LAWMAKERS
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Opening
Paul Duke, indoors, teases a story about the House of Representatives, deeply divided, "returns to the budget drawing board, hoping to find a way out of chaos, back to majority rule". Cokie Roberts, standing outside with the Capitol Building in the BG: "Black members of the House become rebels for their cause." Linda Wertheimer, sitting in rocking chair outside, looking down at camera: "We're in New Jersey for a Republican Primary...opponent says the race is a referendum on Reagan". Lawmakers title animation.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Budget Debates
Paul Duke, seated in front of long table, talks about the leaders of the House of Representatives trying to put together a budget compromise. Previous attempts had failed, with liberals balking at cuts to social welfare programs and conservatives balking at cuts to any military spending. No group could accrue the power to push anything through the House. U.S. House Majority Leader, Jim Wright (D-TX) speaking on the floor of the House, trying to find unity with the members of the House of Representatives. Rep. Lynn Martin (R-IL) speaking, emphasizing that one hundred million dollars "is a lot of money". Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) on the House floor, correcting an adult Caucasian male colleague, talking about eight billion, not million dollars. VS of Congressmen and women speaking, including Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA); man in the Speaker's chair banging gavel. Duke (o/s) notes that everyone wants something in or out of the budget that works for their poll numbers in an election year.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Budget Debates
U.S. House Representative Silvio O. Conte (R-MA) advocating employment at a time where unemployment rates are the highest in years. Rep. Earl Hutto (D-FL) speaking from the House floor bemoan the amount spent on military, but it necessary in order to negotiate from a position of strength. Rep. Ron Dellums (D-CA) advocating for a nuclear freeze, to "back away from the brink of nuclear disaster". Rep. Charles Schumer (D-NY) mockingly suggesting that every House members should put their budget priority on a banner, carry it to their district to claim integrity while the country "goes down the drain". Budget Committee Chairman, Rep. Jim Jones (D-OK) conceding that he's asking for tough budget choices at a bad time, to either raise revenue or cut benefits and spending. Rep. Jones says that unless there is strong support from the President on a plan of action, it's difficult to gather support. VS of adult Caucasian congressmen speaking forcefully; Duke (o/s) states it's easier to vote no.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Budget Debates
Adult Caucasian Congressman announcing final vote tally from the Speaker's Chair; bangs gavel after announcing the amendment's failure. Paul Duke (o/s) notes that amendments for popular programs in education and veteran's benefits passed easily. However, then came a controversial motion to restore funds for Medicare where Democrats added to their own budget, but did not help Republicans "sweeten" their plan; U.S. House Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Silvio O. Conte (R-MA) speaking. Rep. Conte angrily mocking and insulting a Democratic colleague; rude gesture. Adult Caucasian Congresswoman speaking from House floor; Duke notes Conte's anger subsided the next day when Democrats offered a motion to move money from defense to Medicare. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) advocating for Medicare. Rep. Earl Thomas Coleman (R-MO) speaking on House floor, supporting motion. Vote count displayed; Medicare motion passes. Sixty Republicans voted present to signal they favored deeper budget cuts.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Budget Debates
Adult Caucasian Congressman speaking; Paul Duke (o/s) explaining that more money for Medicare mean less for military defense causing conservatives to vote against the entire Republican plan. U.S. House Representative John Conyers (D-MI) speaking on the House floor wondering why the need to have to "work around the clock". Rep. David Obey (D-WI) being sarcastic by staying he doesn't mind staying overnight because "the debate is just so scintillating". Rep. Joel Pritchard (R-WA) wondering if detractors to the budget think they'll get any better deal to send to conference; voices say "yes" in BG causing laughter. Congressman in Speaker's chair bangs gavel; rostrum of adult Caucasian male and female clerks. Two different Congressmen speaking; Duke (o/s) notes that votes turned down a Democratic plan and a "middle of the road" plan. Rep. Obey states they are all "lousy budgets" and both parties have been "licked", but it is the duty of the House to pass a budget.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Budget Debates
U.S. House Minority Leader, Robert Michel (R-IL) speaking; Paul Duke (o/s) noting that eventually party leaders lost control of their "troops". Speaker of the House of Representative, Tip O'Neill (D-MA) speaking on the House floor, understands the frustrations of the House, but it will pale in comparison to the frustrations of the American people. He implores the House pass a budget to give the people hope. Budget Committee Chairman Jim Jones (D-OK) doesn't think the House will stay paralyzed. He believe the American people are asking for a truce, a reset to begin talking again. Paul Duke agrees and another round of budget committee meetings will prepare for a second round of battles on the House floor. Chairman Jones has suggest to U.S. President Ronald Reagan that the parties split the differences, but the President rejected the idea, still hoping for a conservative budget blueprint. Duke mentions other complications and segues to Cokie Roberts.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Budget Debates
Cokie Roberts, standing in front of the Capitol Building, introduces a report on factional divisions within each party on the budget. The Congressional Black Caucus was a driving force in getting Liberal Democrats to reject the budget proposed by party leaders, after the leadership dismissed the CBC budget. U.S. House Representative John Conyers (D-MI) speaking on the House floor, says that CBC members can't just "stick with Jones" after doing all that work, asks for some respect or criticism, demands to have debate on it. Walter Fauntroy, District of Columbia Delegate, comes to the House floor, calling the CBC budget "fair and humane". Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill standing on Speaker's Platform; Roberts (o/s) describing what was "fair and humane" to Fauntroy was considered "wild eyed and liberal" by 322 House members. VS of other adult African American congressmen in debate; Roberts (o/s) describes provision of budget-much less for defense, more for health care, unemployment.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Congressional Black Caucus
U.S. House Representative George Miller (D-CA), in office, says that he voted for the Congressional Black Caucus budget because its premise was about the programs important to Americans - children, education, elderly - were right, and it took priority away from "extravagant military spending". Cokie Roberts speaking with Rep. Miller; Roberts (vo) notes that Rep. Miller's district is 48 percent African American. Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), in office, says that the offhand dismissal of the CBC budget was a matter of racism, and thinks there a belief that only white men are capable of compiling documents or discussing philosophy. Black leaders are only expected to talk about welfare or food Stamps, and their exhaustive research on putting together a comprehensive economic document is dismissed. VS of CBC meeting; Roberts (o/s) states the CBC's desire to expand past the civil rights agenda to be effective legislators, and become a voting bloc with the ability to block legislation.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Congressional Black Caucus
Adult African American man holding up a news release from the Congressional Black Caucus. District of Columbia Delegate, Walter Fauntroy, chairman of the CBC, says that black voters are sophisticated enough to know that there are no simple "black issues" in the economy. U.S. House Representative Donald Edwards (D-CA) sits outside with Sheila Banks; water fountain in BG as Cokie Roberts (o/s) explains how liberals see the CBC. Rep. Edwards says he considers the CBC to be "the conscience of the House of Representatives", but says it's hard to then "get the votes". Rep. Parren Mitchell (D-MD) interviewed in office by Banks, says that the CBC members have a "messianic commitment" and the CBC, "a spiritual dimension", that makes it different from other interest groups in Congress. Roberts reports that the CBC has started to organize black voters in white-represented districts to ensure that white Congressmen feel some constituent pressure to listen to the CBC; Capitol Building in BG.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - New Jersey Republican Senate Primary
Paul Duke notes that economic issues also affecting Republicans, as New Jersey Republicans have a primary campaign for a Senate seat following U.S. Senator Harrison Williams (D-NJ) resignation following the Abscam scandal. Jersey Shore beach, mansions; adult Caucasian females on the boardwalk. Essex-Sussex luxury hotel; colonnade façade. Linda Wertheimer, sitting under the colonnades in a rocking chair, notes contrasts in politics, style between the Republican primary candidates. Jeffrey Bell speaking to voters on hotel porch; Wertheimer (o/s) providing background on him. Bell says that his victory will be a signal that people still believe in U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - New Jersey Republican Senate Primary
Adult Caucasian men and women, wearing graduation garments entering a building on the campus of Trenton State University. Middle-aged adult Caucasian male introducing U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) at a college graduation; Linda Wertheimer (o/s) provides brief background about her youth. Rep. Fenwick speaking to graduates, jokes about her age. Rep. Fenwick entering a building. Rep. Fenwick sitting in the New Jersey State Assembly chamber, recalling the start of her political career
1983 - LAWMAKERS - New Jersey Republican Senate Primary
U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ), sitting in the New Jersey State Legislature chamber ponders what more could be said about her accomplishments should she survive the primary and be elected to the U.S. Senate at her age, calling it "super geriatric triumph". Clip of 1978 Jeffrey Bell campaign film where he is shaking hands with adult Caucasian working men seating together for lunch. Clifford Case, seated in office, speaking to someone off camera; Linda Wertheimer notes Bell defeated in the 1978 Republican Primary. U.S. Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) socializing at same event with Bell; Wertheimer (o/s) notes that Bradley defeated Bell in general election. Bell walks down street to three adult Caucasian men, shakes then hands, then walks in to restaurant serving breakfast with them; Bell (o/s) says that he's been a committed candidate for a long time, before Rep. Fenwick, and that she has no new ideas or economic programs to offer.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - New Jersey Republican Senate Primary
Two adult Caucasian women eating breakfast adjacent to Bell speaking with men at his booth about interest rates; Wertheimer (o/s) says that Bell's idea is to let those who invented supply economics invent the corrections the economy now needs. Overview of candidate Jeffrey Bell sitting in a restaurant booth with two middle-aged adult Caucasian men, discussing the importance of interest rates. U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (o/s) says Bell is a true believer in supply side economics and the gold standard. Rep. Fenwick in N.J. State Assembly chamber, says that the Senate needs people like Bell who are believers in a program, but she is not an ideologue, and she wants to focus on what works. VS of Rep. Fenwick speaking to a room of adult Caucasian male and female voters; Linda Wertheimer (o/s) says the Rep. Fenwick is trying to keep politics local and personal. Adult Caucasian female standing and speaking to Rep. Fenwick.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - New Jersey Republican Senate Primary
VS of middle-aged and elderly adult Caucasian male and female voters say they're impressed with her honesty, candor, and sincerity. House of Representatives Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) standing with three other men; photographer in the FG.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - New Jersey Republican Senate Primary
U.S. House Representative Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ) discussing similarities with Doonesbury character Lacy Davenport, ends by saying "and she's comic, and so am I". Linda Wertheimer at Jersey Shore talking about the problem candidate Jeffrey Bell has running against Rep. Fenwick who can effectively use her charms and age as an asset; Caucasian males and females enjoying the beach in BG. Bell walking the boardwalk of Jersey Shore, introducing and shaking hands with groups of adult Caucasian females and males; Bell (vo) says that he won't rely on charm but on ideas to win. Wertheimer speaks to a Republican mayor who supports Bell because he's in touch with the mood of Republicans New Jersey and the nation's conservatives. Bell in a restaurant, says that if he loses, it will be written up as "an obituary for Reaganomics". Rep. Fenwick, seated in New Jersey State Legislative Chamber, says that this is not a national referendum on issues but a question of familiarity with Jersey voters.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Opinion Piece
Paul Duke says the New Jersey primary will be in June, and regardless of who wins, the Economy will be the biggest issue of the year. Intro. Commentary. Duke segues to commentary by Otis Pike, who laments the "purity" of the current Congress. Although he may have been a drunk, former Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn (D-TX) never would have let a budget stall in Congress. Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee may have been flawed, but he would not have allowed the nation's economy to "travel the bumpy road it is on". Congressional purity has cost the ability of Congress to make laws. Pike provides a rundown of passing a budget in the House of Representatives. Pike says that if instead of eight budgets, Congress got one budget, three Bourbons and a splash of branch water, the job would have gotten done. Duke, sitting on table, signs off.