LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
03.23.59-ROBERTS in studio, intro profile of SYLVIO CONTE (R-MA). 03.24.25-Shot of CONTE in CHEF'S HAT, grating Parmesan, opera plays, compares making things happen in CONGRESS to cooking. CONTE removes lid of large tray of hot pasta. Shot of CONGRESSMEN entering a luncheon in CONTE'S offices. Shot of CONTE in a committee hearing. ROBERTS v.o.-CONTE supported first round of REAGAN budget cuts, but refused to support later cuts of SOCIAL PROGRAMS. 03.26.14-Shot of CONTE on HOUSE FLOOR, arguing vociferously against new BUDGET CUTS, says "These are the only antipoverty programs that are left. What do you want to do, hit [the poor] in the head?" Shot of CONTE in office, says that REAGAN ADMINISTRATION doesn't understand how CONGRESS works, wants to dictate to CONGRESS, Congressmen are elected to serve the people, have to be free to do the job. Shot of a traffic light at an intersection, pullback shows a bluecollar town street in western Massachusetts, pan over a small town hall and an old TEXTILE MILL. ROBERTS v.o.-most people who vote for CONTE are DEMOCRATS, CONTE is expected to vote for social programs. Shot of workers in a GASWORKS. 03.27.42-Shot of front of TOWN HALL in GRANBY, MASS., ROBERTS v.o.-only the real Yankee blueblood stock in Mass. Regularly votes REPUBLICAN, but CONTE wins anyway. Shot of man in a polling station casting his ballot. Shot of CONTE seated in office, says he thinks his constituents recognize his independence in Congress, says that three times he got nominated by both REPUBLICANS and DEMOCRATS in his district. Shot of DEER HEADS and a stuffed TURKEY on wall of CONTE'S study, also a rack of ANTIQUE HUNTING RIFLES. Shot of CONTE in heated debate in HOUSE, the CLERK seated behind CONTE is cracking up with laughter, CONTE gets more and more riled up over the cost of some canal program, another Congressmen jokingly asks him to yield, then asks CONTE to repeat himself. Draws applause. 03.29.21-Shot of another Congressman arguing against CONTE, CONTE goes ballistic in response. CONTE v.o.-he does tend to get out of hand in debate, but after it's over, he usually takes whoever he was debating back to his office for drinks. CONTE says he doesn't really get mad in debate, he just gives it his all, and after he's done, he usually laughs. 03.30.30-Shot of CONTE on field for CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME, CONTE wearing the uniform of the BOSTON RED SOX. ROBERTS v.o.-CONTE was the manager of the REPUBLICAN team in the baseball game, beat the DEMOCRATS. Shot of CONTE in RED SOX uniform, smoking big cigar. Shots of CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME, congressmen wear uniforms of their local MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS. CONTE v.o.-they sent too many "intellects" to congress, so the REPUBLICANS had a losing streak in the annual game. Shot of CONTE in office discussing a past brawl in the Congressional Baseball Game. 03.32.12-CONTE discussing changes in CONGRESS, says that there's more personal rivalry now, less sense of humor. 03.33.21-DUKE/WERTHEIMER/ROBERTS in studio-discussion of the power of the HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, and of CONTE AND WHITTEN as ranking members of the parties-all committees have to go through Appropriations to get their funds. Discussion of the time required to put a budget through committee. DUKE intro commentary by Otis PIKE. 03.35.27-PIKE with commentary on foreign aid-a political bombshell, TIP O'NEILL wants to force REAGAN'S increase in proposed FOREIGN AID to the floor, so either REPUBLICANS will be scared to vote for it, or the DEMOCRATS can use it against REPUBLICANS in elections. Ironic twists and turns of FOREIGN AID debate. 03.37.22-DUKE-signs off. Closing Credits (roll over shots of SYLVIO CONTE in chef costume, serving a luncheon to members of Congress)/transcript information/WETA credit/Sponsor credits/PBS ID. 03.39.37--OUT