LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 5/05/1983 IN 20.45.00-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 20.45.57-PAUL DUKE/LINDA WERTHEIMER/COKIE ROBERTS-on program-REAGAN ADMINISTRATION takes beating in Congress over FOREIGN POLICY, HOUSE votes to crack down on COVERT CIA OPERATIONS to aid the NICARAGUAN INSURGENCY (CONTRAS) and endorsed a NUCLEAR FREEZE RESOLUTION. The SENATE was supportive of WILLIAM RUCKELSHAUS, REAGAN'S nominee to head ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. However, SENATE REPUBLICANS seem likely to endorse more DOMESTIC SPENDING than REAGAN wants. Intro RUCKELSHAUS story. WERTHEIMER-after the corrupt and controversial leadership of ANNE GORSUCH at EPA, RUCKELSHAUS has pledged to enforce the laws on POLLUTION. 20.47.18-C/S Sen. PAT MOYNIHAN giving GORSUCH a chewing out over her enforcement of SUPERFUND law. GORSUCH is not penitent. MOYNIHAN asks why REAGAN administration keeps reducing funds for enforcement, ostensibly with GORSUCH'S approval. M/S WILLIAM RUCKELSHAUS taking seat to testify to committee. C/S Sen. ROBERT STAFFORD, C/S Sen. JENNINGS RANDOLPH [D-WV], both say that RUCKELSHAUS must make clear that he is going to enforce the ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. WERTHEIMER v.o.-GORSUCH'S administration embarrassed REPUBLICANS, who have been hurt by the public's concern for the ENVIRONMENT, DEMOCRATS also pleased by the change at EPA. C/S Sen. GEORGE MITCHELL (D-ME) praises RUCKELSHAUS'S integrity and credentials. Sen. JOHN CHAFEE (D-RI) concurs. C/S RUCKELSHAUS testifying, v.o.-RUCKELSHAUS was fired from JUSTICE DEPARTMENT by NIXON when he refused to fire ARCHIBALD COX as WATERGATE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR when COX was getting too close to the truth. 20.49.55-C/S Sen. HENRY JACKSON (D-WA), says he can't believe that RUCKELSHAUS is willing to leave private job to head the EPA. C/S Sen. DAVID DURENBERGER (R-MN) says it's fortunate that RUCKELSHAUS is willing to go back to the public service sector, hopefully he drove a hard bargain with the White House. Sen. STAFFORD asks RUCKELSHAUS about assurances of INDEPENDENCE from WHITE HOUSE. RUCKELSHAUS says he has all the assurance possible. WERTHEIMER v.o.-RUCKELSHAUS' employment with WEYERHAUSER LUMBER is a concern for ENVIRONMENTALISTS. C/S RUCKELSHAUS pledging to be active and dilligent in enforcing ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. M/S GARY HART, says he doesn't trust REAGAN'S commitment to the environment. RUCKELSHAUS insists he will proceed without being bound by Reagan. 20.52.35-DUKE-discussion of other REAGAN ADMINISTRATION agenda on Capitol Hill. ROBERTS-House approved a NUCLEAR FREEZE RESOLUTION that REAGAN had opposed. Despite the 2-1 margin, opponents satisfied with weakening amendments, but REAGAN still opposed to NUCLEAR FREEZE idea, Senate likely to defeat it. WERTHEIMER-HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE has voted to CUT OFF funds for COVERT OPERATIONS in NICARAGUA. SENATE REPUBLICANS also giving REAGAN problems by disagreeing with DOMESTIC SPENDING and TAX POLICY. DUKE-intro report on UNEMPLOYMENT, still 11 MILLION unemployed, many without HEALTH INSURANCE.