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LAWMAKERS show 3/25/82 - Environment, Budget, and a Nuclear Freeze
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WETA credit/sponsor credits
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COKIE ROBERTS-on program, battle between Congress and INTERIOR SECRETARY JAMES WATT. LINDA WERTHEIMER-Congress getting nervous over stalemate with REAGAN over BUDGET. PAUL DUKE-NUCLEAR FREEZE advocates get hearing on Capitol Hill.
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Title sequence
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DUKE-more than 200 legislators now support a NUCLEAR FREEZE INITIATIVE to ban testing and deployment of NUCLEAR WEAPONS by the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., launched an educational campaign in Congress.
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A shot of a CIVIL DEFENSE CONTROL ROOM, man uses telephone to conduct readiness drills. Shots of stockpiled food and infirmary bed in an underground fortified BOMB SHELTER for CIVIL DEFENSE authorities. Shot of Rep. EDWARD MARKEY (D-MA), says that NUCLEAR WAR is such a catastrophe that there is no sense in preparing for "winnable war". Shot of Sen. MARK HATFIELD (R-OR), says there is no "winnable war". Clip of b/w film of JAPANESE VICTIMS of HIROSHIMA and NAGASAKI bombs, showing illnesses/disfigurements/maiming. Shot of TED KENNEDY in a meeting, says that there is no other way to get Americans to realize the fact that nuclear war is never "winnable", but to hear from survivors of the ATOMIC BOMBS dropped on JAPAN. Shots of women who survived the HIROSHIMA and NAGASAKI bombs, telling the hearing about their experiences, their desire to make others realize that it must not happen again.
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Shot of Sen. PAUL TSONGAS (D-MA), says that all Congressmen and all of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH should be forced to take note. Shots of a TOWN MEETING in Vermont, where citizens speak against the ARMS RACE. A man says that U.S. NUCLEAR POLICY is set without any regard for the opinions of the majority of people. DUKE v.o.-over 100 Town Meetings in NEW ENGLAND have endorsed the freeze. Shot of Sen. TSONGAS and Rep. JOHN SEIBERLING (D-OH) meeting a citizen at such a meeting. SEIBERLING says the NUCLEAR FREEZE movement is "indebted to HAIG and REAGAN for scaring the hell out of people". Shot of Sen. JOHN TOWER (R-TX), says that FREEZE could be dangerous, enticing the SOVIET UNION to instigate NUCLEAR WAR. Shot of Sen. HATFIELD, says that there are ENOUGH NUCLEAR ARMS as it is, both sides should want a freeze.
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Shot of REAGAN giving a speech, says that a NUCLEAR FREEZE isn't adequate, and should push for a REDUCTION with SOVIETS. Shot of a HOUSE RESOLUTION urging an eventual ELIMINATION of NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Shot of Sen. CHARLES MATHIAS (R-MD), says that both SUPERPOWERS have an interest in reduction and stopping proliferation. Shot of Sen. HENRY JACKSON (D-WA), says the goal is to get rid of ALL NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Shot of Sen. MATHIAS, says he was in JAPAN a month after the HIROSHIMA bombing with the Navy, and the devastation was horrible even with the most primitive nuclear weapons.
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ROBERTS-Reports on conflict between INTERIOR SECRETARY JAMES WATT and Congress-Charges of contempt for withholding documents from a committee investigation were dropped, but WATT is still controversial, detested by ENVIRONMENTALISTS and loved by DEVELOPERS. Shot of WATT meeting supporters. Aerials of ROCKY MOUNTAIN wilderness areas. Shot of tall REDWOOD TREES being cut down on mountainside. ROBERTS v.o.-discussion of WATT'S proposal for WILDERNESS PROTECTION-would allow PRESIDENTIAL DISCRETION to open WILDERNESS AREAS to resource explorations for "emergency" situations. Shot of exterior of Capitol.
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Shot of Rep. JOHN SEIBERLING (D-OH), chairing a committee meeting. Shot of Rep. PHIL BURTON (D-CA), says that WATT has been totally deceptive in promoting his proposal. Says it's a DEVELOPMENT PLAN disguised as a WILDERNESS PRESERVATION bill. Shot of WATT testifying, shot of SEIBERLING. WATT is confronted with one of his own quotes that the SIERRA CLUB is "infiltrated" by "Communists". WATT disguises his arrogance with good humor and dodges the question. Shot of Rep. DON YOUNG (Oil Party, Alaska) and SEIBERLING squabbling with each other over procedure in the committee, shot of WATT looking on. Shot of YOUNG defending WATT, says Congress shouldn't engage in attacking WATT-if they don't like his plan, they should change it.
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Shot of WATT saying that the bill is fair and meets "the objectives". Shot of committee members on bench. Shot of SEIBERLING alone on bench, apologizing to WATT at the end of the hearing for some of the squabbling and sniping in the meeting.