LAWMAKERS
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Introduction
Host Paul Duke states the Reagan administration seeks new support for its Latin American policies, but Congress is concerned about human rights abuses in El Salvador. Linda Wertheimer talks about another problem U.S. President Ronald Reagan has sent to Congress: Should schools which practice racial segregation receive tax exemptions. Cokie Roberts talks about "NEW FEDERALISM" budget cuts under attack. Title sequence.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - El Salvador
Low angle view of large chandelier in an ornate Senate Appropriations Committee room; pan down to host Paul Duke seated at long conference table. Duke introduces a report on military spending debates and reports the Secretary of State Alexander Haig told Congress that the U.S. will do whatever is necessary to stop the guerilla uprising in El Salvador. This may include aid to the El Salvadorean government. Congress has reservations about human rights abuses.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - El Salvador
U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) chairing Foreign Relations Subcommittee Hearing where Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Enders was called to testify; Duke, in a voiceover, calls Sen. Helms a supporter of Reagan policy in Latin America. Sen. Helms says that the reports of human right abuse is "orchestrated propaganda" by communist sympathizers, though some of it may be true. However, the Hemisphere must be defended against communism. U.S. House Representative Clarence Long (D-MD) presiding over a House Committee Hearing where. Enders seated as witness table. Rep. Long speaks on the complexity of the El Salvador situation, saying either the government is deceiving the public or is truly ignorant of the potential for "a bottomless pit of U.S. aid".
1982 - LAWMAKERS - El Salvador
Senate Committee Hearing with Enders sitting at witness table. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) asks Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Enders about the effects of cutting off foreign aid to El Salvador. Enders says that El Salvador would still be in civil war, but without U.S. aid, there would be more bloodshed and a victory for the insurgent forces. House Committee as seen from a gallery seat. U.S. House Representative William Gray (D-PA) discusses the atrocities committed by right wing D'Aubuisson regime, slaughtering of civilians, women, children, rapes. Enders admits that government security forces were responsible.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - El Salvador
U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) in Committee hearing saying that media reports of atrocities aren't balanced, claims that the rebels also commit slaughters of civilians and provides New York Times anecdotes, using Fidel Castro to prove his point. U.S House Representative Clarence Long (D-MD) chairing hearing. Two adult Caucasian men, sitting, speaking to each other. Rep. Long does not want to be an isolationist, but believes lessons of past foreign involvement must be learned, wonders how far the Reagan administration intends to go. Rep. Long compares El Salvador to a potential Vietnam; Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Enders sitting at witness table between two other adult Caucasian male government officials, one wearing military uniform. Enders discusses the threat in "our backyard".
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
Host Paul Duke says Congress is likely to become more involved in Salvadoran issues in coming months. He introduces a report on tax changes. Linda Wertheimer explains a controversy over a Reagan administration proposal for tax breaks for private schools that practice racial discrimination.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
Fountain at Bob Jones University in South Carolina. Young adult African-American male, but predominately Caucasian male and female students, on campus, walking, sitting on lawn, walking through school, in classroom being taught by adult Caucasian male professor; Linda Wertheimer, in voiceover, notes the college admits black students, but has rules against interracial dating or marriage.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
U.S. President Ronald Reagan admits that his proposal wasn't handled properly. Sam Donaldson, standing in press gallery, asking a question. Adult Caucasian male standing asking a question, President Reagan answering; Linda Wertheimer, voiceover, describing President Reagan's attempt to backtrack, says that all he wanted to do was prevent the IRS from "dictating social policies", and force Congress to establish a firm law to deny tax exemption to discriminatory schools. VS of President Reagan press conference where the President expresses his intentions behind the policy of school tax exemption and admission that he could have handled it better. Adult African American reporter standing and asking a question. Back of adult female protester walking on a D.C. street, carrying sign: "Freedom of Religion, R.I.P."; Wertheimer, in voiceover, notes President Reagan's stance upset both religious and civil rights groups. Adult African American woman leaving the podium as Benjamin Hooks approaches.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
Benjamin Hooks, speaking for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, says the effects of the tax policy are bad and racist and that the current policy is the law and should not be changed; adult African American and Caucasian men and women at the press conference. William Billings, of the National Christian Action Committee, states that their organization told Christians to vote for President Reagan because he was their friend. However the proposed bill makes them look like liars and the President look like a hypocrite. Capitol Dome seen through bare tree branches; zoom out to a small group of adult Caucasian male and female student protestors picketing on sidewalk. Male and female student protestors picketing out side Senate Office Building, carrying signs. Adult Caucasian female delivering large stack of mail to a female secretary in a Congressional office. Close-ups of letters addressed to U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS). Secretary on the phone and opening mail.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
U.S. Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) chairing a Senate Finance Committee Hearing, stating that the more he looks into the issue of tax exemptions and schools, the more difficult it becomes. Sarcastically, while he appreciates the White House sending him the bill, he's not sure he's willing to send anything back to the White House. Adult Caucasian man speaking to Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY). Sen. David Boren (D-OK) speaking, pressing the Reagan administration's commitment to civil rights. Deputy Treasury Secretary R.T. McNamar testifying at hearing, taking full responsibility, since he was out of town, for the manner in which implementation of tax exemptions for schools that do not prohibit racial discrimination took place; adult Caucasian men sitting with him. Sen. Moynihan appreciates his accountability, but notes that nowhere in his two page statement is the administration's repudiation of racial discrimination. POV of hearing from behind dais; door closing.
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".
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Tax Breaks and Racial Discrimination in Schools
Linda Wertheimer concludes the segment by stating that Congress appears to be distancing itself from the Reagan administration's position, offering a non-binding resolution at best, and welcoming the Supreme Court to settle the matter of tax exemption status and racial discrimination in schools.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - New Federalism
Host Paul Duke introduces a report on the Reagan administration's plan to transfer forty federal programs to the states, segues to Cokie Roberts who talks about "new federalism" and Congress waiting on the President to present his plan. Democrats believe this to be a distraction from federal deficits. Office of Management and Budget Director David Stockman, with his binders, takes his seat at a Senate Hearing. U.S. Senator Tom Eagleton (D-MO) expressing the Democratic view that "new federalism" is a diversion from pressing fiscal issues. Sen. David Durenberger (R-MN) responds by asking how the budget would get balanced without changing how the government works. Pan around the hearing room; zoom in to Stockman. Sen. John Glenn (D-OH) accuses Stockman of deceiving Congress and the American people. Stockman responds that they purpose of the hearing is on new federalism, that he does take issues with Sen. Glenn's opening statement, but attributes it to misunderstandings.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - New Federalism
Office of Management and Budget Director David Stockman speaking. Senate dais in hearing room; Cokie Roberts, in voiceover, notes the debate moved on to new federalism where the issue of equity was discussed. U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) telling Stockman that states need to be told about equities beyond four years. Stockman listening. Adult Caucasian men listening. Stockman saying the swap is equal for Medicaid and food stamps, and there will be no dollar losses for phase one. Cokie Roberts says fairness was another issue with the new federalism idea.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - New Federalism
Cokie Roberts interviews U.S. Senators David Pryor (D-AR) and William Roth (R-DE) on the idea of "new federalism" proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, shifting federal programs to the states, and asks whether Congress will go along with this. Sen. Roth likes the idea and wants to implement, but first they have to make sure no citizens are adversely affected by the change and that there is adequate financing. Sen. Pryor isn't opposed to the idea, but hopes changes can be made. Roberts asks about "adequate financing" in the face of repeated cutbacks. Sen. Roth emphasizes that new federalism is not about spending, but the role of federal government involvement with federal programs.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - New Federalism
Cokie Roberts interviews U.S. Senators David Pryor (D-AR) and William Roth (R-DE) on the idea of "new federalism" proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, shifting federal programs to the states. Roberts notes that many governors aren't happy with this plan, and would he have wanted this responsibility without the money. Sen. Pryor stress that new federalism is based on the assumption that when the federal government vacates an area to tax, the state governments can move in to tax. However, it is getting more difficult to raise any kind of local taxes. Roberts adds that programs are also being cut. Both Senators discuss ways the federal government can assist state governors; to give them the tools needed to complete the tasks.
1982 - LAWMAKERS - Editorial
Host Paul Duke introduces commentator Charles McDowell. McDowell, sitting in the House television control room, opines on the idea the Senate will soon allow television cameras into its chamber much the same way the House of Representatives already does. Duke feels the television cameras in the Senate will have to wait a bit longer, but the reporting will go on nonetheless. He signs off.