LAWMAKERS - LM 099
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Show Topics"
Lawmakers opening sequence. Program host Paul Duke discusses how the upcoming election year of 1984 is affecting current politics of 1983 across the board. Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio will be reporting on environmental politics. Correspondent Linda Wertheimer will be reporting on school prayer. There also will be discussion of the political battle in the House over U.S. President Reagan’s proposed income tax cuts; U.S. Democratic Representative James Shannon (D-MA), who supports the tax cuts, will be the in-studio guest.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Environmental Politics"
Paul Duke introduces Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio for a report on environmental politics. Roberts discusses the strong opposition to President Ronald Reagan administration’s attempt to alter environmental laws. Congress has the goal of enforcing existing environmental laws. Roberts discusses the Environmental Protection Agency controversy and the ousting of EPA Administrator Anne Gorsuch Burford, leading the administration to pick a more favorable candidate.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Environmental Politics"
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator nominee William Ruckelshaus sitting before Senate Committee, U.S. Senator John Chafee (R-RI) talking of their support for Ruckelshaus. Ruckelshaus speaking before Committee, saying he wants to keep an open dialog and will be as helpful as he can. Cokie Roberts (VO) says Congress is glad to meet the new EPA Administrator after the turmoil surrounding Anne Gorsuch Burford, adding that Ruckelshaus will be watched carefully. Roberts interviewing U.S. Representative James Howard (D-NJ) in front of U.S. Capitol Building. Rep. Howard says he liked what Ruckelshaus stood for as the first EPA Administrator, adding he personally has met Ruckelshaus and likes what he has to say, but he will still have to be watched carefully. Roberts (VO) discusses the Clean Water Act.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Environmental Politics"
Lloyd Leonard of the League of Woman Voters strikes out against President Reagan’s proposed Clean Water bill, calling it a dirty water bill.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Environmental Politics"
Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio interviewing U.S. Representative James Howard (D-NJ) in front of U.S. Capitol Building. Roberts (VO) talks about the strength of environmental groups and their political clout with Congress. Rep. Howard discusses activeness of environmentalists in 1980 and 1982 elections. Roberts interviewing U.S. Senator John Chafee (R-RI) in office, discussing increased public interest in the environment. Roberts (VO) discusses Sen. Chafee’s proposal to extend the current Clean Water Act with a few changes. Chafee believes current Clean Water Act is a legislative success story, discusses river pollution and the polluted Cuyahoga River lighting on fire in Cleveland, Ohio. Two Caucasian adult men and a woman fishing on Potomac River, one holding up a fish. Chafee (VO) discusses cleaner rivers and increased recreation. Roberts (VO) discusses the once-polluted Potomac River. Multiple people fishing and boating on Potomac. Young adult Caucasian man and woman canoeing on Potomac.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Environmental Politics"
U.S. Representative James Howard (D-NJ) discussing bipartisan support for proposed Clean Water Bill. Cokie Roberts (VO) says environmentalists support the House bill but also are OK with the Senate bill. U.S. Senator John Chafee (R-RI) believes both pieces of legislation are well issued. Back in television studio with program host Paul Duke, Roberts closes report on environmental politics, saying Republicans have said the Reagan administration has become irrelevant on the Clean Water Bill.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Taxes"
Program host Paul Duke introduces taxes segment with guest U.S. Representative James Shannon (D-MA). Duke discusses House Speaker Tip O’Neill’s proposal to put a $700 limit on the year’s final installment of Reagan’s income tax cut. O’Neill believes the reductions greatly benefit the rich. Duke says the Democratic-controlled Ways and Means Committee approved the ceiling by an 18 to 15 vote, with most Democrats voting "yes" and all Republicans voting "no." Duke asks Rep. Shannon if the Democrats are risking a political backlash by pushing for a tax increase when economic recovery is getting underway. Shannon says it can always be bad politics to push for tax increase, but once in a while tax increases are needed. Shannon says the alternative to having a tax bill now is more budget deficits and the risk we lose economic recovery, with higher unemployment and higher interest rates. Shannon says it would be irresponsible not to move now. Duke asks if voters will see it differently, quoting Representative Jack Kemp that “the Democrats will be charged with taking the goodies away from the people." Shannon says most people know that Kemp was part of the disastrous 1981 Reagan tax cuts, adding that most taxpayers did not see a real tax reduction. Shannon says voters understand taxes must be raised one way or another, that voters would rather see Democrats raise taxes fairly. Shannon discusses President Reagan’s proposed tax raises on energy and surtaxes. Shannon says we need to pick up equity in our tax system now. Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio asks if equity was what Treasury Secretary Donald Regan was talking about when he met with Congress, that Secretary Regan said a $700 cap would be unfair to the middle class. Shannon says Regan won’t be able to convince anyone that the $700 cap will hurt the middle class because it doesn’t.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Taxes"
Host Paul Duke asks U.S. Representative James Shannon (D-MA) if Democrats are risking the loss of the fairness issue by raising taxes, since Secretary of the Treasury Donald Regan said Democrats are now being unfair. Rep. Shannon does not think Regan will be able to convince anyone a $700 cap on tax cuts is unfair because most tax payers know they won’t get to $700 on this tax cut-- it will only affect the 10% of taxpayers above the $45,000 range. Shannon thinks the alternative will be a bad economy for everyone and that people are not stupid, knowing that we have problems and they want to see fair solutions. Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio asks if Democrats are worried people will see the cap on tax cuts as a tax increase. Shannon says the cap will be a tax increase because for some taxpayers it will be an increase over what they would have had if tax reductions were left in place. Shannon says the question of fairness concerns the whole economy; some of the concerns of the Ways and Means Committee expressed was that 6 billion dollars will not be enough and they might have to go back later on, so it might be better to do everything at once instead. Shannon thinks there is a real consensus in the Democratic party; there is a differing over strategy, but on tax policy the majority of Democrats favor the cap. Roberts points out that Shannon himself expressed concern over a cap on tax reductions backfiring. Shannon says any tax bill has potential for backfire but thinks this tax bill is very justifiable that he and other members of Congress can defend. Rep. Shannon says a poll of Democratic members was taken and they all felt a revenue increase was in order and could be justified in the face of deficits.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Taxes"
Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio discusses taxes with U.S. Representative James Shannon (D-MA), refers to flat tax or graduated fair tax plan proposed by Senator Bill Bradley and Representative Dick Gephardt, asking if it will go anywhere in the current political climate. Rep. Shannon says the demand for tax simplification will increase and thinks the Bradley-Gephardt bill will be adopted in the next couple years, that people know the wealthy take advantage of many tax breaks while the working class cannot, creating a demand for such a simplified tax program. Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio asks if the full Congress and President Reagan will pass a reduction to the third-year tax cut; Shannon says it's hard to say whether Reagan will ever sign the proposed tax legislation, but if a budget is approved calling for $12 billion in additional revenues, it will have to come from somewhere, so the cap on tax cuts might look more attractive to Republicans than the alternatives. Paul Duke asks if the proposed cap on tax cuts is more of an academic exercise because President Reagan has said he will not except any tampering with his tax cutting program. Shannon says he was worried, but due to timing he believes the proposed legislation will be a catalyst for this year’s tax bill.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "School Prayer"
Program host Paul Duke introduces Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio, who reports on school prayer. Wertheimer discusses U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Judiciary Sub-Committee on the Constitution Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and his role in the possible reinstatement of prayer in public school.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "School Prayer"
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) discussing his religious convictions and Mormon faith, talking about reciting the Lord’s prayer in school as a boy and witnessing no objections to it. Sen. Hatch seated at table with wife and children, praying. Hatch says he associates with people of various religious faiths with deep-felt convictions. Hatch reports that polls state 80 percent of people would like to see prayer restored to public schools. U.S. Supreme Court Building. Linda Wertheimer (VO) discusses the Supreme Court decision to ban prayer in public schools (Engel v. Vitale 1962), citing a violation of the First Amendment. Senator Hatch says he disagrees with the Court’s decision to ban prayer in public library. Hatch says the Court should not legislate from the bench and leave legislation to elected officials. Senator Hatch posing for photos with U.S. Senators Strom Thurmond (R-SC) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Wertheimer (VO) says as Chairman of the Constitution Sub-Committee, Senator Hatch is in a good position to bring prayer back to schools.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "School Prayer"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan speaking before Joint Session of Congress, calling for Constitutional Amendment to permit voluntary school prayer: “God should have never been expelled from America’s classrooms in the first place”; U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill in BG. Congress applauding.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "School Prayer"
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) says he believes Mormons can accept any prayer because they believe in God and Christ, but doesn’t believe other faiths should have to abide by a set prayer in school. Senator Hatch at Committee Hearing, speaking with U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC). Linda Wertheimer (VO) says in hearings on school prayer, Hatch began to look at both sides and is moving toward compromise. Press pool watching Committee hearing. Hatch speaking at hearing, talking about those who want a strong school prayer amendment and those who want a bipartisan amendment. Exterior of public school building. Junior high school classroom, hanging U.S. flag, mostly African American male and female students; African American female teacher. Wertheimer (VO) says Hatch's amendment calls for a moment of silent prayer or meditation. Marc Pearl of the American Jewish Congress says any legislation to mandate prayer is an attempt to bring prayer back into schools. Senator Orrin Hatch says it's true a prayer is a prayer no matter what it's called, but says critics of the proposed school prayer legislation were on the other side to begin with and don’t want prayer in any way. Wertheimer (VO) says conservative groups usually in line with Senator Hatch are angry with him. Moral Majority sign on office door. Moral Majority Legislative Director Dick Dingman says Hatch's amendment doesn't address problems with Supreme Court decisions. Chairwoman of National Pro-Family Council Connie Marshner says "moments of silence" aren't enough, wants prayer to be accepted and done so publicly.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "School Prayer"
Special Assistant to the President for Public Liaison Morton Blackwell says President Reagan's amendment on school prayer being re-introduced in the classroom is better, and he wishes the bill be passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) says he cannot see the issue through a parochial, narrow-minded perspective; he accuses both the left and right of being guilty, which allows for no deviation or compromise. Sen. Hatch going through buffet line. Two tables of adult Caucasian men eating and talking; Sen. Hatch sitting with Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA). Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ) says Hatch's plan is practical as a way to get some prayer legalized in schools, but for those who want to stand on principle, raise money, and stick with the President's bill, they can do so, but they will not have results to show for it. Chairwoman of the National Pro-Family Council Connie Marshner says Hatch likes to write bills that will get a lot of votes. Sen. Hatch says his amendment has best chance of passing, will do more for the cause of bringing religious values to schools; says he is a great believer in getting what you can if you can't get it all. Correspondent Linda Wertheimer notes that Sen. Hatch is taking the same kind of approach on other bills and constitutional amendments, such as the issue of abortion, scheduled to be debated upon in the Senate.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Congressional Pay"
Program host Paul Duke introduces Otis Pike commentary on Congressional pay raises. Pike notes how both houses of Congress are not happy with how much the other makes, especially outside of their duties as representatives, and the public is not happy with either House trying to give themselves a pay raise. Pike cites several examples of Senator Henry Jackson (D-WA) trying several amendments for a balance between pay raises and limits on outside earnings, with the only one passing allowing Senators to make no more than 30% of their income on outside speeches. Senators now can make even less than their House counterparts, making Sen Jackson an unpopular man in the Senate. Duke adds that Jackson offered up one more amendment to soften the cutback to where Senate and House members can make roughly the same amount.
LAWMAKERS - LM 099 - "Show Close"
Program host Paul Duke signs off, NPR correspondents Linda Wertheimer and Cokie Roberts, and U.S. House Representative James Shannon (D-MA) seated in studio. Closing credits over image of sunset over Capitol Dome.