LAWMAKERS
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Hart Senate Office Building
Host Paul Duke talks about the opening of new Senate Office Building and seniority system of office selection. U.S. Senator Pat Moynihan (D-NY) in a Senate hallway, reads resolution condemning the design and cost of the Hart Senate Office Building. Exterior of Hart Building covered by plastic sheathing. Exterior of completed Hart Building. Zoom out from adult Caucasian male construction worker on scaffolding of Hart Building; Duke, voiceover, talking about the negative reviews of the Hart Building. George White, Architect of the Capitol, discussing the building. POV of Capitol Dome from Pennsylvania Ave. Exteriors of Russell, Dirksen, Rayburn buildings coupled with news articles critiquing the architectural designs; Duke, voiceover, discusses history of controversy over Senate and House office buildings, mostly on grounds of expense and architectural philistinism. White says that buildings are meant to be enduring. Taxpayers deserve permanence, but must pay a little more.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Hart Senate Office Building
Hart Senate Office Building. U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) in foyer of the Hart Building, saying the Capitol is distinctive, but each successive building has been a decline in status and stature, and the Hart Building has nothing to suggest government purpose, presence, or function. The building has no identity; intercut with exterior views of the Russell Senate Building and Dirksen Building. Pan over view of central atrium of building back down to ground flower where men and women walk through the atrium. Adult Caucasian male construction worker sawing. Two men and and a woman walking through empty room. U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker's (R-TN) nameplate on glass door; woman sits at desk inside. Sen. Dan Quayle (R-IN) in office, calls his move to Hart Building an "eviction". SH-524 empty office. Sen. Quayle continues to complain.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Hart Senate Office Building
George White, Capitol Architect, in office, says he thinks most Senators moving to Hart Building are pleased, but that the building is not for the Senators, but for the people. U.S. Senator Dan Quayle (R-IN) says that the design of the building will encourage protesters, and staged "suicide leaps" from high walkways; upper floor, skylight ceiling down to floor of central atrium of building. White counters, saying the charge could apply to any bridge or building. Hart Building exterior. White says he's pleased with the building, and he will take the criticism as it comes. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) standing in foyer of Hart Building, says study of architecture would disabuse anyone of the idea that the Hart Building is a sign of progress.
1983 - LAWMAKERS - Editorial
Host Paul Duke introduces commentary by Charles McDowell who says that at least ten Senators are campaigning for the Presidency already now that Senator Ted Kennedy has withdrawn. None of this is unusual, but the amount of Republican Senators hinting at Presidential runs is unusual. Normally, is was rare for a Senator to be considered for the Presidency, but that trend has changed since the advent of the television. Now, it seems as though the Senate is a springboard to the Presidency. Duke signs off; Cokie Roberts and Linda Wertheimer sitting with him.