LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Budget Cuts"
Linda Wertheimer notes Congress is adopting $13 billion in cuts for food stamps, retirement benefits, and farm subsidies. She also notes that both the House and Senate approved the largest defense spending bill in peacetime history. The House passed a bill to transfer some defense funds to temporarily pay for Social Services, but Rep. David Stockman (R-MI) has urged President Reagan to veto the bill. House Republicans are divided. Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA) in debate in the House of Representatives; says that true soldiers will lose a paycheck temporarily, and the President will veto the bill, so Congress should understand the bill fully before voting.
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Budget Cuts"
Rep. Bob Walker (R-PA) asks Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA) to clarify. He says the facts are that the bill costs less than Reagan's limit, so it's not a "budget buster." Walker says that President Reagan will veto the bill and Congress should just cave in to him. Conte says he doesn't know what Walker is talking about, tells him to say something constructive. Walker repeats that the President is just going to veto the bill anyway. Conte denies that that's a fact and slyly accuses Walker of not caring about the elderly and handicapped kids, which elicits laughs and jeers from Congress. Walker repeats that the President is going to veto the bill, says that regardless of the facts Reagan will say the bill increases the deficit and make Congress look bad.
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Social Issues"
Hosts Paul Duke and Linda Wertheimer hold a discussion over the economic policy battle; the desertion of far right conservative Republicans from Reagan's side; and the fact that the deficit has made it easier for the President and his allies to cut domestic spending. Further discussion of those cuts and a discussion of Senate debate on "Social Issues", independent of pending bills, a forum that Senate Leadership had promised to conservatives-abortion, school prayer, and judicial philosophy. Wertheimer introduces report on former member of Congress by Cokie Roberts.
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Budget Cuts"
Cokie Roberts reports on former Congressman who's now a lobbyist for the budget debate. Shot of House Budget Committee, pan to portrait of former Chairman Robert Giaimo. Shot from 1980 of Giaimo chairing the Committee, bemoaning the fact that everyone is running to Congress for money and Congress doesn't know how to say "no." Shot of other Committee members affixing a sign reading "ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE" to the table in front of Giaimo. Giaimo in office, says the rotating chairmanship of the Budget Committee didn't give him incentive to stay in Congress. He didn't want to stay in Congress in 1981 if he couldn't be in a leadership position.
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Fiscal Responsibility"
Washington D.C. cocktail party; multiple former Congressmen announce that they now practice law. Robert Giaimo in an informational meeting about tax policy and the deficit. Werthiemer VO - Giaimo formed a group to lobby for smaller deficit, spends lots of time working on it. Giaimo speaking to a breakfast meeting of Congressional Budget Committees. Giaimo, in office, says people know he's lobbying because he thinks responsible budgets are important, not to serve an industry or an interest group. Still of a newspaper editorial written by Giaimo. Wertheimer VO -Giaimo's editorial became part of the budget debate. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) in debate in House, citing Giaimo's piece, arguing for spending cuts. Giaimo in Rep. Jim Jones (D-OK, Budget Committee Chair) office, giving him a letter urging reconsideration of Congress' initial rejection of the budget. Jones (VO) says that Giaimo's article, coming from someone outside of electoral pressures, helped Congress to focus on its responsibility to the country. Giaimo and others entering a hall for a "Budget Summit".
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Fiscal Responsibility"
Robert Giaimo speaking to group of economists, says that they have to put the facts out to "politically minded" Congressmen to ensure they understand how bad the deficit is; Rep. Delbert Latta (R-OH) at conference. Latta (VO) says Giaimo is in a nice position because he can argue to cut spending without political consequences. Latta standing in front of brick wall. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH), says Giaimo is fair, knowledgeable, and doesn't have any ax to grind. Wertheimer VO - despite credibility, Giaimo has lost influence by leaving Congress. Giaimo says it's hard to have to sit back and settle for having a mere citizen's influence; he appreciates the respect he still gets from former colleagues.
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "Budget Cuts"
Paul Duke says the benefit of being a former Congressman is that you don't have to take heat from voters. Intro commentary by Charles McDowell on Congress' behavior during the tax increase debate.
LAWMAKERS - LM 057 - "End of Program"
Paul Duke signs off. End of the show. Credits.