LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
08.12.14-M/S DAVID STOCKMAN (REAGAN'S SUPPLY-SIDE BUDGET GURU) taking seat for SENATE COMMITTEE hearing. V.o.-Senators don't like DOMESTIC CUTS, DEFENSE INCREASES, PROVISIONAL TAX INCREASE, and HUGE DEFICITS FOR YEARS TO COME. C/S Sen. BENNETT JOHNSTON (D-LA) says the DEFICIT is unacceptable. Sen. HOWARD METZENBAUM (D-OH) says the BUDGET is unfair and out of touch with America. Sen. JAMES SASSER (D-TN) remarks that DEMOCRATS weren't consulted about the budget, and now that REAGAN has proposed a bad BUDGET he wants to invite DEMOCRATS to share the blame. C/S Sen. STEVEN SIMMS (R-ID), says the DEFICIT is too big, more cuts needed. C/S PETE DOMENICI (R-NM, a supporter of the budget), says that SIMMS seems to think that $580 BILLION in DEFICIT REDUCTION over five years isn't adequate. 08.14.43-C/S DAVID STOCKMAN testifying that the BUDGET can't be changed too drastically by any consensus. Shots of audience at hearing, DEMOCRATS on panel. Sen. JOHNSTON notes the irony of REAGAN'S advocacy in 1982 of BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, asks what STOCKMAN would do if he had to balance this budget. STOCKMAN weaselly says that he still thinks BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT is a good idea, but since it's not there, he doesn't want to speculate on how it could be balanced. Sen. JOHNSTON says REAGAN ADMINISTRATION can't have it both ways, advocating Balanced Budgets and then proposing DEFICIT BUDGETS. Sen. DOMENICI notes rather sarcastically that he's looking forward to JOHNSTON'S balanced budget proposal. C/S STOCKMAN, concedes that DEFENSE is a big part of the DEFICIT, but says it's not the whole cause. 08.16.45-DUKE-Discussion of DEFENSE BUDGET as a target for cuts. CASPAR WEINBERGER came to the Hill to pitch the PENTAGON'S BLOATED BUDGET to the Senate Armed Services Committee. M/S WEINBERGER joined by Chair of JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF JOHN VESSEY at witness table. C/S Sen. JOHN TOWER (R-TX), lays it on thick about "preserving freedom". Ridicules idea that DOMESTIC SPENDING CUTS should be matched by DEFENSE SPENDING CUTS. Sen. JOHN WARNER (R-VA), says Congress is going to cut DEFENSE SPENDING and WEINBERGER better get used to it. C/S WEINBERGER listening. C/S Sen. DAN QUAYLE says the DOMESTIC ECONOMY requires DEFENSE CUTS. 08.18.30-C/S Sen. CARL LEVIN (D-MI) says the issue is clearly not whether to cut DEFENSE, but what to cut. C/S WEINBERGER testifying, ridiculing people who want to cut DEFENSE, says it can't be cut more without "undermining national security", (don't take away my new toys, mommy can I have a new MX missile, please)? C/S QUAYLE challenges General VESSEY to give Congress input on where to cut, assuming cuts are inevitable, so Congress can ensure the best DEFENSE for the money. VESSEY says that he doesn't want any cuts to be made. C/S Sen. TED KENNEDY, says he's concerned about the economy and Domestic spending cuts, Congress wants to spend only what is necessary for effective defense, and not more. WEINBERGER says that DETERRENCE will be hurt by more cuts, the U.S is at risk of attack by SOVIET UNION, etc. etc.