Senator Baker and Capitol Renovations
Capitol Renovations
Exterior of the U.S. Capitol Dome during renovations; featuring the Statue of Freedom (aka Armed Freedom). Adult Caucasian male laborers working on top of the U.S. Capitol Dome, securing the Statue of Freedom with ropes or straps. U.S. Capitol Dome with renovation workers at work. Base of the Statue of Freedom secured with ropes, straps and pulleys. Exterior of the U.S. Capitol Building and Dome. Adult Caucasian male mason working on the U.S. Capitol Dome, standing on ladder.
Senator Baker speaks to Reporters
U.S. Senator Howard Baker (R-TN) speaking to reporters: "...very prudent in the way they report legislation to the floor. I would hope that we get away from this business of acting like a bunch of elected bureaucrats. Passing thousand page bills that try to describe in exquisite detail how Americans should run their lives. I'd like to the Senate restore something of its character as a policy setting group rather a group, an aggregation of people who try to administer the law as well. These are some of the changes that I hope we can bring about." Off-camera adult male reporter asks if a tax cut will be one of the first orders of business for newly-elected President Ronald Reagan. Sen. Baker responds: "I fully expect that President Reagan will submit to the Congress his economic and budgetary and tax recommendations at the earliest possible moment. I have talked to President-Elect Reagan on that subject... I intend to encourage him, as I have in the past, to submit his tax and economic proposals at the earliest moment so that the committees of the Congress with the jurisdiction can get on with the domestic and economic factors." Middle-aged adult Caucasian male reporter asks if this means Baker views the economy as his priority. Sen. Baker: "No, I don't think I should establish that. I think as far the Congress is concerned that we will place equal emphasis on our foreign policy and national defense considerations on the one hand and our economic and social on the other. But our first responsibility with the new administration is to receive their recommendations and to try and implement them as best we can." Off-camera male reporter asks Baker if Reagan had spoken to him about cabinet appointments. Sen. Baker: "No, I have spoken to others in his organization about cabinet appointments. Paul Laxalt and I have talked. Dick Allen and I have talked. Ed Meese and I have talked. I have not talked to Governor Reagan at all since he went back to California..." Off-camera male reporter asks for reaction to Democratic response to incoming administration. Sen. Baker: "I accept the statements that both Speaker O'Neill and Senator Byrd had face value. That is, there will be a time of maximum cooperation and effort to work together, and I welcome that. I accept that as a honest and genuine statement of their views and point of view as the loyal opposition, a role which Republicans occupied for a long time, which I am happy to will and bequeath to the Democrats."
Capitol Renovations
Adult Caucasian male laborers working on the U.S. Capitol Dome, one man stands on scaffolding. U.S. Capitol Building and Dome with U.S. flag and scaffolding during renovations. Laborer working on scaffolding on the U.S. Capitol Dome. U.S. Capitol building and dome during renovations. Adult Caucasian male laborers working atop U.S. Capitol Building, one man is secured to a harness on the side of the building. Exterior of the U.S. Capitol Building with grey chips in the white plaster finish. Adult Caucasian man operating a pulley on the side of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Senator Baker speaks to Reporters
Off-screen adult male reporter asks U.S. Senator Howard Baker (R-TN) if he anticipates any challenges to the people in line to be committee chairmen. Sen. Baker states, "No, I know I'm not." Off-screen adult female reporter asks whether this Senate will be "tightwad," to which Sen. Baker says, "No, I think that's not the way I would see it. I would fully expect this Senate to find few sacred cows among the existing federal programs, and to take a brand new look at almost every federal activity, and to propose the elimination of whole programs in some cases, but I would not expect it to be stingy in those matters that require humane concern and compassionate care for the people of this nation. I do expect to see very, very significant changes in the way some of those programs are designed and implemented." Adult female reporter asks about the future of the revenue-sharing program; Baker repeats question for those who did not hear, says, "I have indicated to Senator Byrd that I wished for an early consideration of the extension of the Revenue Sharing Act. I hope it will be brought up today. It certainly should be brought up this week, early enough to brought up through both houses of Congress, and on the President's desk. If revenue sharing is not passed in this session of Congress, I think it will have potentially devastating effects on local government throughout the country. So I think it is urgently important that we try to pass the re-authorization of revenue sharing before adjourn, signed and done." Off-screen adult female reporter asks what role Baker sees for House Republicans; Sen. Baker responds, "... I think their improved numbers will help significantly. I think a Republican majority in the Senate will help as well. I pledge now, as I have in the past, to both of those who are contending for the Republican leadership in the House, there will be a high level of regular cooperation between the House-level Republicans and the Senate Republican majority. I would think that, by and large, the House will be a very different House in the next Congress from the House that existed in the past two years, and you'll find a much more Republican-oriented point of view as a result of numbers and as a result of changes being made in the Senate." Adult Caucasian male and female reporters want to ask Sen. Baker more questions but he excuses himself, saying: "I have one minute before the Senate convenes, I don't want the chance that Byrd's going to take my desk away." Reporters mingle in area vacated by Baker and staff.
Capitol Renovations
U.S. flag on top of the U.S. Capitol Building. U.S. Capitol Building and Dome during renovations, grey chips in the white plaster finish. Adult Caucasian male laborers working on top of the U.S. Capitol Building, one man is secured to the side of the building with a harness. Adult Caucasian man operating a small crane or winch on the side of the U.S. Capitol Building. U.S. Capitol Building and Dome during renovations. Laborer working on scaffolding, painting the side of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Capitol Renovations
Adult Caucasian male laborer lowers a box from the side of the U.S. Capitol Building with a winch during renovations. Adult Caucasian male worker standing on scaffolding on top of the U.S. Capitol Dome. U.S. Capitol Building and Dome, and the Statue of Freedom.