History of the U.S. Congress
History of the U.S. Congress
Overview of the U.S. Capitol Building (east side). Edwin Newman (o/s) begins narrating the history of the United States Congress.
History of the U.S. Congress
Assembly Room of Independence Hall preserved in the era of the Continental Congress, showing replica Declaration of Independence, stripes of an American flag on a table, and the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution; Edwin Newman (o/s) narrating that this is where George Washington became General of the Continental Army, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the American flag was designed, and where Congress was established through bitter debate that almost ceased the drafting of the Constitution.
History of the U.S. Congress
Edwin Newman stands in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall holding a replica of the Declaration of Independence. Newman explains the series events that occurred after the Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed, that included making George Washington General of the Continental Army, adopting a flag, and concluded a peace with England. After the Revolutionary War, Congress operated as the sole arm of a national federal government until a new document was drafted and approved in 1787 by Constitutional Convention; leading Newman to put down the replica document and pick up a replica of the U.S. Constitution. His finger points out Article I, Section I of the Constitution: “All legislative power shall be vested in a Congress of the United States which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.” Newman shows Article II and III, which established the Presidency and Supreme Court. Adult male (o/s) signals to go to the next scene.
History of the U.S. Congress
Edwin Newman sitting in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall talking about the Founding Fathers drafting of the U.S. Constitution, using inspiration from their own colonial experiences and Greek civilization. Newman’s finger points out, Article I, Section 8, where the founders made Congress the focus of legislative responsibility. Norman Ornstein joins Newman to discuss whether Congress really turned out the way it was intended. Ornstein explains the fight over the composition of a bi-cameral Congress and how the House of Representatives and Senate were designed to be distinct from each other and act as a check and balance of each other. Ornstein doesn’t think the framers succeeded entirely and time has brought the two houses closer together, but there are still clear distinctions between the two houses, and he intends to review them, starting with the House of Representatives, which George Mason proposed: "to be the grand depository of the democratic principle of government."
History of the U.S. Congress
Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome, zoom out to the U.S. Capitol Building (southeast side); Norman Ornstein (o/s) narrates the origin of Congress, specifically the House of Representatives. POV from a seat in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. Panning view from the Well of the House of seats in chamber, adult Caucasian males in BG.
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. House Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-TX) speaking from a lectern. U.S. House Minority Leader Robert Michel (R-IL) speaking. Narrator Norman Ornstein notes that it might surprise the Founding Fathers to see the party divide in the House. Elderly adult Caucasian Congressman asking Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (D-MA) for order; Speaker O’Neill bangs gavel and calls House Republicans to order, adult Caucasian males seated around House Rostrum. Ornstein notes the House has "a mountain of rules" to keep the chamber in order; adult Caucasian Congressmen speaking. Elderly adult Caucasian Congressman speaking at Well of the House, being admonished by adult Caucasian Congressman standing in for the Speaker of the House, told to refrain from mentioning Senate debate or its members. The Congressman corrects himself, calling “Mr. X over there”, drawing laughs; adult, predominantly Caucasian, males seated around the House Rostrum.
History of the U.S. Congress
Adult Caucasian Congressman briefly speaking to the House of Representative chamber. U.S. Representative Ronald Dellums (D-CA) briefly speaking animatedly at the well of the House. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (D-MA) speaking from the Speaker’s Platform. Norman Ornstein explains the function of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a hold-over of British Parliament. Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Daniel Rostenkowski (D-IL) confirming that if the Speaker of the House states they’re working all night, then they will stay up all night working to pass legislation.
History of the U.S. Congress
VS of adult Caucasian Congressmen and women, including U.S. House Representative Marci Kaptur (D-OH) attending House committee meetings; Norman Ornstein (o/s) explains the function of House committees. Rep. Daniel Rostenkowski (D-IL) speaking as Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, which drafts the nation’s tax laws. Middle-aged adult Caucasian male witness testifying; adult Caucasian males and females seated or standing in BG. Adult Caucasian male looking over papers during a committee meeting; Ornstein notes that all revenue bills must begin in the House of Representatives. Rep. Rostenkowski and an adult Caucasian male having a private conversation on the dais. Rep. Rostenkowski states that he’s seen Congressmen give up Chairmanships to take the lowest position on the House Ways and Means Committee; pan down from a stone eagle in a meeting room where Rep. Rostenkowski bends over to speak two to other adult Caucasian Congressmen.
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. House Representative Daniel Rostenkowski (D-IL) talking about the faith people in his district have put in him over a period of time, to the point where even if he does something contrary to their specific interests, they trust that he is doing it for the national interest; Rep. Rostenkowski walking across floor, shaking adult Caucasian male’s hand, then climbing the steps to the stage. Adult Caucasian males and females attending rally, cheering and waving signs supporting Rostenkowski's re-election. Rep. Rostenkowski speaking on stage, acknowledging his constituency electing him to political office eighteen times. Adult Caucasian male, seated, holding a “Re-Elect Rostenkowski" sign high in the air. Adult Caucasian male wearing a flat cap, smoking cigar; poster “Retain Judge Sulski” in the BG. Elderly adult Caucasian male wearing a hat with flair walking about the rally. Couple of elderly adult Caucasian females sitting together, smiling at camera.
History of the U.S. Congress
Map of the 8th Congressional District within Chicago's borders. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. U.S. House Representative Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) talks about his upbringing. Pulaski Park; two adult Caucasian males walking in the FG. Rep. Rostenkowski encourages people to stay and work in the neighborhood, as the way to bring lasting prosperity. POV behind Rep. Rostenkowski on stage, adult Caucasian male and female supporters cheering; Narrator Norman Ornstein (o/s) remarks that this is what the Founding Fathers envisioned: representatives with deep ties in their communities, reflecting popular will, while others feared demagoguery. Rep. Rostenkowski crossing the street, walking along sidewalk, climbing steps with his wife LaVerne; he shakes hands with middle-aged adult Caucasian man. Rostenkowski sees representatives as people, like their constituency, who are concerned for their well-being. But the media depicts them as something less than a concerned group of members of Congress.
History of the U.S. Congress
Edwin Newman (o/s) describing the official House of Representatives photograph that is taken once, every two years. It is an overview of the House chamber while in session, and is the only photograph of the U.S. House of Representatives allowed by the U.S. Senate.
History of the U.S. Congress
1823 porthole portrait of U.S. President George Washington by Rembrandt Peale; carved gilt eagle and shield in FG, obscuring portrait, perched atop valence; camera zooms out to desk of Vice President, Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk. Narrator Edwin Newman (o/s) explains history of the old U.S. Senate chamber. Original seats. Brass spittoon next to desk. Adult Caucasian male talks about differences between the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (D-MA) with group seated around rostrum, intercut with two middle-aged adult Caucasian Congressmen speaking before Speaker O'Neill bangs his gavel, calls House to order; Newman (o/s) commenting on numerous House rules and procedures.
History of the U.S. Congress
Illustrations of U.S. Senate in session; Edwin Newman (o/s) narrating on Senate’s smaller size, more informal behavior, and precisely 42 rules.
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL) talking about U.S. Senate’s more deliberative pace when it comes to debating legislation. Replica document of U.S. Constitution (“We The People” and Article I); narrator Edwin Newman (o/s) stating this is how the Founding Fathers envisioned the Senate.
History of the U.S. Congress
B&W illustration of U.S. President George Washington presiding over the Philadelphia Convention; Founding Fathers gathered to sign the U.S. Constitution.
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. House Representatives Daniel Rostenkowski (D-IL) and Barber Conable Jr. (R-NY) seated beside each other on House Ways and Means Committee Meeting, as Chairman and Ranking Minority Leader; Rep. Conable speaking. U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL) among members in Senate meeting with other adult Caucasian, predominantly males. Edwin Newman (o/s) narrating the difference in the amount of committee assignments between U.S. House Representatives and Senators, thus impacting the level expertise they may have in the field of their assignment. Sen. Percy: “In the Senate, we say you must know something about everything and everything about something.”
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL) greeting Deputy U.N. Ambassador Kenneth Adelman in his role as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; adult Caucasian and African American males and females taking photographs. Narrator Edwin Newman (o/s) explains the Constitutional role of the Senate in ratifying treaties. Adult Caucasian men and women seated in hearing room. Sen. Percy asking for a date when the administration will come forth to present a final recommendation on a treaty. Ambassador Adelman listening, nodding, smiling; Newman explaining that the Senate also has power over the President’s appointments. Sen. Percy announces the second hearing for Ambassador Adelman, and explains the checks of Presidential power the Senate has in confirming his official appointments and promoting military officers.
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL), holding papers, speaking with two adult Caucasian males; Narrator Edwin Newman (o/s) explaining that U.S. Senators were originally selected by state legislatures. Text showing the 17th Amendment, enacted in 1913, which changed Senate election to a popular vote. Map of the 8th Congressional District within Chicago's borders, zoom out to the state of Illinois; Newman explains that U.S. House Representative Daniel Rostenkowski (D-IL) can walk across his district of nearly a half million people, while Sen. Percy has a whole state of nearly twelve million constituents. Sen. Percy handing a bunch of papers to adult Caucasian woman as he exits airplane. VS of Sen. Percy speaking and meeting with adult Caucasian male and female constituents, the Lions Clubs International, radio show, and a general meeting; Newman counting sixty appearances in fifteen cities in thirteen days covering all kinds of topics.
History of the U.S. Congress
U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL) talks about the main discussion in a recent meeting: jobs. Sen. Percy speaking with adult Caucasian female, suggesting the President convene an emergency session of the Security Council of the United Nations to put the Soviet Union on the defensive. "Chuck Percy ’84" sticker. Sen. Percy speaking to a room of adult Caucasian males and females about his fight, along with Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) to change the voting age from 21 to 18; young adult Caucasian males in BG. Sen. Percy speaking about representing a district; getting to know the constituents, and he does envy the person that can walk their whole district, but every person he has helped in the past sixteen years, he could only do so because he's a Senator; inter-cut with him holding a Caucasian female toddler, as he meets with adult Caucasian male and female constituents.