The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
The Lawmakers - April 12, 1984
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
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The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Title sequence
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Paul Duke, Linda Wertheimer, Cokie Roberts in studio. Paul Duke introduces program will feature full report on El Salvador Debate, the War On Crime, and Tip O'Neill battles President Reagan.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Paul Duke introduces segment on Foreign Policy, El Salvador Debate, Reagan Administration vs. Congressional Democrats. (the CIA operation as terrorism and illeagal)
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
April 6, 1984. Remarks at the National Leadership Forum of the Center for International and Strategic Studies of Georgetown University. Ronald Reagan speaking, saying that Congress is wrong not to support his Central America policies on a bipartisan basis. Bipartisan consensus-building has become a central responsibility of congressional leadership as well as of executive leadership. (edit) Unfortunately, many in the Congress seem to believe they're still in the troubled Vietnam era, with their only task to be vocal critics and not responsible partners in developing positive, practical programs to solve real problems.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Senator Barry Goldwater (R - Arizona) I want to see the President have the right to go to war if he wants to, but I don t want this Congress having anything to do with it.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
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The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congress in session. Voiceover discusses CIA involvement in mining ports in Nicaragua. Led to bipartisan anger at Reagan.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congresswoman Barbara Boxer (D - California) What kind of country are we becoming? Are we so unsure of ourselves as a model of freedom that we must resort to covert force? Is our new slogan America - love it or fear it instead of The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave ? I am appalled and ashamed of our cowardly behavior.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congressman Jim Leach (R - Iowa) Not only is our administration suggesting that we will actively play the role of policeman for the world, but it is now arguing that rather than enforcing the law, the interventionist cops we are funding in Central America are above the law.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congressman Ted Weiss (D - New York) Whether Ronald Reagan is capable of accepting it or not, state sponsored terrorism is as reprehensible whether committed by us or by the Russians.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
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The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Senator William Cohen (R - Maine) outdoors on Capitol grounds, If this is allowed to continue, it s going to be a credibility gap with the Senate Intelligence Committee. After all, we are looked to by our colleagues to oversee the operations of our intelligence community.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Nicaragua. Rebels, Contras, marching through a path in wooded area. Not in uniforms. Adult men lead line, but are followed by young boys, and a 10-year-old girl, all with US made M-16 rifles. Camera follows young girl with M16 (most Contra units were remnants of the army of Somoza dictatorship ousted in 1979). US built helicopter taking off over mountainous jungle area.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congressman Dante Fascell (D - Florida) It s very tough to have bipartisan foreign policy if in the embrace the President has got one fist balled up and other one seems to be beckoning you, you have a hard time making up you mind whether he s going to hug you or punch you.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Senator William Cohen (R - Maine) I think there has to be some role. There are no blank checks any longer. In view of our experience, I don t think the American people nor the Congress is going to tolerate us having any Commander and Chief having a totally un-restrained commitment of troops to areas that are distant from our shores.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Tip O Neill (D - Massachusetts ) sitting in Speaker s office. He (Reagan) believes that bipartisan is telling me after the fact, not asking my advice. I appreciate the fact that they run the government. But it s hard to be a part of a bipartisan policy if you have no part in making it up because you could basically be wrong right from the very beginning.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
External shot of Senate wing of Capitol building.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Senate Committee hearing. Senators conferring excitedly. A Senator angrily addresses an administration witness, The fact is when you are breaking international law, when you are doing acts that have to be considered acts that are acts of war, you must come and speak forthrightly before the Congress of the United States. And you are refusing to speak forthrightly in open committee session of this Congress on this issue. Witness, Deputy Secretary Of State Kenneth Dam responding indignantly to the criticism. I really object to this kind of attack. I ve just agreed to come before this committee and answer all of these questions and then to be attacked for refusing to forthrightly, I consider, on a personal basis, objectionable.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
The Reagan Administration did have defenders of the Central American policy. Representative Mark Siljander (R - Michigan) I think it s important to take note that the Cuban-Soviet-PLO-Libyan influence in Nicaragua, exporting revolution throughout Central America, is the main reason why in our backyard, we as Americans ought to be concerned.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
CU image of the United States Constitution. Voiceover there is Constitutional ambiguity between the President s prerogative of Foreign Policy and Congress prerogative of declaring War.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Vietnam War artillery unit firing heavy ordnance, reloading cannon. Infantry running and crouching behind palm trees under heavy cloud of smoke. Voiceover discussion of reforms since Vietnam. Congress getting more power to regulate military action short of War.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Mark Siljander (R - Michigan) Congress is far too melding in foreign policy. A volatile, political oriented Congress certainly cannot formulate and establish foreign policy. The Constitution has never meant for Congress to do so. We can shape general direction, but to get into specific foreign policy, I think is a serious mistake.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Senator William Cohen (R - Maine), I don t think Congress is going to be at all eager to modify or eliminate the War Powers Act. I think the War Powers Act is going to stay.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congressman Dante Fascell (D - Florida) If the Congress is going to be in on the crash, meaning US involvement overseas, we darn well ought to be involved when we take off. That was the whole purpose of the War Powers concept. And to devise a mechanism whereby we could raise that issue for the benefit of the American people.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Tip O Neill (D - Massachusetts) America went to war over The Maine, The Lusitania. We re taking an awful chance out there.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Congressman Dante Fascell (D - Florida) Fundamental issue is that the American people are not ready to and Congress is reflecting this opinion in a variety of ways. That s the reason there is so much debate and so much concern.
The Lawmakers April 12, 1984
Paul Duke wraps up segment on El Salvador Debate. Comments on bitterness between Reagan and Congress over Nicaragua.