMAN. May I interrupt at this moment? Would you have a copy so we can have copies made for the Committee? NUSSBAUM. Yes, we have copies, and we'll The CHAIRMAN. If you could just wait a moment, we'll have some copies made. I'm not going to hold you up, but if your counsel could get a copy, we'll run some off. 1202 Mr. FITZPATRICK. We have copies. The CHAIRMAN. Pardon me? Mr. FITZPATRICK. We have copies. They're coming. Mr. NUSSBAUM. Copies are coming, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Why don't you proceed as long as we have them. Mr. NUSSBAUM. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, let me say I appreciate the opportunity to deliver this opening statement. I should tell you at the outset, and I know this will not surprise you, since we have all met before, that I intend to respond in detail to each of the issues and to all of the innuendoes raised in this hearing room during the past several weeks. I intend to do so with facts, not fantasies, and with a discussion of how a lawyer is obliged to act with respect to a client's confidences. So let me begin. As you know, I was Counsel to the President of the United States from January 20, 1993 until April 5, 1994. Vincent Foster was my Deputy. He was a superb lawyer, an individual of great integrity, and a magnifi cent human being. Vince was the co-senior partner of the little law firm we created in the White House, the White House Counsel's Office. It is hard to imagine having a finer colleague. I miss him. I miss him a great deal, So do so many others who knew him well.
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 2/09/1984 IN 20.11.20-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 20.12.08-PAUL DUKE/LINDA WERTHEIMER/COKIE ROBERTS-on program: FOREIGN POLICY-MIDDLE EAST and LATIN AMERICA. ROBERTS intro report on LEBANON-Democrats' desire to pass a resolution for withdrawal of MARINES pre-empted by the deteriorating situation, fear of blame by Republicans. 20.12.58-C/S Rep. DANTE FASCELL (D-FL) surrounded by reporters, says that there is no grounds for action in the changing situation. C/U headlines about LEBANON. C/S Sen. CLAIBORNE PELL addressing press, congratulating REAGAN for making the right choice and withdrawing MARINES. C/S TIP O'NEILL outside Capitol, says he's happy the MARINES are leaving. C/S Rep. LAWRENCE COUGHLIN (R-PA) in well of House lauding REAGAN'S decision to withdraw troops to ships. Rep. G.V. MONTGOMERY (D-MS) says REAGAN is making the right choice. Shots of FASCELL speaking to press, says that REAGAN probably acted to avoid bad political baggage for himself and REPUBLICANS. C/S Sen. HOWARD BAKER addressing press, says he doesn't think REAGAN made the decision for political reasons. C/Us of headlines related to continued U.S. NAVAL BOMBARDMENT of BEIRUT. Sen. PELL addressing press, says the NAVAL BOMBARDMENT is still a potentially dangerous involvement in the conflict although troops are not in danger. 20.15.03-DUKE/ROBERTS/WERTHEIMER-discussion of LEBANON situation. Congress concerned about expanding conflict in LEBANON on both parties. Attitude of relief after troop withdrawal, wait-and-see attitude for REAGAN'S next move, political consequences could be significant. DUKE-intro report on revived influence of HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and chairman DANTE FASCELL, a strong opponent of REAGAN'S FOREIGN POLICY. 20.17.15-C/S Rep. FASCELL, says that the Democrats and Congress are going to fight for influence and involvement in all military decisions. Shot of Committee hearing, Rep. MICHAEL BARNES announces that FASCELL has been elected Chairman. C/S FASCELL-the duty is more than "loyal opposition", it is to present logical points of view even if they differ from REAGAN'S policies. Exterior of INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA. DUKE v.o.-the role of Congress in FOREIGN AFFAIRS has changed from the Founding Fathers' time. Exterior of House. Series of portraits of Congressmen prominent in foreign affairs: John Quincy Adams, James Polk, William Fulbright. C/S a Congressman on Foreign Affairs Committee arguing that REAGAN'S foreign policy is flawed and Congress should lead toward a new approach.
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 17, 1973 - Testimony of Sergeant Paul Leeper
Mr. DASH. Just going down towards the corner there, (Mr. Dash pointing finger) from that room where you apprehended the men, the corner towards the bottom right, right corner, go all the way down to the large office in the corner there. Sergeant LEEPER. Right in here sir? (CU sixth floor plan) Mr. DASH. No the large office in the very corner, the very edge, yes, who's office is that? Sergeant LEEPER. That's the office of the Chairman at that time of the Democratic Party was Lawrence F. O'Brien. Mr. DASH. And was there entrance to that office from or access to it from where you found the men you apprehended? Sergeant LEEPER. Yes sir, as you can see by the chart sir, you have access to that office. Mr. DASH. And next to that office, to the left, who's office was that? Sergeant LEEPER. That's the Deputy Chairman sir, Stanley L. Gregg. Mr. DASH. Now, did you at that point what did you do with the men who you apprehended at that point? Sergeant LEEPER. We ordered them out from behind the desk and lined them up along the wall here facing the wall, hands on the wall, feet spread apart, and at that time I informed them who we were, they were under arrest for burglary and advised them of their rights. And at that, and then I directed Officer Barrett to begin a systematic search of each man... Mr. DASH. Did you notice, if anything unusual about these men and when you arrested them? The way they were dressed or .... Sergeant LEEPER. They were well dressed sir, either in suits, sport coats and ties. Mr. DASH. Now, do you know the names of those people, did they give their names at that time to you? Sergeant LEEPER. At that time, no sir. Mr. DASH. Did they give any names to you? Sergeant LEEPER. Later in the, when they were booked in the precinct, second district headquarters 2301 L street, they gave us names which later proved to be false names, alias. Mr. DASH. Did you later find out who they were? Sergeant LEEPER. Yes sir. Mr. DASH. Could you name the persons who you arrested in that location, by the names that you later found out who they were to be. Sergeant LEEPER. Frank Sturgis, Bernard L. Barker, James McCord, Eugenio Martinez, Virgilio Gonzalez. Mr. DASH. Now, did you accompany them down to the station house? Sergeant LEEPER. Yes sir, we sent three of them down in a patrol wagon. One was transported, I think Mr. McCord was transported in an 83 scout and I transported Mr. Barker in the unmarked cruiser.
JFK Assassination Hearings - E. Aschkenasy & Mark Weiss, H.B. McClain
U.S. House Representative Robert Edgar (D-PA) begins describing different scenarios, but Mark Weiss interrupts to try and explain the difference between random and systematic events. Rep. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) asks if they can be 95% sure that it was a rifle shot. Mark Weiss, sitting next to Ernest Aschkenasy, responds: "Well, I never, I have not done any kind of consideration of certainty there. I cannot, in fact, say I am sure at all, all I can again do is point to the evidence of a shock wave preceding the muzzle blast, and, in fact, as Mr. Aschkenasy pointed out, there is even a kind of early shock wave echo.
JFK Assassination Hearings - Marina Porter/Oswald
(03:13:56) Shot opens to close up of MARINA PORTER testifying before the House Committee on Assassinations, she is asked by an unidentified committee member what were the circumstances of Porter's first meeting with GEORGE DEMORANSHEILD (?), Porter says she believes she met George at a Russian friend's house party - Porter is not sure if she met him with LEE HARVEY OSWALD, her former husband, and other details about their acquaintence but she does know that both Oswald and Porter liked George very much (03:16:03) Porter is asked why Oswald liked George - Porter describe George as a likeable, cheery fellow, she adds that she assumed George liked Oswald (03:16:37) Porter is asked if George and Oswald ever talked politics - Porter resonds yes and that they also talked about JFK but she cannot remember the details however (03:17:21) Porter says she believes the men spoke favorably of JFK and that George had known JACKIE KENNEDY before she married JFK and that he said she was a nice girl (03:17:48) Porter says she does not recall ever hearing Oswald speak badly about JFK or the KENNEDY family (03:18:09) Porter is asked about George's opinon of the Soviet Union - Porter responds that he was curious about life there and that George had lived there, maybe even was born there (03:18:40) Porter is asked about Oswald's return to the U.S. from the Soviet Union - Porter says he was happy to be back, Porter than explains that upon returning to the U.S. they stayed with Oswald's brother ROBERT OSWALD in Fort Worth Texas and that soon after Lee Oswald got a job, they moved out (03:19:21) Porter explains how Oswald was contacted by FBI shortly after returning to the U.S. and that he was angered by this contact - Porter is further questioned about this encounter and she gives what details of it she can remember, she at the time was in the kitchen in the house and the meeting took place outside, also at that time Porter did not speak much English (03:21:33) Porter is asked about the apartment that they moved to and lived in, did they live at this time with Oswald's mother - Porter answers yes, they lived with Oswald's mother (03:22:05) Shot switches suddenly to the back of the hearing room, people begin filing in a grand entrance and soon Marina Porter walks by, at this point the camera follows her to the front where it holds a distant view of the front of the hearings room (03:22:53) Shot suddenly switches to the committee and crowd from the back of the gallery, the hearings are already in progress and Porter is questioned by an unidentified committee member, the sound is pretty faint at this point, Porter's words are hard to make out - Porter is being asked if she ever met of any of Oswald's friends upon coming from the Soviet Union to Texas, if Oswald read Russian books in the Soviet Union, if Oswald ever discussed politics - the shot is not very steady, the camera person after a while decides to move up to the front of the gallery (03:25:00) Porter is asked if she ever heard Oswald speak with anyone about assassination - Porter answers no - Porter is then asked about Oswald's relationship to Russians around Fort Worth, Texas (03:25:46) Sudden shot change and skip in footage - the shot now is from a back corner of the gallery, the sound is still very faint (03:26:07) Again sudden shot change, now the shot is in front of Porter, she is sitting at the witness table with her translator, behind her at a table and behind her in the gallery are the press and other people - the sound if fuzzy - the camera cannot settle on a shot and meanwhile Porter is asked when she first saw Oswald's rifle if it had a scope on it - Porter answers she cannot recall, she is then asked several other questions about the scope and Oswald's ammunition, some of the answers to which are hard to make out because of the bad sound (03:28:10) Porter is asked about Oswald's handling of the rifle in the New Orleans apartment - Porter tells the committee Oswald would sit out on the porch with the rifle, she can give no other details as she did not stay out there with him and was told by him "to leave him alone" during these times - Porter is asked other questions about Oswald and the rifle all of which she answers that she can't recall - Meanwhile the sound has greatly improved and the shot has settled on a good close up of Porter (03:30:33) Porter is asked if Oswald ever went out with the rifle - Porter says that several times he would go out with the rifle under a long rain coat and tell her that he was going out target shooting, she tells the committee he would be gone for a few hours and that he would tell her that he was taking the bus to a shooting range (03:33:35) Porter is asked how Oswald was behaving the week before April 10, 1963 when Oswald was alleged to have shot at General EDMUND WALKER in Dallas - Porter says that she cannot remember exactly, it being so long ago, but that Oswald's personality was constantly chainging, sometimes he was reclusive, other times would be hostile towards her - further questioning is cut off as the tape flies into hyper-speed
JFK Assassination HSCA Hearings
House Select Committee on Assassinations hearing on the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Committee Chief Counsel G. Robert Blakey discussing witness Virgie Baker. Blakey introduces JFK exhibit F-651, Baker’s statement to the FBI. Baker was standing across the street from the Texas School Book Depository when she heard the shots. Baker thought the shots came from the direction of the triple overpass, and when looking that way Baker presumed she saw a bullet bounce off the pavement. Blakey introduces JFK exhibit F-652, Virgie Baker’s testimony before the Warren Commission. Warren Commission Counsel Wesley Liebler asked Baker where the noise she heard came from; Baker thought the noise she heard was close to the underpass. Liebler questioned Baker in respect to the bullets she saw. Baker saw the impact on the curbside of the street, opposite from the side of the Texas School Book Depository, adding that the impact was approximately in the middle of the lane. Baker thought the impact was behind JFK's car. Blakey discusses content in the Warren Commission’s record regarding “suspicious” activity around the Grassy Knoll: footprints by the fence; an individual who identified himself as Secret Service, when no agent was supposed to be in that area; and activity that could be called “flight,” but the fact remains that no one gives credible testimony that they saw anyone with a rifle around the fence at the time of the assassination. In the absence of credible testimony or hard evidence to support the theory of the “Knoll shot,” the Warren Commission concluded the shots came from only one place, the Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald worked.