LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "THE LAWMAKERS"
LAWMAKERS
PAUL DUKE, LINDA WERTHEIMER, COKIE ROBERTS in studio, DUKE v.o.-on program-SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR confirmation hearings, BUDGET debates in HOUSE, Florida Rep. CLAUDE PEPPER turns 81, fights for SENIOR CITIZEN issues.
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Title sequence - "The Lawmakers".
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DUKE in studio. After end of CONGRESS recess, CONGRESSMEN finding that the REAGANOMICS package was not working, causing political panic for legislators that endorsed the plan. SENATE held CONFIRMATION HEARINGS for SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR. WERTHEIMER introduces report on O'CONNOR, describes her demeanor as calm, cool, circumspect. Guest analysis by former SUPREME COURT justice Abe FORTAS. Color video still of JUSTICE FORTAS in office. FORTAS discusses the CONFIRMATION process as a grueling one, but necessary and good, one never knows what kinds of questions will come up, what political agenda will be advanced.
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Shot of SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE hearing room from back of audience. Close up of Sen. JEREMIAH DENTON (R-Alab.), announcing his opposition to ABORTION as a factor in any consideration he makes. Shot of STROM THURMOND (Whig, South Carolina), interrogating. Shot of Sen. CHARLES MATHIAS (R-MD), asking if O'CONNOR has advocated major revisions of the CONSTITUTION. Shot of Justice FORTAS in legal chamber, says it's inappropriate for the SENATORS to try to pin O'CONNOR to any position she took as an advocating lawyer.
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Shot of O'CONNOR seated in hearing, Shot of Sen. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT), asks what the most important issue facing the court in years to come will be. O'CONNOR says it would be impossible to name any one issue, COURT hears all of them. Shot of a Senator asking for O'CONNOR'S view on ABORTION. Shot of O'CONNOR replying, somewhat nervously, that the resolution of issues before the court are matters of law, not of her beliefs. Shot of Sen. JOHN EAST (R-NC), also asks opinions on ABORTION. O'CONNOR responds, declines to advocate a particular policy on ABORTION. EAST continues to pound the abortion issue. O'CONNOR states that it is not appropriate for her to comment on ROE V. WADE since the case may be back before the court.
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Shot of WERTHEIMER interviewing Justice FORTAS, asks about O'CONNOR being the first woman on the court. FORTAS says it won't make any difference by virtue of the function of the court. Shot of O'CONNOR, claiming to be pleased to represent millions of other women, indebted to the talents of her predecessors in the field of law. Responds in good humor to a "what do you want on your tombstone" question from a Senator, "here lies a good judge".
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Shot of STROM THURMOND (Whig, SC), asking if O'CONNOR most wants to be remembered as a justice that "upheld the Constitution". O'CONNOR agrees that would be an apt epitaph.
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DUKE/WERTHEIMER in studio. Discussion of O'CONNOR'S performance. WERTHEIMER says SENATORS were likely very impressed, O'CONNOR one of calmest witnesses ever to sit before the judiciary committee. Few clues given about O'CONNOR'S potential votes as a JUSTICE, WERTHEIMER calls O'CONNOR a "shoe-in".