LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
IN 11.57.21 11.57.21-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 11.58.11-PAUL DUKE/COKIE ROBERTS/LINDA WERTHEIMER in studio-on program: 1981 session of Congress will be remembered for "giving the President everything he wanted", largest DEFENSE BILL in history passed with 15 minutes of debate, passage of FOREIGN AID and FARM SUBSIDIES in last days of the session. 11.59.19-Shot of Rep. JIM WRIGHT, proposes adjournment, acting speaker runs through voice vote like a TEXAS HORSE TRADER, closes session. Shot of Sen. HOWARD BAKER and Sen. ROBERT BYRD, gleefully making conference call to REAGAN to announce closing of SENATE session. Shot of Rep. JIM WRIGHT and Rep. ROBERT MICHEL making conference call to REAGAN to inform that HOUSE session is closed, WRIGHT jokes that Congress "has done all the damage we can do." Shot of WRIGHT notifying HOUSE that REAGAN has accepted ADJOURNMENT, cheers from the rest of House. TIP O'NEILL asks jokingly if REAGAN "sent any special message for the Speaker?" Laughs all around. 12.01.45-Shot of Rep. J.J. PICKLE (D-TX) in well of House, says he's pleased HOUSE has voted to restore minimum SOCIAL SECURITY benefits. ROBERTS v.o.-SANTA CLAUS also came for the DEFENSE INDUSTRY, with the biggest defense bill in history, $200 billion. Shot of Rep. MILLICENT FENWICK (R-NJ), arguing that the House vote by unanimous consent to double the level of outside pay that members can receive is sneaky attempt to deceive the public [of course, she's wearing about fifty pounds of gold, so her money's obviously already in the bank]. Shot of Rep. GEORGE DANIELSON (D-CA), asking unanimous consent to wish all colleagues merry christmas. Shot of Rep. ROBERT MICHEL, urges REPUBLICANS to be humble about winning so many votes that year. Shot of TIP O'NEILL standing on rostrum, wishing merry christmas/happy new year. 12.04.28-WERTHEIMER in studio, discussion of hard battle for FARM SUBSIDY bill before adjournment, which cut most subsidies except SUGAR and PEANUTS, results not pleasing to many. 12.05.03-shot of Rep. CLINT ROBERTS (R-SD), says the bill is worthless and empty. Shot of Rep. MARGARET HELCKER (R-MA), says that the HOUSE should not vote for the bill. Shot of Rep. DONALD ALBOSTA (D-MI), calls the bill a disaster for agriculture. Shots of CONGRESSMEN in debate, WERTHEIMER v.o.-discussion of general coalition-corn/wheat states trade backing with cotton/sugar states, and urban congressmen join for food stamp constituency, says this FARM BILL was divisive. Shot of LEON PANETTA (D-CA), says REAGAN ADMINISTRATION has fostered division in order to cut spending. Shot of Rep. TOBY ROTH (R-WI), says DAIRY has been cut too much while SUGAR, PEANUTS, and TOBACCO have been let alone. Shot of Rep. BILL ALEXANDER (D-Ark.), says the bill is a potential "disaster" in rice industry. 12.06.35-Shot of Rep. PETER PEYSER (D-NY), argues that CONSUMERS are even on the same side as FARMERS. Shot of Rep. WILLIAM THOMAS (R-CA), says that the Congress does not represent farmers in the majority, time to face new facts. Shot of Rep. ROBERT MICHEL, argues basically that REAGAN will veto any other bill, so the HOUSE should pass it even though it's flawed. Shot of Rep. ED de la GARZA (D-TX), arguing that there is no alternative to passing the bill even though it stinks, it's better than no farm bill at all.