LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 6/09/1983 IN 19.59.20-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 20.00.14-PAUL DUKE/LINDA WERTHEIMER/COKIE ROBERTS-on program-HOUSE DEMOCRATS attack REAGAN TAX CUT PROGRAM to try to reduce benefits to the RICH. The BUDGET continues to be heated debate. Controversy over ending aid to CONTRAS in NICARAGUA and the role of CIA COVERT ACTIONS in NICARAGUA. WERTHEIMER-the HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE session on issue was angry and polarized. 20.01.35-Clip of REAGAN address to Congress to push for LATIN AMERICA POLICY-assistance to EL SALVADOR and to CONTRAS. WERTHEIMER v.o.-REAGAN'S speech raised the tension in Congress. C/S REAGAN saying that CENTRAL AMERICA is key to U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY, implying that DEMOCRATS will be wrong to oppose his policies. Shot of HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE session, Rep. LEE HAMILTON (D-IN) arguing against COVERT ACTION in NICARAGUA, says it makes the U.S. look bad, the whole world knows what is going on. C/S Rep. HENRY HYDE (R-IL) says Congress should help people "fight for freedom", Communism is a Cancer. C/S Rep. STEPHEN SOLARZ (D-NY), questioning the motives of REAGAN'S policies, says that COVERT ACTION in NICARAGUA is not to prevent revolution in EL SALVADOR, but to overthrow the NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT, REAGAN refuses to work for peaceful solutions. Rep. GERALD SOLOMON (R-NY) gets up and leaves the room. 20.04.23-Committee chair CLEMENT ZABLOCKI (D-IL) reacts, asks if SOLOMON wants to insist on a point of order to break up the meeting. SOLOMON insists, says that the Committee is going to "sell the U.S. down the drain" by "abetting Communism". Storms out again. C/S Rep. TED WEISS (D-NY) says it's wrong for REPUBLICANS to question DEMOCRATS' patriotism because they disagree about policy. Rep. SOLOMON says that's not what he's doing, then he does it. C/S Rep. WILLIAM BROOMFIELD (R-MI), says he regrets the partisanship. C/S Rep. ROBERT GARCIA (D-NY), says the differences are that DEMOCRATS want LATIN AMERICA to determine it's own course. C/S Rep. LARRY SMITH (D-FL) the next day, says he's still angry about REPUBLICANS partisan tirades. 20.06.54-C/S Rep. GERRY STUDDS (D-MA), says REAGAN ADMINISTRATION has not been honest about COVERT ACTION in NICARAGUA, it's plainly oriented toward overthrowing the SANDINISTAS, a policy that will lead to war and mass bloodshed, not peace. C/S HYDE, says that REPUBLICANS do want "peace and self-determination", gives a specious statement that "Hitler would never have been defeated without covert aid" [referring no doubt to the covert World War conducted in total secrecy?]. Rep. SMITH says DEMOCRATS are entitled to disagree about how to oppose Communism in LATIN AMERICA. WERTHEIMER-DEMOCRATS won the vote to outlaw COVERT AID to NICARAGUAN REBELS. C/S Rep. ZABLOCKI, says this is the worst partisan debate in his 35 years on committee.