LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
01.11.15-Shots of walls of WHITTEN'S huge office, WHITTEN being interviewed, says he always wants to be knowledgeable about the issue, always communicative on issues. Shot of WHITTEN entering committee hearing. Shots of an agricultural lobbyist, says WHITTEN is impressively tough, intelligent, and patient to work through the tough bills. WHITTEN in his office, discussing his loose-reined style of leadership in committee. Shots of WHITTEN in debate in House. WERTHEIMER v.o.-WHITTEN'S staff gets the most respected Computer figures on the Budget of anyone in Congress. Shot of WHITTEN arguing for Congress to override a REAGAN veto of a BUDGET bill, says CONGRESS must act to preserve its independence. 01.14.05-WHITTEN in office, says he's disturbed by the way Congress is rolling over for REAGAN and forsaking its obligation to vote the people's interests. Series of old stills of WHITTEN. TOM FOLEY v.o.-disc. of WHITTEN'S career, changing styles of committee leadership. Shot of WHITTEN in office, says he adapts to the possible, leads the most effective way he can. 01.16.12-ROBERTS-intro report on Rep. SILVIO CONTE (R-MA), the ranking REPUBLICAN on HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. Shots of CONTE in CHEF OUTFIT, preparing ITALIAN FOOD for lunch, grating cheese, comparing making legislation to cooking. Conte opens lids on food trays, showing trays of steaming pasta dishes. Shots of congressmen coming in to eat a luncheon with CONTE. Shot of CONTE in a committee meeting, talking about making tough choices. 01.18.26-Shot of CONTE in debate, arguing against REAGAN'S cuts in SOCIAL SERVICES. Gets very angry, asks whether other REPUBLICANS want to "hit [the poor] in the head" while they're at it. Shot of CONTE in office, discusses the need for CONGRESS to protect its committee system, says REAGAN is wrong to try to circumvent the process and jackboot laws through congress. 01.19.38-Shots of a main street in MASSACHUSETTS small town, including front of a small TOWN HALL. ROBERTS v.o.-CONTE'S constituents are mostly DEMOCRATS, so CONTE has to defend social programs in Congress. Shots of WORKERS in a GASWORKS. Shot of sign over door of TOWN HALL of GRANBY, MA. Shots of voters inside, casting ballots. ROBERTS v.o.-despite DEMOCRATIC majority, CONTE regularly wins by big margins in Massachusetts. Shot of CONTE in office, says voters respect his independence, notes that three times, voters from both parties nominated him to run. Shots of GUN RACK and HUNTING TROPHIES on CONTE'S wall. Shot of CONTE going ape in debate, CONTE says he enjoys debating, believes in fighting hard for his issues. Shot of another Congressman calmly disagreeing with CONTE. CONTE responding even more angrily than before, pounding fist, red in the face, etc. Says that mostly at the end of the debate, he invites his opponents for a drink. More shots of CONTE getting riled up in debate. Shot of CONTE in office, says he enjoys "give and take". 01.22.46-shots of CONTE taking field as manager of REPUBLICANS in CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME, wearing uniform of BOSTON RED SOX. CONTE v.o.-says that lately too many "intellects" have come to Congress and the REPUBLICANS had a losing streak in the annual baseball game. CONTE discussing injuries suffered in the game, laughs. CONTE bemoans growth of partisanship and loss of collegiality in HOUSE, says new crop of Congressmen don't have that spirit, old-timers are important to give perspective and experience to new Congressmen. 01.25.34-ROBERTS-says CONTE will be back again, although some "old-timers" won't be back. DUKE signs off. Closing credits/transcript order information/WETA credit/Sponsor credits/PBS ID 01.27.29--OUT