LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 3/03/1983 IN 16.02.12-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence. 16.03.06-PAUL DUKE/COKIE ROBERTS/LINDA WERTHEIMER-the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, SOCIAL SECURITY, and the ECONOMY at heart of CONGRESSIONAL AGENDA for the week. WERTHEIMER-a bill for SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM passed the HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE with only three dissenting votes and moves to a floor vote. ROBERTS intro profile of JIM WRIGHT, (D-TX, House Majority Leader). 16.04.27-Shots of a fundraiser luncheon for JIM WRIGHT, Texas barbecue style. C/S WRIGHT discoursing on the range-riding origins of the barbecue. Shots of diners loading up on barbecue. Shots of WRIGHT gladhanding. A former Congressman marvels at WRIGHT'S ability to shake hands with everyone in the crowd. Shot of WRIGHT holding a harmonica, talks about learning to play from hoboes in a "Hooverville" in the Depression, starts to play. M/S of WRIGHT taking podium to play a c+w tune on the harmonica. C/S of two young boys (7 and 5 years?), say that WRIGHT is the boss of the DEMOCRATS in Congress. 16.07.14-M/S front of House chamber, O'NEILL giving floor to WRIGHT, C/S WRIGHT in well, taking the speaker's seat. C/S WRIGHT, says he took job thinking a majority leader should be "part parish priest, part evangelist, part prophet" to take care of business. M/S WRIGHT in meeting of new DEMOCRATS. C/S Rep. MICKEY LELAND (D-TX), says when he came to Congress WRIGHT'S accessibility and cordiality made a big impression on him, it's important to getting freshmen to act decisively. M/S of SPEAKER O'NEILL'S office, WRIGHT, TOM FOLEY, and O'NEILL. C/S WRIGHT in office, says he has to bridge many divides among DEMOCRATS to be an effective leader. 16.10.10-C/S Rep. CHARLES STENHOLM (D-TX), says WRIGHT manages to aggravate almost everyone in the party at some point. WRIGHT in office, says that this is part of the job. Tells anecdote about raising pheasants in his youth, says he feels like the hen trying to corral and control the young pheasants. Shot of meeting of CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS including PHIL GRAMM and CHARLES STENHOLM. ROBERTS v.o.-DEMOCRATS from WRIGHT'S own region broke from the party coalition in the last Congress to support REAGANOMICS. C/S WRIGHT in well of House, WRIGHT arguing that REAGAN is exceeding his rights to bully the Congress to support his plans. C/S WRIGHT in office, says 1981 was hard year, if he thought every year would be like that, he'd quit. C/S Rep. ROBERT MICHEL (minority leader) in office, says the DEMOCRATIC defeats of the last congress weren't WRIGHT'S fault, all the votes were closely contested.