LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 5/26/1983 IN 20.00.00-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title seqence 20.00.58-PAUL DUKE-on program: victories for REAGAN on MX MISSILE, both houses approving development funds. Reports on BUDGET DEBATE and INSURANCE REFORM. LINDA WERTHEIMER-more backroom negotiations on BUDGET to seek a compromise. DUKE-intro. Guest Sen. SLADE GORTON, intro report on MX MISSILE, previously considered dead because Congress couldn't agree on a basing plan for deploying the missile, ridiculing REAGAN'S previous "densepack" plan. 20.02.07-C/S Rep. JOSEPH ADDABBO (D-NY) in debate, says the MX MISSILE plan is wasteful, the Air Force doesn't even know where to put the missile. Rep. ED MARKEY (D-MA) in debate, rips the "densepack" plan for the MX. Rep. MARTY RUSSO (D-IL) says any Congressman who votes for the MX should see him for a deal on the Brooklyn Bridge. DUKE v.o.-the criticism led REAGAN to set up a commission to study possibly deployment of the MX MISSILE. M/S panel of commission with chair BRENT SCOWCROFT in center. DUKE v.o.-the commission advocated putting the missiles in existing silos. C/S REAGAN seated with Rep. JIM WRIGHT (Majority Leader), shots of a meeting of REAGAN with Congressional leaders and PENTAGON BRASS. DUKE-DEMOCRATS found the SCOWCROFT plan more palatable, especially since REAGAN promised more flexibility in ARMS NEGOTIATIONS with Soviet Union. 20.03.12-C/S Rep. NORMAN DICKS (D-WA), says that there must be "bipartisan" unity, Congress should vote for SCOWCROFT COMMISSION plan. C/S Rep. J.J. PICKLE (D-TX), says REAGAN ADMINISTRATION is cooperating, Congress should meet the administration halfway. C/S Rep. LES ASPIN (D-WI), says the Scowcroft commission plan is part of comprehensive plan of arms control and foreign policy. C/S AL GORE in debate, says that Congress must be in line with REAGAN on "strategic policy". C/S a congressman, attacks DEMOCRATS for switching their positions, says the new MX plan is worse than the old one. C/S Rep. ED MARKEY, says the Reagan administration wants to spend $20 BILLION for 100 "sitting duck" missiles, as REAGAN proposes new basing modes for MX MISSILE, each is more irrational than the next. Jokes that maybe next REAGAN will propose housing the MX MISSILE in Disneyland [wouldn't be inappropriate, really]. 20.06.07-C/S Rep. BYRON DORGAN (D-ND), says that he knows the difference between a "bargaining chip" and a COW CHIP, anyone in Congress who votes for the MX ought not be trusted with the taxpayer's money. C/S Rep. LES AUCOIN (D-WI) says he's disappointed that DEMOCRATS have given in to REAGAN on the MX for a mere promise of sincerity in Arms Negotiations. C/S Rep. MARKEY, ridicules the idea that voting for the MX will get REAGAN to pursue ARMS CONTROL. C/S Rep. TOM DOWNEY (D-NY) lists REAGAN'S lousy record on ARMS CONTROL, says there's no reason to believe that new missiles will change it. Attacks CASPAR WEINBERGER and others in Administration for an excessively macho stance on ARMS CONTROL. 20.07.55-M/S House podium with Tip O'Neill, others. Graphic with titles shows the vote, with the MX MISSILE being approved by House. C/S LES ASPIN, C/S DICK GEPHARDT, says he understands why other DEMOCRATS mistrust REAGAN, but if the administration doesn't get serious about ARMS CONTROL, Congress can change it's mind.