LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS - "Open"
"Lawmakers" opening sequence, illustration of Capitol Dome.
LAWMAKERS - "Open"
Program host Paul Duke introduces reporters Linda Wertheimer and Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio. Duke introduces show topic: U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s recent State of the Union Address; Duke introduces Cokie Roberts.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio reports on U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address, discusses President Reagan’s high ratings in public opinion polls, states they are the highest of any fourth year President since Dwight D. Eisenhower.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan at joint session of Congress. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (D-MA) introduces President Reagan, U.S. Vice-President George H.W. Bush seated in BG. Excerpts from Reagan’s State of the Union Address, discussion of U.S. strength and recovery.
LAWMAKERS - "Rep. Gingrich on Reagan"
U.S. Representative Newt Gingrich (R-GA) in office, giving his opinion on President Reagan’s State of the Union Address, saying it was the “best political philosophy speech of Ronald Reagan’s career” and that it “articulated the conservative opportunity society as an alternative to a liberal welfare state.”
LAWMAKERS - "Sen. Dodd on Reagan"
U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in office, giving his opinion on U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address; says people will identify it as the beginning of the 1984 Presidential campaign; Reagan's address was designed to be a crowd-pleaser, had lines for every issue from acid rain to the environment in the Chesapeake Bay. Senator Dodd says the address was “hardly a blueprint for dealing with America’s problems in 1984.”
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address before joint session of Congress. Cokie Roberts (VO) says the address did have something for everyone: a mention of an African-American entrepreneur, a Latino soldier, new plans to please the environmentalists, and programs to promote the welfare of women. Reagan delivering speech, says “opportunities for all Americans will increase if we move forward in fair housing, work to ensure women’s rights, provide for equitable treatment in pension benefits, and individual retirement account, facilitate child care, and force delinquent parents support payments.”
LAWMAKERS - "Rep. Schroeder on Reagan"
U.S. Representative Pat Schroeder (D-CO) in office, giving her opinion on U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address; Schroeder says that what President Reagan said in his address sounded good, but it is also important to look at what he did not say; mentions upper middle class women and how an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) does not do much for those who do not have a lot of money contribute to it.
LAWMAKERS - "Sen. Dodd on Reagan"
Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio in office with U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), who discusses U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address, saying it was very political and only appealed to those who already support the President. Senator Dodd says President Reagan still faces the problems of Lebanon, Central America, and foreign policy issues that can still “blow up” in coming months.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress. Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio discusses the problems President Reagan faced while addressing Congress on State of the Union. Reagan saying there is hope for a free and sovereign Lebanon, which receives a somber and quiet reaction; in the audience are Budget Director David Stockman, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force General Charles Alvin Gabriel, U.S. Army Chief of Staff General John A. Wickham, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John William Vessey Jr. Cokie Roberts (VO) discusses how Lebanon has become a political problem for Reagan.
LAWMAKERS - "Rep. Gingrich on Reagan"
U.S. Representative Newt Gingrich (R-GA) in office, discussing Lebanon; says that the U.S. is promoting peace in Lebanon, but he is not sure that peace can be achieved, and there are limits to American power.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress. Cokie Roberts (VO) discusses the issue of the federal deficit for the 1984 election campaign. President Reagan asks Congress that recommendations be delivered to him by December 1984, a date which occurs after the 1984 Presidential elections; Reagan's remark gets a chuckle. Reagan discusses the use of line item vetoes by some state Governors, mentions his use of line item vetoes as Governor of California; U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) in audience.
LAWMAKERS - "Rep. Schroeder"
U.S. Representative Pat Schroeder (D-CO) in office, discussing checks and balances in the U.S. Government; says Congress would be giving up a check if it were to yield to line item vetoes. Cokie Roberts (VO) says even Democrats had to praise President Ronald Reagan on his State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "Sen. Dodd on Reagan"
U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) in office, discussing U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address; says President Reagan spoke out of character on issues like women and the environment; believes Reagan’s address was based on politics to secure his re-election, and that Reagan has not changed.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress. President Reagan closes address with how future generations will look back on politicians of the present and says, “God Bless America”; U.S. Vice-President George H.W. Bush and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill in BG. Members of Congress stand and applaud.
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio reports on U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s call for Congress to allow him a line item veto, an action requiring a Constitutional Amendment. A Gallup Poll shows that 67 percent of American people like the idea of the President having a line item veto, which Reagan hopes to use as a tool to help fix the deficit. Budget documents with line crossing out a portion of the budget to illustrate how a line item veto would work. Once given a budget appropriation bill, Reagan could eliminate one program on the bill and then sign it, rather than signing the bill as a whole. Map of the U.S. highlighting 43 states that allow their Governors a line item veto and 7 that do not.
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
Governor of Pennsylvania Dick Thornburgh takes podium at press conference. Linda Wertheimer (VO) discusses Governor Thornburgh’s use of a line item veto to cut more than one billion dollars from programs approved by the state legislature. Caucasian male and female press members at press conference. Gov Thornburgh at press conference, discussing why he used a line item veto. Democratic Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives James Manderino standing at podium.
LAWMAKERS - "Pennsylvania Funding"
Elderly adult female elementary school teacher watching over students. Elementary school students eating lunch, Caucasian girl unscrewing a Thermos. Linda Wertheimer (VO) discusses cuts in Pennsylvania state aid to education and cuts to the operating expenses of the state legislature.
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in legislative meeting. Democratic Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives speaking at podium before a crowd in the Pennsylvania State Capitol building, criticizing Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh’s use of a line item veto to make cuts in the state’s budget bill, saying that Governor Thornburgh’s motivations for doing so were political and not economic.
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
U.S. Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) during an in-office interview with adult Caucasian male journalist, discussing U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s use of line item vetoes during his tenure as Governor of California. Rep. Berman says Reagan used his line item veto less to reduce budget and more to push his political agenda. Linda Wertheimer (VO) discusses proponents and opponents to the President getting a line item veto. U.S. Representative and Chairman of the House Budget Committee Jim Jones (D-OK) says it would take 5-7 years to ratify a line item veto for the President and that doing so would still have a minimal effect on deficits.
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
U.S. one-dollar bill graphic used to illustrate the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) projected budget for 1985. Linda Wertheimer (VO) breaks down the budget: 41 percent goes for programs like social security and Medicare, 29 percent goes to defense, 13 percent is the interest on the national debt, of the remaining 18 percent U.S. President Ronald Reagan would only have about 10 percent of the budget to work with if he were to get a line item veto.
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio interviewing U.S. Representative Silvio Conte (R-MA), who says that if Presidents were able to get everything their own way, the U.S. would be a dictatorship and there would not be a legislative branch. Wertheimer interviewing U.S. Representative and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Jamie Whitten (D-MS), who says the job of Congress is to represent the need of the people as the framers of the U.S. Constitution intended. Rep Conte says there is no way Congress will give President Reagan a line item veto. Rep Whitten says “it is more power than a good man should want and more power than a bad man should have.”
LAWMAKERS - "Line Item Veto"
Paul Duke and Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio wrap up segment on U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s request for Congress to give him a line item veto. Duke asks why President Reagan made the proposal if Congress is not likely to approve it; Wertheimer says it's politics, that Reagan wants to say that even though he trying to do something about the deficit Congress will not allow him to do it. Wertheimer says Congress runs on compromise-- if the President can edit that compromise, it will not work.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
Program host Paul Duke opens a round table discussion on U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address, introduces WETA Political Editor Norman Ornstein. Ornstein discusses how Congress has dealt with the deficit; U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s call for an informal commission to deal with the deficit and failed bipartisan efforts on the deficit; mentions the “Gang of 17” and predicts the budget will be put off until 1985.
LAWMAKERS - "Lebanon"
Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio discusses U.S. Marines in Lebanon, says Congress is upset about U.S. presence in Lebanon; Congress does not stand with U.S. President Ronald Reagan on the idea of peace in Lebanon and will try to get the Marines out. Roberts says Democrats will probably put pressure on President Reagan until he pulls them out.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Program host Paul Duke introduces a segment on the history of the State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Montage of U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford walking through join session of Congress at various State of the Union addresses.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) and John F. Kennedy (JFK) during respective State of the Union Addresses to joint sessions of Congress.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress, says it is the 196th time a President has reported on the State of the Union; U.S. Vice-President George H.W. Bush and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill in BG.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Still of the U.S. Constitution; Paul Duke (VO) says the Constitution requires the President to inform Congress on the State of the Union. Quoted text from the Constitution over still: “He (the President) shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union”; still changes to portrait of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. Illustration of the First Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, the meeting place of the first U.S. Congress; illustration depicts inauguration of U.S. President George Washington on April 30th 1789.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Brookings Institute scholar James Sundquist discusses the history of the relationship between Congress and the President with regard to the purpose of the State of the Union address. Portrait of U.S. President James Madison.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Still photo of U.S. Capitol Dome under construction in mid-19th Century. Brookings Institute scholar James Sundquist (VO) continues discussing the history of the State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Portrait of U.S. President Andrew Jackson. Brookings Institute scholar James Sunquist (VO) continues discussing the history of the State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Brookings Institute scholar James Sundquist continues discussing the history of the State of the Union Address. Portrait of U.S. President George Washington. Sundquist discusses President Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion.
LAWMAKERS - "JFK State of the Union"
U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK) delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress, Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn in BG.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Haynes Johnson of The Washington Post discusses the impact of television on the State of the Union Address as a forum for the President. U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress.
LAWMAKERS - "Carter State of the Union"
U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress.
LAWMAKERS - "LBJ State of the Union"
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson outlining his Great Society Program to Congress in State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
U.S. Representative Charles Bennett (D-FL) giving a contemporary criticism of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1965 State of the Union Address, saying it should have addressed the biggest issue at the time, the Vietnam War.
LAWMAKERS - "Vietnam"
U.S. Army soldier carrying wounded soldier from medivac helicopter.
LAWMAKERS - "LBJ State of the Union"
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress, discussing the Vietnam War. Politicians and press listening to President Johnson speaking.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Haynes Johnson of The Washington Post discusses growing criticism of the Vietnam War within Congress during 1966.
LAWMAKERS - "Watergate"
Senate Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (aka the Watergate Committee Hearings), Chairman U.S. Senator Sam Ervin (D-NC) banging gavel.
LAWMAKERS - "Nixon State of the Union"
U.S. President Richard Nixon delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress, calling for an end to the Watergate investigations; Vice-President Gerald Ford and Speaker of the House Carl Albert in BG. Politicians and audience applauding President Nixon.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
U.S. Representative Charles Bennett (D-FL) discusses the partisan split in Congress when U.S. President Richard Nixon called for an end to the Watergate investigations.
LAWMAKERS - "Carter State of the Union"
U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress.
LAWMAKERS - "JFK State of the Union"
U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivering State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress, calling for the creation of the Peace Corps. Congressmen listening to President Kennedy speak.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivering State of the Union Address, introducing New Federalism Proposal which calls for the return of 47 billion dollars in federal programs to state and local governments.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
Haynes Johnson of The Washington Post says the State of the Union Address does not contain memorable rhetoric, mentions the Gettysburg Address in comparison. Brookings Institute scholar James Sundquist discusses the value of the State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "State of the Union History"
U.S. President Gerald Ford receiving applause following State of the Union Address to joint session of Congress, Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller and Speaker of the House Carl Albert in BG. Brookings Institute scholar James Sundquist (VO) continues discussing the value of the State of the Union Address.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
Program host Paul Duke makes closing remarks on the State of the Union Address, comments that it's filled with forgettable material. WETA Political Editor Norman Ornstein comments on how Presidents usually try to come up with memorial phrases, citing U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” and President Jimmy Carter’s “New Foundation,” that Carter’s quote only led to a lot of jokes about underwear. Cokie Roberts of National Public Radio comments on the visual impact of the State of the Union Addresses, citing that of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson following the assassination of John F. Kennedy; the elderly states of Speaker of the House John McCormack and President pro tempore of the Senate Carl Hayden seated behind LBJ, Congress passed the 26th so that a Vice-President could be named instead of relying on the line of succession. Linda Wertheimer of National Public Radio comments on the importance of address during election years. Ornstein comments on the evolution of the addresses by U.S. President Ronald Reagan over his four years in office.
LAWMAKERS - "Reagan State of the Union"
Program host Paul Duke introduces commentary by Charles McDowell. Charles McDowell discusses U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s State of the Union Address; a speech President Reagan made after his first year in office; mentions Reagan’s tax cut (Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, aka Kemp-Roth Tax Cut), Reagan’s tighter social spending budget, and increased military spending. McDowell discusses Reagan’s metaphor for problem solving, “catching a porcupine with an inverted tub.” McDowell discusses the “inverted tubs” (issues) Reagan now faces in Lebanon, Central America, arms control negotiations with the Soviets, record breaking budget deficits, and Reagan’s rejection of tax increase in an election year.
LAWMAKERS - "Viewer Mail"
Program host Paul Duke introduces viewer's mail segment, discusses the U.S. Senate Bean Soup Recipe.
LAWMAKERS - "Close"
Program host Paul Duke closes show. End credits, U.S. Capitol Building and Washington D.C. in BG.