LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
12.08.29-DUKE in studio. Comments that more than twice the usual number of REPUBLICANS voted for the FARM BILL. REPUBLICANS also closed ranks with REAGAN on FOREIGN AID to save REAGAN from embarrassment. 12.09.01-Shot of Rep. JOHN ROUSSELOT (R-CA), seated in an office, scornful of general concept of FOREIGN AID. Shot of large bags of GRAIN being craned off a ship. Shot of piles of GRAIN in bags on dock. Shot of group of Sub-Saharan African villagers (ethiopian or sudanese?), receiving grain. Shot of African men loading loose grain into sacks, throwing sacks in back of a truck. Pan of AFRICAN VILLAGE, villagers cluster around a food truck. Shot of REAGAN entering a press conference in White House. Shot of Rep. EDWARD DERWINSKI (R-IL), says that becoming PRESIDENT usually tends to make one more generous with FOREIGN AID. Shot of AL HAIG entering HOUSE CHAMBER to pitch for FOREIGN AID. Shot of Rep. DERWINSKI in well of HOUSE, arguing that REAGAN as president is working with the realistic facts of the world today. 12.10.37-Shot of Rep. JERRY LEWIS (R-CA), giving a very liberal-esque speech about helping fix the problems of the people of the world. Shot of Rep. PETER PEYSER (D-NY) responds that the DEMOCRATS have been saying the same thing for years. Shot of JACK KEMP in debate, pleading for REPUBLICANS to vote to sustain funds for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. Shot of Rep. ROUSSELOT, arguing that IDA loans are always default, bad investment, blah blah blah. Shot of JACK KEMP butting heads with ROUSSELOT, Shot of ROUSSELOT in office, saying KEMP got stuck supporting the REAGAN ADMINISTRATION position against his own beliefs. 12.13.59-DUKE in studio. Notes that REPUBLICANS give more support to REAGAN on foreign aid than they gave to JIMMY CARTER. Discussion with ROBERTS/WERTHEIMER of the end of the session-MODERATE REPUBLICANS started to break away from CONSERVATIVES at end of session. Newcomers in Congress played a role, many newcomers very CONSERVATIVE, also inexperience makes it easier for REAGAN. 12.16.21-DUKE intro report on OIL INDUSTRY MERGER, with MOBIL seeking to buy out MARATHON. 12.16.46-Shot of crowd of people on street in FINDLAY, OHIO, carrying signs supporting MARATHON OIL. High School marching band wearing MARATHON logo caps. Shots of DEMONSTRATORS at MARATHON headquarters, opposing merger. DUKE v.o.-MARATHON a relatively civic-minded company, big supporter of local institutions. DISCUSSION of FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION efforts to stall merger, MOBIL'S efforts to evade FTC rules. 12.18.18-Shot of Sen. BOB PACKWOOD in committee, says he doesn't like MOBIL'S tactics in merger effort. Shots of JOINT COMMITTEE to investigate MOBIL'S acquisition practices, concern about slackness of the FTC under REAGAN ADMINISTRATION. Shot of AL GORE (then a congressman), says that REAGAN'S FTC was acting as a flunkie for MOBIL to the point of actually helping Mobil plan a strategy to avoid antitrust regulations. Shot of Rep. JOHN DINGELL (D-MI), calling the FTC'S actions inappropriate in MOBIL matter. Shot of THOMAS CAMPBELL, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSIONER, defending the committee's practices in a very convoluted and technical way. 12.20.03-Shot of Rep. CLARENCE BROWN (R-OH), introducing motion to bar largest 9 OIL COMPANIES from acquiring any other OIL COMPANIES in the top 20 to delay the merger until CONGRESS has a chance to examine it. Shot of Rep. BOB LIVINGSTON [R-LA], arguing that the bill is unfairly submitted. Shot of BROWN saying every Congressman knows the content of the bill, he would be happy to go ahead and vote. Shot of TIP O'NEILL slowly standing up. Shot of Rep. BROWN offering an extra minute to LIVINGSTON. LIVINGSTON, ever the diplomat, showing the graciousness that would have made him a fine speaker, tells BROWN to "take the time and shove it." Shot of TIP O'NEILL calling for voice vote, chaos ensues when O'NEILL declares the motion passed. (DUKE v.o.-eventual rollcall, motion passed to delay MOBIL merger 6 months) 12.21.36-DUKE-SENATE may or may not approve, it's certain that the OIL LOBBY will regroup to pressure SENATORS. Intro commentary. 12.22.08-Otis PIKE delivers commentary. Subject of CONGRESS taking longer and longer to finish its business-under Speaker SAM RAYBURN, House used to finish in September, now takes until mid-December. Wonders whether Congress doesn't drag it's feet to avoid going home and catching hell from constituents. 12.23.56-DUKE-signs off. Shot of TIP O'NEILL lighting the CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE. Closing credits/WETA CREDIT/Sponsor Credit/PBS ID. 12.26.07-OUT.