Senators grapple with televised debates idea

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 28

Senators grapple with televised debates idea

By

TOM BRIDGMAN

NZPA staff correspondent Washington United States Senators, like New Zealand members of Parliament, are grappling with the concept of televised live debates.

The Senate still refuses to open itself to television, unlike the House of Representatives, which started public broadcasts in 1979 and can be seen by subscribers to cable television.

Last week, the Senate debated the issue for four hours without a decision. The Senate minority (Democrat) leader, Robert Byrd, the chief supporter of televising Senate debates, said his goal was “still to produce the votes to move this institution out of the communications dark ages and into the twentieth century before we reach the twenty-first.” A Republican, Robert Dole, of Kansas, the Senate majority leader, also supports the concept. “In my view it’s com-

ing. We ought to give it a shot,” he said. Under the latest plan being debated, Senate floor debates would be covered by radio while television coverage would be limited to the “inhouse” television system broadcast on Capitol Hill. The main opponent of televising Senate debate is a Democrat Senator, Russell Long, who argues that if it were allowed under the present rules, debate would drag on even longer than now, slowing down the work of the Senate.

Another Democrat, Senator Bennett Johnston, fears “the television tail is going to be wagging the business of the nation.”

Senator Byrd has also made the point that with the White House occupied by President Reagan, an acknowledged master of television, and the House sessions already televised, the role' and visibility of the Senate are losing prominence. He warns that the Senate, is fast becoming the “invisible half’ of the

Congress. A problem for the Senate is that unlike the House, it has unlimited debate which has led to complaints that individual Senators or small groups can tie up debate on an issue and prevent its resolution.

It is argued that Senate rules on debate time, vote roll-calls, and other rules will have to be tightened if television is to get in. Supporters of the concept argue that television has helped congressmen become sharper and better speakers.

They now speak inclipped phrases, called - “sound bites,” in the hope ’ of getting on the evening news. . }

Senator Albert Gore, « who was a member of the : House when television be-> gan, said speeches had; become more focused and carefully drafted because the congressmen knew that if they went on too long they, would hear; from constituents’ 1 who said, “Cut it out, we don’t 1 want to hear all that hot air.” , . .. ..