The Changing Congress; A House Divided

National Educational Television and Radio Center · May 23, 1965

Concentrating on the House of Representatives, this program touches briefly on how the Congressional body has evolved; surveys the peoples hold on the House; analyzes the pressures placed on the 435 members of the House by the constituency back home and the Congress itself; explores how the Congress, despite its imperfections, provincialism and fragmentation, manages to perform enormous tasks. Considering these aspects, the program looks at the diversity and regionalism in the House, the pivotal position of southern Congressmen, the pros and cons of Congressional reforms, the seniority system, the exercise of power by the Congressional establishment, and the decline of the conservative coalition since the 1964 elections. Appearing on the program, hosted by distinguished Washington news observer, Joseph McCaffrey, are these eminent Congressional leaders who present their differing views: Speaker of the House, John W. McCormack (D Massachusetts) discusses the need for establishing friendships in Congress, why some Congressmen have power and other dont, and how party leaders often arrange matters to accommodate the members. Representative L. Mendel Rivers (D South Carolina), chairman of the armed services committee, talks about the seniority system. House Minority Leader Gerald Ford (R Michigan), referring to the decline of the GOP membership in Congress as a result of the 1964 elections, discusses the need for the Republican Party to build a party consensus and comments about the resurgence of the two-party system in the South. Representative Richard Bolling (D Missouri), author of the recent book House Out of Order, notes that Congressmens response to the wishes and needs of the constituents frequently create pressures that have little to do with some of the deeper issues. He also discusses his support for Congressional reforms. Representative George W. Grider (D Tennessee), a first-term Southerner, discusses the need for a new liberal trend in the South and expresses his stand on the Negros voting rights. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche) Covering the broad spectrum of our nation's legislative branch, "The Changing Congress" explores with interviews, commentary, film excerpts, and on-location coverage the colorful history of Congress, its evolution, development, problems, achievements, operation, inner workings, image, performances, relationship with other government branches, its function as the representative body of the American people, and future courses. The Changing Congress scrutinizes where the power lies in Congress, Washington life as seen through the activities of a Senator and Representative, the power structure and hurdles that must be surmounted for legislation to pass, the pros and cons of Congressional probes, influences of the constituency and lobby groups on Congress, the increasing dominance of the executive branch with respect to legislation, the extent to which Congress shapes foreign affairs, and proposals for Congressional reform. The series host, John F. McCaffrey, dean of Washington television news correspondents and award-winning commentator, has been an observer of the Capitol Hill scene for more than twenty years. Mr. McCaffrey started in news broadcasting while working as a newspaper reporter prior to World War II. Following active service, he joined the Washington bureau of CBS. Later, he served as Washington editor for Mutual Newsreel of the Air. In 1954, he started his own Washington bureau, serving mid-western radio and television stations. Besides appearing on television, Mr. McCaffrey hosts, "Today in Congress," the only daily radio program devoted to Capitol Hill happenings. A lecturer and author of political affairs, Mr. McCaffrey is a two-time winner of the Washington chapter of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Award. The Changing Congress is a 1965 production of National Educational Television. It consists of 9 half-hour episodes that were originally recorded on videotape. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)