LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "Budget Alternatives"
Host Paul Duke notes the House of Representatives is recommending only half of the defense budget increases requested by U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Cokie Roberts introduces report on House Democrats meeting to come up with an alternative budget to the President’s.
LAWMAKERS - LM086 - "Budget Alternatives"
Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill speaking to press, says the budget is "moderate" but shows "growth" and "fairness." Cokie Roberts (VO) says, “The Democrats want to ride the theme of fairness all the way to the 1984 elections”; Democrats holding press conference. U.S. Representative Howard Wolpe (D-MI) in his office, says Democrats have to get used to making hard choices, that it's important to work together to set the choice boundaries. Rep. Wolpe in committee meeting, discussing the deficit; bar graphs on paper show the deficit over time; Cokie Roberts and Rep Wolpe (VO) giving background and purpose to the meeting. Rep. Wolpe says the survey was a positive step for getting Democrats to understand the parameters of tough political choices. Democrats want to stand for fairness and responsibility in government.
LAWMAKERS - LM086 - "Budget Requests"
Host Paul Duke and Cokie Roberts discuss the congressional budget initiatives. Duke moves on to the next issue: U.S. President Ronald Reagan also asking for $110 million increase in military aid to El Salvador.
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "El Salvador Aid"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan giving press conference in White House with chart of Central America on easel. President Reagan says guerrilla violence is threatening democracy in El Salvador and failure to stop the Communist insurrection will threaten neighboring countries and ultimately threaten Mexico. U.S. Representative Mickey Edwards (R-OK) says President Reagan’s speech could be compared to discredited "domino theory" from Vietnam era, but Reagan can go over the heads of Congress and to the people by going on TV. President Reagan shaking hands after a speech. U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) says Reagan will get more ill will from Congress for trying to bypass normal channels. U.S. Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) standing outside Capitol, says El Salvador is a political liability for President Reagan, which is why he wants to force Congress to share responsibility.
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "El Salvador Aid"
Congressman entering White House on rainy day; host Paul Duke (VO) says U.S. President Ronald Reagan is trying to reach a deal with Congress. U.S. Representative Jim Leach (R-IA) says President Reagan is threatening to send U.S. military advisers to El Salvador if Congress won't appropriate funds to train Salvadoran military officials in America. U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) chairing a Senate Committee hearing. Fred Ikle, Undersecretary of Defense, in Senate Committee hearing, providing testimony to Communist domino theory. U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) says the Administration is hurting its cause by making its rhetoric sound so much like former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s rhetoric in early stages of Vietnam buildup. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in office, says President Reagan hasn't changed his strategy in El Salvador in the past two years. Land reform is going nowhere, human rights violations by the Salvadoran government continue, and open conflict continue to increase.
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "El Salvador Aid"
U.S. House of Representatives committee session; Paul Duke (VO) says Congress is being asked to dramatically increase its commitment to Central America. U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz says there is reason to believe that U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s plans can work to ensure "well-being" of Latin American people as well as U.S. national security. U.S. Rep. Jamie Whitten (D-MS) in committee, says he voted for aid to El Salvador in 1981 to give it a chance to work, but since then the situation has gotten worse. Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA) says human rights violations have gotten worse, cites the murder of four nuns by the right wing government. Sec. Schultz says that one case is "deeply troubling." Rep. Clarence Long (D-MD) says he will keep his vote undecided to see if he can entice the Reagan administration to give some concessions. Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA) in his office, says it will be a difficult thing to pass. Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) says he thinks President Reagan will get El Salvador aid but only after a long fight.
LAWMAKERS - LM 086 - "End of Show"
Host Paul Duke signs off. Partial view of the Capitol Dome in the foreground.