LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
20.08.54-DUKE-House did endorse MX, but only by 13 votes. Senate MX DEBATE is being FILIBUSTERED by DEMOCRATS. ROBERTS-REAGAN'S appointment of KISSINGER to the CENTRAL AMERICA commission worries even REPUBLICANS it might be a political blunder. Intro report on REAGAN replacing leadership of CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION. WERTHEIMER-CIVIL RIGHTS advocates suspect that REAGAN wants to replace commissioners who have criticized his CIVIL RIGHTS record. 20.10.09-c/s CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSIONER MARY FRANCES BERRY, says she never would have accepted appointment if she knew that she would be fired for dissenting from the REAGAN line. C/S RALPH NEAS, a Civil Rights advocate, says REAGAN'S policies are threatening the independence of CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION. C/S REAGAN speaking, advocating the qualifications of his candidates for the commission. M/S of REAGAN'S past nominees to commission at confirmation hearing. C/S Sen. HOWARD METZENBAUM, says the issue is not the "qualifications" of the nominees, but the independence of the commission. C/S Sen. JOSEPH BIDEN, says that REAGAN'S actions have tainted the nominations and the commission. C/S Sen. PATRICK LEAHY (D-VT), arguing the independence of the commission is being weakened by REAGAN. 20.12.29-C/S BOB DOLE in committee, says Black and Hispanic groups have taken a knee-jerk reaction to all of REAGAN'S actions and doubt the President's sincerity regardless of the facts. C/S ORRIN HATCH, says it's ridiculous to have lifetime nominations to the CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION and to say that a President can never change the commission. C/S a nominee JOHN BUNZEL gives the standard "color-blind society" argument, implying that AFFIRMATIVE ACTION is responsible for holding back racial equality. C/S nominee MORRIS ABRAM giving the same line. WERTHEIMER v.o.-DEMOCRATS did manage to win a delay of the confirmation, because REPUBLICANS are wary of bad political baggage due to REAGAN'S CIVIL RIGHTS RECORD. 20.14.24-c/s NEAS, says he's never seen an administration as inept and self-defeating on CIVIL RIGHTS as REAGAN's, due to not listening to moderate elements. C/S MARY FRANCES BERRY, says it's an important "litmus test" of Senator's CIVIL RIGHTS priorities. Says that REAGAN ADMINISTRATION is out of touch with the realities that discrimination continues against minorities and women.