The Changing Congress; The Senate Life

Item Information

Title:
The Changing Congress; The Senate Life
Description:
The daily frustrations, problems, and achievements that a United States Senator experiences are characterized as The Senate Life glimpses at the activities of distinguished U.S. Senator Eugene J. McCarthy (D Minnesota). In its profile of a typical day with Senator McCarthy one of the two Democratic vice-presidential contenders for the last years nomination The Senate Life depicts the many roles demanded of a Senator legislator, politician, administrator, socializer, and, on the personal side, husband and father. The program also contrasts the typical attributes of a Senator with the untypical background of Senator McCarthy. A former professor of economics, he is one of the few ex-teachers serving the Senate. He also is one of the few Senators who rose to office by way of the House of Representatives. He served ten years in the House. A liberal intellectual, he is author of Frontiers in American Democracy, and numerous articles on government morality, the state and human freedom, and censorship. Cameras follow him to briefings with his staff in obtaining pertinent Senate business information; a debate on the civil rights bill; meetings of the Senate agriculture and finance committees, of which he is a member; a diplomatic reception; an informal press conference with a student group; meeting with constituents and lobbyists; and home with his wife and four children. (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)
Production company:
National Educational Television and Radio Center
Producer:
Karayn, Jim, 1933-1996
Producer:
McIntyre, William
Author:
McIntyre, William
Producer:
Jeffries, Peter
Creator:
McCarthy, Eugene J.
Host:
McCaffrey, John F.
Date:
May 30, 1965
Format:
Film/Video
Genre:
Documentary
Location:
Library of Congress
Collection (local):
American Archive of Public Broadcasting Collection
Series:
Library of Congress > The Changing Congress
Subjects:
Politics and Government
Extent:
00:29:30
Link to Item:
https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-512-8w3804zf1z
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Notes:
Episode Number: 2