LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
01.14.30-ROBERTS-despite the action in committee, the HOUSE is not meeting very much. One member takes floor to complain about it every day. 01.14.53-shot of rostrum of House chamber, rep BOB WALKER (R-PA) taking podium in well. WALKER sarcastically summarizes the business the House has taken care of that week. Shots of WALKER in different suits, griping about the general sloth and complacency of Congress. ROBERTS v.o.--many of his colleagues view WALKER'S daily tirades as tiresome GRANDSTANDING for the T.V. CAMERAS, but he is so persistent that HOUSE LEADERSHIP had to ask for time to counter his charges. 01.16.14-shot of Rep. TOM FOLEY in well, says the PUBLIC shouldn't be deceived by WALKER'S tirades, discusses the large amounts of work done in committee. Shot of Rep. ROBERT MICHEL says the number of hours on the floor isn't the measure of Congress' work, insinuates that WALKER is strong on GRANDSTANDING but weak on behind the scenes work. Shot of Rep. ED de la GARZA (chair of AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE), says that he doesn't have time to eat a sandwich for all the work his committee does. Shots of Congressmen in debate in House chamber. ROBERTS v.o.-REPUBLICANS want to accuse the DEMOCRATS of being lazy so that the DEMOCRATS will work to put a BUDGET together, so the REPUBLICANS won't have to be tied to support of some of Ronald Reagan's less-than-popular budget priorities at election time. Shot of Rep. DAN COATS (R-Ind.), says that farmers have a hard time understanding why Congress doesn't do anything for them. 01.18.13-Shot of WALKER in debate, ripping DEMOCRATS for not addressing a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT for SCHOOL PRAYER and changes in BUSING laws. Shot of TIP O'NEILL with speaker's gavel. Shot of Rep. THOMAS HARTNETT (R-SC), says that if DEMOCRATS won't put forth a BUDGET for a vote, REPUBLICANS will demand votes on SOCIAL ISSUES [that could hurt DEMOCRATS with voters]. Shot of Rep. JUDD GREGG (R-NH), says that the "liberal leadership" is responsible for "nothing being done in this country". 01.19.31-DUKE/ROBERTS-DEMOCRATS are considering calling the bluff and bringing the REAGAN BUDGET, unchanged, to the floor for a vote to embarrass the REPUBLICANS, discussion of the BUDGET STALEMATE, rumors that REAGAN might start to compromise, since REPUBLICANS are nervous about political consequences. Intro interview of BOB DOLE by WERTHEIMER. 01.20.21-BOB DOLE seated in office for interview. DOLE says it isn't helpful to REPUBLICANS to have the BUDGET on hold, there's a need to establish parameters for the BUDGET. WERTHEIMER asks about the fact that REAGAN has been unwilling to compromise at all on his BUDGET. DOLE says that REAGAN must get involved, and provide leadership toward a compromise, says a STALEMATE on the BUDGET would be disastrous for everyone. WERTHEIMER asks about how DOLE will address REAGAN to get him to cooperate. DOLE says that the Congress has to be direct. Says he can't believe that REAGAN really believes his own public speeches about his BUDGET; REAGAN must know that no one in Congress supports his budget. DOLE doesn't criticize REAGAN'S handling of the BUDGET FIGHT, says it's Congress' fault for not having an alternative plan. Says that if Congress sits by, even the DEMOCRATS will eventually be hurt in November. 01.24.21-DUKE-intro commentary. Commentary by OTIS PIKE, subject of massive frustration in Congress, spilling over into the PANDAS in the NATIONAL ZOO who are having trouble mating successfully. 01.26.16-DUKE-comments to ROBERTS that the room they are sitting in, known as the "Board of Education Room", was where former Speaker SAM RAYBURN and his cronies used to drink bourbon all afternoon. Signs off. Closing Credits/transcript order/WETA credit/sponsor credits/PBS ID h 01.29.08--OUT