CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
01.20.29-Shots of Rep. Kaptur in meetings, speaking in well of House, in committee, former Rep. Ashley says that in the past, seniority rules prevented Freshmen from speaking or being leaders in committee, discusses the style of doing business under Speaker Sam Rayburn who ruled Congress along with a handful of committee chairmen. C/S Tip O'Neill, says that Sam Rayburn couldn't identify more than 20 members of Congress by name. Still of Sam Rayburn. Still of a Committee in the Rayburn era. C/S Rep. TOM FOLEY, recalling the autocratic nature of seniority in the old days. Shot of Rep. Ashley, says that it used to require about ten years to get to any kind of influence in Congress. Tip O'Neill says that new members used to have few rights. V.O.-seniority broke down in 1974 after Watergate swept 75 new Democrats into House and the system was reformed. Stills of 1974 Congressional yearbook with stills of the rookie members. Shot of Tim Wirth, discusses being part of the reforming class of Congress. Rep FOLEY says that new members can quickly have influence, resulting in established members actively courting the rookies. 01.24.54-Rep. KAPTUR says that the Congress is relatively young now, so even the ranking members respect Freshmen. Newman discusses the further learning process of a Congressman's career. Signs off. 01.26.14-closing credits/WETA credit/funding credits/PBS ID 01.27.51--OUT