LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
20.08.38-DUKE/ROBERTS/WERTHEIMER-discussion of the LATIN AMERICA debate, partisanship, and angry confrontations and name-calling [i.e. RED BAITING], DEMOCRATS worried by the revival of RED-BAITING. DUKE-intro interview with Rep. DANTE FASCELL (D-FL). 20.11.09-C/S Rep. FASCELL in office. discusses concerns about U.S. troops possibly being sent to LATIN AMERICA. The REAGAN ADMINISTRATION'S belligerent rhetoric is no comfort. There is no consensus that the Communist menace in LATIN AMERICA is serious enough to consider sending troops, but no one wants the countries of Central American to "go Communistic". It is not clear what role the U.S. should take. DUKE asks if Vietnam has taught that the U.S. shouldn't get involved unless it's willing to go to total war. FASCELL agrees, but the factor of SOVIET BLOC ASSISTANCE makes it more complicated. Major SOVIET penetration would make people want to take some action. 20.15.12-DUKE-ROBERTS intro report on BUDGET DEBATE and joint conference of Senate and House Budget Committees. C/S Rep. JAMES JONES (D-OK) handing off leadership to Sen. PETE DOMENICI (R-NM). Rep. ED BETHUNE (R-Ark.) argues that REAGAN has the veto power and the conference will probably work for nothing. C/S Rep. TIM WIRTH (D-CO) says that REAGAN will complicate matters for the conference if he vetoes. ROBERTS v.o.-REAGAN does seem to be pursuing a strategy of non-cooperation with congress, opposed to the DEFICIT-REDUCTION emphasis of budgets. HOUSE REPUBLICANS appear willing to go along with a veto strategy. Shots of REPUBLICANS entering a meeting. C/S Rep. DAVID OBEY (D-WI) says REAGAN wants to continue his economic program and blame CONGRESS for the DEFICIT. ROBERTS-DEMOCRATS want to bring appropriations bills to vote even if REAGAN vetoes them so they will appear responsible. Shots of House floor debates. C/S AL GORE defending a large appropriation for the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, says the public wants MORE ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT. C/S TIM WIRTH in debate, says Congress must ensure a clean environment. C/S WIRTH in office-public wants stronger, not weaker, environmental laws. This is a strong issue for DEMOCRATS who want to keep it on the front burner.