CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
01.20.39-Graphic shows map of Illinois, with 8th Congressional District and City of Chicago highlighted. V.O.-the Senator's constituency is much broader. Shots of Percy on the campaign trail, getting off a small plane, on a talk radio program, speaking to a small group of citizens. Percy talks to a reporter suggesting foreign policy moves. Shot of Percy speaking to a small auditorium of citizens, saying he supported the amendment for voting age change from 21 to 18. Percy v.o.-sometimes he envies Congressmen who can be more personal with their constituents, but as a Senator he has some unique powers to help people. 01.22.08-Newman/Ornstein-discussion of the way the House and Senate have gotten closer togetehr. Shot of Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), says the idea of the Legislative Branch having certain prerogatives has drawn House and Senate closer together. V.O.-discussion of the system of checks and balances that can pit Executive against Legislative branches. Series of newspaper headlines from the Nixon Impeachment hearings. Shot of armored vehicle in LEBANON. V.O.-the House and Senate share the power to declare War and have worked together to try to check the power of the President to send troops overseas in non-declared wars. Shot of Rep. JIM WRIGHT advocating a bill to reduce the President's power to commit troops as a question of protecting Congress' powers. Shot of RONALD REAGAN signing a bill. 01.23.53-Shot of Sen. BOB DOLE (R-KS) chairing a Conference Committee on the tax bill. C/S Sen. SARBANES, says that the 17th Amendment creation of popular election for the Senate took away the biggest difference between House and Senate, made the Senate less elitist. Clip of a Sarbanes campaign ad. Shot of Tip O'Neill leading a meeting. Sarbanes says that the most important thing in the future is not the differences between House and Senate but the way they work together. 01.25.51-Newman-concludes by saying that the bicameral system has held up pretty well for 200 years. Closing credits/WETA credit/funding credits/PBS ID 01.27.47--OUT