Capitol Journal
Capitol Journal
WETA "CAPITOL JOURNAL" IN 16.46.20 ROUGH TAPE OF A SYMPOSIUM on the History and Future of Congress for the 200th anniversary of the Constitution. A panel discussion in progress on the nature of Parties and Partisanship in Congress. Rep. BARBER CONABLE speaking in the symposium, discussing past congressional leader Wilbur Mills and his leadership style. Discusses the evolution and power of the Ways and Means Committee to a more partisan and contentious committee making tax policy. Discusses the impact of communication technology-makes Congress more participatory but less efficient. Says that party unity has declined and diversity has increased, making it necessary for leaders in congress to reach different groups. 16.53.29-Next speaker, John White, former Democratic National Chairman. Talks about his relationship with former Speaker Sam Rayburn and the idea of party discipline. While many things have changed, many aspects of Congress are the same-average age of Congressmen, domination by lawyers, businessmen, WASPs, and men. The differences are in how many issues come before Congress and how many staffers are needed, and the way that money and the media have impacted elections and behavior in Congress. 17.02.00-Next speaker, Norm Ornstein, a political scholar. Discusses the legacy of Sam Rayburn and changing styles of Congressional leadership. Says Rayburn's hold on power wasn't as strong as is often portrayed. Says Tip O'Neill has much more power under House Rules than Rayburn had. Disputes that party discipline is in decline, cites party line votes on recent budgets. Basically, the old days were less orderly and the present is less disorderly than generally believed. If Congress seems disorderly, it is because there is not a clear public consensus on many important issues. Says that "party discipline" carried to excess leads to the majority party imposing its will without compromising to reach a consensus position. 17.11.38-Moderator opens discussion segment. Former Rep. John Rhodes (R-AZ) says he disagrees with Ornstein in that Congress isn't working efficiently in spite of party discipline. Blames the budget process established in 1974, says there need to be hard deadlines for getting a budget in place. Discusses some other procedural changes that could make the budget process work better. Rep. TOM FOLEY says that there is an abundance of legislation that is passed without partisanship, including Social Security reform. Concedes that perhaps Democrats are insensitive to the majority party in House and Republicans have an inferiority complex. 17.19.13