CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
15.59.53-Sketch of a filibustering Senator on the floor. V.O.-Sen. Allen learned to get around the "cloture" rules by offering incessant amendments to a bill. Shot of Strom THURMOND, says that this tactic is underhanded because it subverts the will of the 60% of Senators who properly vote to limit debate. Sen. HOWARD METZENBAUM (D-OH) says there need to be changes in Filibuster rules. Political scientist says that Senators want to expedite debate because their sessions are spreading out to take up vacation time. DO NOT USE: Clip of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", radio announcer describes the unusual activities of "Senator Smith". Clip of Jimmy Stewart on the verge of collapse, pledging to keep up the filibuster. 16.02.39-Ornstein/Newman-discussion of the general use of filibusters by all ideological persuasions, Senate feeling need to change rules to get things done. In the House, rules of debate are more formalized. Describes different rules regarding the amendment process. Newman describes the tortuous history of "Nuclear Freeze" legislation. Rep. SAM STRATTON (D-NY) asks for extra time to debate the Nuclear Freeze bill. Rep. CLAUDE PEPPER (D-FL), chair of the Rules Committee, denies the Armed Services Committee's request for special recognition in debate. Rep. JOE MOAKLEY (D-MA) says that Stratton is out of line to ask for this recognition since his committee didn't originate the bill. Shot of Rep. CLEMENT ZABLOCKI (D-WI) in Rules Committee hearing, says that his committee, Foreign Affairs, will give equal time to Nuclear Freeze opponents, so Stratton shouldn't get special treatment. V.O.-the proponents of NUCLEAR FREEZE got what they wanted from RULES COMMITTEE. 16.07.10