LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
WETA "LAWMAKERS" 7/28/1983 IN 09.10.28-WETA credit/sponsor credits/title sequence 09.11.22-PAUL DUKE/LINDA WERTHEIMER/COKIE ROBERTS-discussion of REAGAN'S declining relationship with Congress since his first year in office, with MX MISSILE and FOREIGN POLICY resistance in both houses. ROBERTS-REAGAN'S decision to send thousands of troops on exercises in Central America shocking to Congress. Debates were heated after REAGAN announced that U.S. troops would go on maneuvers in Honduras. ***09.13.11-TCR JUMPS TO 09.50.20*** 09.50.20-Shots of REAGAN press conference, an African-American reporter asks why REAGAN won't make a categorical pledge not to send troops to CENTRAL AMERICA. 09.50.33-TCR JUMP TO 09.13.25 REAGAN answers somewhat gingerly that he can never rule out certain contingencies, asserts that there are no present plans to send troops. M/S HENRY KISSINGER entering press conference with Rep. ROBERT MICHEL. C/S Rep. MICHAEL BARNES (D-MD), says that REAGAN is adding to tensions and increasing militarization in Central America. M/S House rostrum. 09.14.28-C/S Rep. ED MARKEY (D-MA) arguing against REAGAN'S CENTRAL AMERICA policy, says it's a new Vietnam scenario, the public is overwhelmingly opposed. ROBERTS v.o.-MARKEY sponsored an amendment to the military spending bill that would forbid troops from going to Central America without Congress' approval. C/S Rep. PATRICIA SCHROEDER (D-CO), says as mother of 17 year old son, the amendment is very important to her. C/S JACK KEMP debating, says that REAGAN is not trying to deploy troops in a combat role, says DEMOCRATS are being too suspicious. C/S Rep. STEPHEN SOLARZ (D-NY) says there is tremendous concern about escalating American involvement in Central America. C/S Rep. MARK SILJANDER (R-MI), says that with all the commie advisors running around Central America, it's only fair for the U.S. to have some presence there, not responding will be worse. 09.16.30-M/S House rostrum. C/S Rep. WILLIAM RATCHFORD (D-CT) argues against COVERT AID to NICARAGUAN CONTRAS, says U.S. has never made friends in LATIN AMERICA by "saber rattling" and "gunboat diplomacy". C/S Rep. G.W. WHITEHURST (R-VA) says U.S. has tolerated Reds in Central America for long enough. Gets into serious RED-BAITING. C/S Rep. LEE HAMILTON (D-IN) argues that COVERT AID has only provoked MORE involvement by SOVIET UNION and CUBA in NICARAGUA and increased risk of war, driven SANDINISTAS further into the fold of Moscow. C/S Rep. BOB STUMP (R-AZ) says U.S. can't renege on its commitment to Latin American countries. 09.18.33-C/S Rep. MICKEY EDWARDS (R-OK) arguing that FOREIGN POLICY should not be partisan [i.e. that Congress should let REAGAN do whatever he wants in foreign policy???]. Rep. HAMILTON says REAGAN'S policies are wrong and opposed by 2-1 by the public, and he can't support it. C/S Rep. WILLIAM BROOMFIELD (R-MI), engages in serious RED-BAITING toward DEMOCRATS, accuses them of being willing to surrender Florida to the invading Cubans. ROBERTS v.o.-REPUBLICANS think the public would change their minds if they knew "the facts". C/S Rep. SILJANDER, says he always manages to convince citizens when he lays out "the facts" on the issue. C/S Rep. SOLARZ, says that both the obligation of leadership and public opinion dictate that he should oppose REAGAN on NICARAGUA. Rep. SILJANDER says that the Carribean is a vital trade route, can't be surrendered to the "Marxists"