LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Lawmakers title sequence. Host Paul Duke opens the show announcing a failure of bipartisanship on issues of immigration policy and foreign aid in the House of Representatives. However, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Capitol Hill leaders have reached on compromise on arms reduction. Introduces U.S. Senator William Cohen (R-ME) for guest commentary later in the show. Duke brings up the issue of airline industry regulation. Cokie Roberts introduces a report on airline deregulation and problems in industry after deregulation with Continental Airlines filing for bankruptcy and Eastern Airlines threatening to do the same.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Captain Henry Duffy, head of the Airline Pilots Association, saying there is no need for anymore deregulation and there needs to be a response from Congress or the Reagan administration. Panel of Continental Airlines officials at press conference. Frank Lorenzo, Chairman of Continental Airlines, September 24th, 1983, announcing steps to keep the company alive and healthy. Adult Caucasian males working at Continental ticket counter hands boarding pass to adult Caucasian male passenger; Cokie Roberts voiceover describes the steps taken, including filing for bankruptcy. Low angle view of Caucasian male child standing in line, adult African American male porter moving dolly. Announcement board at empty Eastern Airlines ticket counter: "Closed - Please call our reservations 393-4000". Eastern Airlines President Frank Borman, sitting on a desk, recording an address to employees on September 25th, 1983, telling the workers that they have to accept 15% pay cut.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Eastern Airlines airplane landing; small private airplane taxiing in FG. Airplane on approach for landing; Pan Am tail wing in FG; Cokie Roberts, in voiceover, describes woes of the aviation industry. U.S. Senator Mark Andrews (R-ND) says his support for airline deregulation was a mistake. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) says deregulation allowed market focus to prevail. Sen. Andrews notes regional flights cost more, such as a flight from Fargo to Minneapolis costing more than flight from Minneapolis to Washington after deregulation; map showing that point. Sen. Kassebaum doubts that it's wise to interfere with markets for the convenience of some people. U.S. House Representative Bill Clay (D-MO) argues that small communities aren't getting good service from the airlines, and Congress ought to re-regulate the airlines. Sen. Andrews notes that Republicans have a long history of regulation to protect consumers, starting with Teddy Roosevelt.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Congressional subcommittee hearing with U.S. House Representative Bill Clay (D-MO) chairing the hearing regarding bankruptcy at Continental Airlines. Witness for Eastern Airlines, Dr. Morton Ehrlich testifies that Eastern was against deregulation and predicted these consequences if it took place. Rep. Norman Mineta (D-CA) says that on balance, the aviation industry is doing better after some adjustments, and deregulation can't be blamed for all the bankruptcies. U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) compares the situation to someone who eats a whole box of candy and blames the person who gave it to them when they get sick. Rep. Mineta says that air fares have declined and consumers are winning. Close-up of Continental Airlines poster advertising lower fares.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Close-up of Continental Airlines poster advertising lower fares; Cokie Roberts, in a voiceover states airlines must try to cut labor costs to lower overhead. Two adult Caucasian male mechanics working under airplane wing. VS of adult men and women, Caucasian and African American, at the Continental Airlines ticket counter. Adult Caucasian male airline pilots walking in terminal. Pan from Continental ticket counter to picketing Continental airline pilots on sidewalk outside of terminal; Roberts, in voiceover, states Continental pilots are protesting bankruptcy, but all pilots are threatening a strike to push Congress to act. A uniformed pilot says the union wants re-regulation. Captain Henry Duffy, head of the Airline Pilots Association, says that the pilots will strike to raise awareness. Zoom in to the entrance of the Airline Pilots Association. Duffy says they are reluctant to offer ultimatums.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) doesn't think threats will work in this case and hopes for a compromise solution instead of a strike. VS of picketing adult Caucasian male pilots outside airport terminal; Cokie Roberts, in a voiceover, states that Congress isn't sure what do. U.S. House Representative Noman Mineta (D-CA) argues that airline deregulation will be positive in the long run. Sen. Kassebaum says "consumers" want both cheap fares and accessible service, but there is a conflict between the two. Sen. Andrews (R-ND) says he hopes Congress moves to re-regulate to serve the people. Roberts notes that one side effect of this issue is that Congress is now hesitant to deregulate any other industry.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Host Paul Duke introduces a segment surrounding the International Monetary Fund, passing it off to Linda Wertheimer. Wertheimer, standing in front of the Capitol Building, states the IMF bill is in limbo. While it has passed both Houses, no compromise has been reached due to a political battle.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Capitol Building. A letter from U.S. President Ronald Reagan to U.S. House Representative Tony Coelho (D-CA), Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman, urging support for the International Monetary Fund Bill. House Minority Leader, Robert Michel (R-IL) speaking in the House of Representatives on August 3rd, 1983, supporting the bill. Adult Caucasian Congressmen speaking, including Rep. Phil Gramm (D-TX); Linda Wertheimer, in voiceover, notes the narrow passage of the bill with an amendment, proposed by Gramm, that the President opposed. Gramm speaking about his amendment to forbid loans to communist countries. National Republican Congressional Committee Press Release condemning the vote. Rep. Howard Wolpe (D-MI) couldn't believe the NRCC letter given that he was voting as the President wanted. Rep. Coelho takes issue with the NRCC letter, says calling someone a "communist sympathizer" is assault on their character.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
U.S. House Representative Silvio Conte (R-MA), in his office, vows to "placate" any Democrat who voted for the bill and was attacked by being called a "communist sympathizer". Linda Wertheimer interviewing Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA), National Republican Committee Chairman. He thought the wording was a bit tough, but the principle was right. Rep. Tony Coelho (D-CA), Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman, says calling someone a "communist sympathizer" is a step too far. Rep. Gingrich counters that whenever the liberals hyperbolize, it isn't criticized, but when conservatives state facts, it is considered inappropriate. Rep. Conte says it was poor strategy in a House where they don't have enough members and rely on compromise. Letter to U.S. President Ronald Reagan from Democrats asking the President to disown the press release by the NRCC; signed by Rep. Howard Wolpe (D-MI). Rep. Wolpe says the President needs to repudiate the NRCC letter and show solidarity with those attacked by it.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
U.S. House Representative Silvio Conte (R-MA), in his office, explains how U.S. President Ronald Reagan can "mollify" Democrats that voted for the bill. Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA), National Republican Committee Chairman, think that President Reagan needs to be careful how he protects Democrats who voted for the bill. Hard to explain how to be tough on Russia, but give them a loan. Rep. Tony Coelho (D-CA), Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman, states the administration is caught between the right wing of their party and doing the right thing. VS of President Reagan speaking at Annual Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, criticizing the "partisan wrangling and political posturing"; Treasury Secretary Donald Regan sitting, Linda Wertheimer, in voiceover, stating the President's need for Democratic support. Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill (D-MA) responding, saying the President needs to write a letter of gratitude to Democrats.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Host Paul Duke segues to a new segment, on arms reductions, briefly stating that "the standoff continues" between House Democrats and U.S. President Ronald Reagan from the previous segment. Regarding arms control, President Reagan has bowed to pressure from influential House and Senate members to reduce the number old nuclear warheads as new ones come along. President Reagan walks out to the Rose Garden with other adult Caucasian men. Adult Caucasian male photographers taking photographs. President Reagan announces arms reduction deal, a build-down; Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger in attendance. Duke states President Reagan has bought into the argument made by Congressional "Gang of Six" on arms reduction, and introduces U.S. Senator William Cohen (R-ME), one of the members of the "Gang of Six".
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Host Paul Duke interviews U.S. Senator William Cohen (R-ME), asking him whether the United States has reached a consensus on a real arms control plan. Sen. Cohen says the "ingredients" are in place to form a consensus. The President didn't bow to pressure, instead became a willing partner. Duke questions the President's current positions with arms control given his skepticism from the outset, and that includes "military brass", asking how Sen. Cohen sold President Reagan on arms control. Sen. Cohen disputes that the President was skeptical and recounts how President Reagan reached out to him after he authored an article read by the President in the Washington Post. The skepticism came from those in the arms control field, who raised objections that had to be answered.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Cokie Roberts brings up the MX missile as a bargaining chip that U.S. Senator William Cohen (R-ME) had to use in negotiations about arms reduction. Sen. Cohen admits the MX was involved and the concerns surrounding placement of MX missiles was used as an opportunity to discuss arms reduction. The MX missile was accepted under the condition of the build-down. Sen. Cohen explains the meaning of a build-down; arms reduction, but more stable systems. Roberts asks Sen. Cohen about the politics of the negotiation, whether it was important that the Republicans not look like the "pistol packing party". Sen. Cohen states it was important that the politics of the negotiations had to be bipartisan, not just for domestic reasons, but to show the Soviet Union that the President had a unified Congress behind him. Host Paul Duke asks whether the White House and Capitol Hill can work more closely on defense and foreign policy. Sen. Cohen: "Absolutely." Duke thanks Sen. Cohen for his time.
LAWMAKERS (10/06/1983)
Host Paul Duke segues to commentary by Charles McDowell regarding the office of Vice-President and who should occupy it. McDowell talks about the history of the office of the Vice-President and the political attitudes toward the office. Recent history has changed where now seven of the last ten Vice-Presidents have come from Congress and where they were considered leaders. Now, potential Democratic candidates for President are "straining to outdo each other" by implying they would choose a woman for Vice-President. The question is whether female voter will feel patronized or not for having the office of the Vice-President waved at them. McDowell criticizes Democrats for not fostering women into positions of power, like Republicans have. The Democratic talk of a female Vice-President evades the reality of the Democratic Part's performance. Duke still says the talk is hopeful and Cokie Roberts thinks talk to could turn to reality if pressure is applied. Duke signs off.