CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
15.00.33--Rep. DAN GLICKMAN (D-KS) says that a Congressional salary isn't much when you consider the cost of two residences, travel, and other expenses. Shots of some Congressional homes in Georgetown. Shots of Rep. GLICKMAN and his wife doing the grocery shopping. Mrs. GLICKMAN says most people don't understand that some Congressmen and their families have trouble getting by on the $61,000 salary. Rep. GLICKMAN says that Congressmen shouldn't get rich in their jobs, but salaries should be adequate to attract and retain competent and dedicated members. V.O.-however, CONGRESSIONAL PAY RAISES always generate controversy. Rep. DON YOUNG (R-AK) says that Congress should just be courageous and vote itself a pay raise up front. V.O.-discussion of outside income sources for Congressmen, limits on the total. 15.02.57-Rep. OBEY in debate attacks the Senate for opposing a House pay raise when Senators are allowed to earn unlimited income outside the Senate. Senate lawyer says that there are some speeches which can raise potential conflicts of interest. Rep. OBEY says that simple disclosure isn't enough to solve the ethical problems, because the questionable integrity of a member isn't just a problem for that Congressman's constituents, but for the integrity of the whole Congress. Newman-describes Ethics Committees and Codes of Conduct maintained by both Houses, and the willingness of the press to cover any potential scandal. 15.05.05-Rep. VIC FAZIO (D-CA) discusses the issues that come before the House Ethics Committee. Shots of the House committee in a meeting. Shots of House committee hearings on "Koreagate". Rep. BRUCE CAPUTO (R-NY) says that there are serious implications to the scandal. V.O.-Description of the scandal. Shot of Korean businessman Tongsen Park testifying, shot of Special Prosecutor LEON JAWORSKI, stating that evidence suggests that Park and the Korean government were involved in attempting to buy off Congressmen. JAWORSKI interrogating PARK about gifts to Congressmen in the high 5-figure range, evidently mostly in cash. V.O.-the lack of evidence to indicate that Congressmen were compromised by the gifts led the scandal to blow over, with one criminal prosecution and three resignations. 15.08.28