LAWMAKERS
LAWMAKERS
14.05.36-DUKE-intro summary of the 1983 session, introduces Norman Ornstein to comment. Discussion of the session: IMMIGRATION REFORM and WOMEN'S ISSUES didn't really get resolved, nor did DEFICIT REDUCTION. APPROPRIATIONS BILLS got passed, including the LARGEST DEFENSE BILL IN HISTORY. DEFICIT REDUCTION failure a bitter remnant, but early in the year, SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM was a major achievement, and Congress did force REAGAN to acknowledge the validity of the WAR POWERS ACT. Congress has taken the step of granting itself power to reconvene during recess, ordinarily reserved only to the President, out of fear that REAGAN might instigate military action during the recess. Discussion of Congressional tension over REAGAN'S foreign policy, however, Congress gave REAGAN almost everything he wanted on FOREIGN POLICY anyway. Domestically, Congress restored some past budget cuts, but didn't add new programs or spending. Discussion of new faces and retirements, with HOWARD BAKER having some trouble as a lame-duck majority leader. 14.09.54-discussion of probable agenda of 1984 session of Congress, complicated by the fact that it's election year-Members will spend a lot of time in home districts and researching DEFICIT ISSUE to decide the best stance to take on TAXES, SPENDING, and DEFICITS.