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ROBERTS-summarizes the probable resolution of the case against Watt. DUKE-Debate over a bill to eliminate BUSING for purposes of RACIAL INTEGRATION in PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Debate over extension of 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT, REAGAN ADMINISTRATION wants to weaken the HOUSE bill.
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Shot of Sen. PAT MOYNIHAN (D-NY) in press conference, says that Senate must do its work and pass the bill without the changes that REAGAN wants. Shot of Sen. JOHN HEINZ (R-PA), says issue is "quality and equality". Shot of Sen. ERNEST HOLLINGS (D-SC), says he used to be a Segregationist, but now he's totally behind the law, says he advocates a straight vote in the Senate without a lot of maneuvering and trickery. DUKE v.o.-CIVIL RIGHTS advocates fear that the Senate may vote against keeping some provisions of the bill (stronger and easier enforcement against VOTING RIGHTS violations). Shot of Sen. JOE BIDEN (D-DE) in office meeting with Civil Rights group, says he can't commit to the exact language that the group wants, shot shows two black women looking dismayed at BIDEN'S remarks.
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Shot of a copy of the bill, pull back to show the bench of the SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. DUKE v.o.-REAGAN opposed to section of bill that allows prosecution against local election boards if EFFECTS of their practices are discriminatory-REAGAN of course insists that INTENT to discriminate must be proven. Shot of ORRIN HATCH (R-UT) chairing the committee. HATCH in office for interview, says that INTENT to discriminate must be proven, and says most legislators are too intimidated by CIVIL RIGHTS groups to vote against bad bills. HATCH doesn't want to alienate minorities, says that the bill will actually hurt minorities. Shot of BENJAMIN HOOKS (NAACP), says that HATCH'S arguments are unfounded. Shot of Committee hearing.
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Shot of WILLIAM FRENCH SMITH (Attorney General) testifying to Committee, says the changes in the House bill would force sweeping changes in the political system by mandating "proportional representation" in all local governments along racial lines. Shot of TED KENNEDY on committee bench, jousting with SMITH. Shot of members of CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS testifying to committee. Shot of HAROLD WASHINGTON (D-IL, prior to being elected Mayor of CHICAGO), argues that the EFFECTS of discrimination are serious enough that difficult process of proving Intent is unnecessary. Shot of Assistant Attorney General BRAD REYNOLDS testifying, says the act will encourage QUOTAS. Shot of ORRIN HATCH, looking terrified at the prospect of "quotas", agrees the bill is bad, recesses committee.
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DUKE-discusses the prospects of the bill in committee and before full SENATE. WERTHEIMER-intro report on REPUBLICAN infighting, violation of "REPUBLICAN 11TH COMMANDMENT: Never Speak Ill of Another Republican" as the REAGAN BUDGET gets bogged down in Congress. REPUBLICANS also being divided on FOREIGN POLICY and EL SALVADOR.
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Shot of Rep. JIM LEACH (R-Iowa), speaking in Committee, says that Americans do not want to get involved in EL SALVADOR, and the President's policy hurts BIPARTISANSHIP on FOREIGN POLICY, jeopardizes REPUBLICANS' chances in the fall elections, and diminishes the Presidency itself, says U.S. MILITARY ADVISORS should be withdrawn from EL SALVADOR. Shot of Secretary of State AL HAIG testifying, says that since EL SALVADOR is being plagued by "external intervention" [presumably of the bad, Red variety], the presence of 50 U.S. MILITARY ADVISORS [Fort Benning torture instructors] is reasonable, and has been successful, notes that Salvadorian forces are being trained in the U.S. [i.e., FORT BENNING "SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS"-HAIG is not specific on what goes on there]. Rep. LEACH asks if HAIG is serious that the advisors are doing enough good to balance out the perception of the rest of the world that the U.S. is intervening "in a colonialist fashion" and complicit in HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. HAIG says that the Administration should be guided by "what's right, not by what the rest of the world thinks", says that no WITHDRAWAL of ADVISORS from EL SALVADOR is imminent.
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ROBERTS-intro commentary. Commentary, by Charles McDOWELL, says that the WATT affair is deepening, suggests that WATT is valuable to ENVIRONMENTALISTS in Congress as a symbol, Congress should be careful about pushing him out of office and leaving themselves with no symbol of ENVIRONMENTAL RECKLESSNESS to rail against.
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DUKE-signs off Closing credits/transcript order info/WETA credit/sponsor credits/PBS ID