LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
20.10.51-ROBERTS-The SENATE has come up with a BUDGET proposal incorporating some TAX INCREASES, some DEFENSE CUTS, and FREEZE on DOMESTIC SPENDING, plus SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS. REAGAN has given blessing to the proposal, drafted by Sen. PETE DOMENICI (R-NM). 20.11.41-Shot of Sens. DOMENICI and WALTER MONDALE, joking around about the BUDGET DEBATE. Shots of SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE session, DOMENICI with big binder of pages. Shot of Sen. J.D. JOHNSTON (D-LA), asks whether the HOUSE and the PRESIDENT will approve the bill, is the SENATE just wasting its time. Shot of DOMENICI, says that the answers will be known sometime soon. JOHNSTON argues that REAGAN has been so intransigent that CONGRESS doesn't know what to do. DOMENICI doesn't have an answer to that. Shot of Sen. CHARLES GRASSLEY (R-Iowa), arguing that the budget debate is a time to make tough choices. ROBERTS v.o.-discussion of the political haggling in the Senate Committee over taxes and spending. Shot of Sen. ROBERT KASTEN (R-WI), says the TAX CUTS must continue. Shot of Sen. HOWARD METZENBAUM (D-OH), argues that the DOMENICI proposal will still hurt the poor. Shot of Sen. PAT MOYNIHAN (D-NY), says that the SENATE needs to get its business straight, because SENATORS come to the BUDGET COMMITTEE and argue for BALANCED BUDGETS and then go back to other Committees and vote for more spending on PORK. DOMENICI calls a vote on "self-denial rule" in jest. Members laugh. 20.15.40-Shot of REAGAN giving press conference on back porch of WHITE HOUSE, REPORTERS yelling their questions, mostly about SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS. REAGAN offers a confused explanation that the CUTS aren't really CUTS. Shot of HOWARD BAKER and BOB DOLE at a press conference. BAKER says the DEMOCRATS are too eager to attack the REPUBLICANS about SOCIAL SECURITY, that the plan is really reasonable and fair. 20.16.28-DUKE/ROBERTS-discussion of BUDGET DEBATE. DEMOCRATS surprised by the REPUBLICAN proposal, but now they know what to do to counter the REPUBLICANS. It doesn't mean the matter is close to resolution. DUKE intro report on FARM ISSUES. 20.18.11-Shot of TOM DASCHLE addressing press conference, holding a scrapbook of all the FARM AUCTION SALES in SOUTH DAKOTA in a month and a half. Says that farmers are going broke. Shot of a committee meeting, Rep. TOM HARKIN (D-Iowa) blaming REAGAN for the problems of FARMERS, says that FARMERS voted for REAGAN in 1980 and REAGAN has ignored them ever since. Shots of DEBATE on House floor, Rep. JAMIE WHITTEN (D-MS), says there's a depression going on in agriculture, that REAGAN'S policies are a lot like HOOVER'S. shot of Rep. PAT WILLIAMS (D-MT), says that all AMERICANS need FARMERS and their work. Shot of Rep. BYRON DORGAN (D-ND), says that REAGAN is refusing to meet with CONGRESS on FARM ISSUES. 20.21.13-Shot of Rep. PAT ROBERTS (R-KS), defends REAGAN'S concern for FARM ISSUES. Shot of Rep. BOB WALKER (R-PA), blames DEMOCRATS for the problems of FARMERS. Shot of Rep. GEORGE WORTLEY (R-NY), says that 1980's have not been easy for FARMERS, but REAGAN'S policies are going to bring about recovery soon. 20.22.17-DUKE-next week, a BIPARTISAN PANEL of CONGRESS will host a CALL-IN session for FARMERS to air their suggestions and grievances to CONGRESS. Intro report on bizarre resolutions passed by Congress. 20.23.04-Shot of a SQUARE DANCE CALLER, shots of SQUARE DANCERS. DUKE v.o.-Bill by Sen. ROBERT BYRD was to make SQUARE DANCING the National folk dance of the U.S.. Shot of HENRY HYDE (R-IL), proponent of SQUARE DANCING, jokes that "I'm pretty square to begin with". More shots of square dancers, the dance is intended to lobby HOUSE to vote for the SQUARE DANCING BILL. Shots of Rep. LEON PANETTA (D-CA) dancing and seated, says SQUARE DANCING is more fun than the BUDGET DEBATE. More shots of SQUARE DANCING. DUKE v.o.-the HOUSE didn't voted only to make SQUARE DANCING the national folk dance only for 1982, not permanently. 20.24.53-ROBERTS-intro commentary. Commentary by Otis PIKE on the treatment by CONGRESS of the FALKLAND ISLANDS issue, says that debate was inadequate and half-hearted, but definitely pro-British. 20.26.57-DUKE-signs off. Credits roll over shots of SQUARE DANCING. Closing Credits/transcript order information/sponsor credits/WETA credit/PBS ID. 20.28.50--OUT