Congressional Debates and Speeches Category Listing

Audio

Audio

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
3-27-1964
The press interviews Malcolm X and Martin Luther King amidst Senatorial debate about the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Malcolm, calling the bill 'political chicanery,' wonders whether liberals are truly for Civil Rights legislation or not. Dr. King discusses possible direct action for making sure the bill is not filibustered. He expresses his intent to test the bill if and when it is passed. He also feels that the failure to pass the bill could lead to social disruption. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law on July 2, 1964.


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Lloyd Bentsen tells why he will support John Tower's nomination as Secretary of Defense
3-8-1989
Lloyd Bentsen tells why he will support John Tower's nomination as Secretary of Defense.


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Robert Byrd says President Nixon must be prosecuted to prove equal justice under the law
8-27-1974
Robert Byrd says President Nixon must be prosecuted to prove equal justice under the law Broadcast on CBS


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Robert Byrd sees the arrival of Vietnamese as a threat to unemployed US citizens
5-6-1975
Robert Byrd sees the arrival of Vietnamese as a threat to unemployed US citizens.


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Robert Byrd cites Greco-roman history in speech opposing a declaration of support for war
1-12-1991
Robert Byrd cites Greco-roman history in speech opposing a declaration of support for war and decries the small participation by Japan and Germany in the world effort against Saddam Hussein.


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Senator Robert Byrd tells Lisa Meyers that the impeachment trial should take three or four weeks
1-6-1999
Senator Robert Byrd tells Lisa Meyers that the impeachment trial should take three or four weeks and calls President Clinton's post-impeachment press conference an act of egregious arrogance Broadcast on NBC-TV News


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Robert Carr and Philip Burton discuss cutting off funds to the Cambodian War
3-13-1975
Representatives Robert Carr and Philip Burton discuss the young Democratic congressmen's leadership in cutting off funds to continue the Cambodian War. Broadcast on CBS-TV.


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Franch Church asks for consulation with Congress about Iran hostages
4-25-1980
Frank Church asks, along with Charles Percy and Henry Jackson, for consultation with Congress before attempting military rescue missions of the hostages in Iran.


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Asa Hutchinson testifies in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton
1-14-1999
Asa Hutchinson [R-AR] testifies in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.


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Closing statements before the markup of the Bill of Impeachment for President Clinton
12-11-1998
Closing statements on the morning before the markup of the Bill of Impeachment. Speakers are: Bob Barr, Sheila Jackson Lee, William Jenkins, Robert Wexler, Asa Hutchinson, Tom Barrett, Ed Pease, Chris Cannon, James Rogan, and Lindsey Graham.


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Wiliam Colby and Representative Bella Abzug debate the role of the CIA
3-5-1975
Wiliam Colby and Representative Bella Abzug debate the propriety of the CIA file gathered on Ms. Abzug when she was a private citizen, and the role of the CIA in political assassinations around the world.


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William Colby says the CIA must remain secret
1-21-1976
William Colby says the CIA must remain secret.


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Senators' and Representatives' Reactions to Ford's Full Pardon of Former President Nixon
9-9-1974
Reaction to President Ford's full pardon of former President Richard Nixon by Senators Edward Brooke, Edmund Muskie, and Henry Jackson; and Representatives Robert McClory of Illinois and Don Edwards of California.


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Gerald Ford Appears Before the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee Concerning the Pardon of President Nixon
10-17-1974
Appearance before the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee concerning pardon of former President Nixon by Gerald Ford. Includes the voices of William Hungate, Peter Rodino, Edward Hutchinson, Henry P. Smith, Don Edwards, David Dennis, James Mann, Wiley Mayne, Elizabeth Holtzman, Lawrence J. Hogan, Robert Kastenmeier, and Walter Cronkite.


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William Bloomfield Praises President Ford's Request for More Help in Evacuating Vietnam
1-1-1975
William Broomfield, U.S. Representative from Michigan, says that he finds President Ford's request for more powers to help the speedy and safe evacuation of Vietnam reasonable and just and in no way comparable to the Tonkin Gulf resolution.


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Robert McClory States That He Sees No Need for Conflict with President Ford Over the Subpoenaed C.I.A. Records
9-29-1975
Robert McClory, U.S. Representative from Illinois, sees no reason for a confrontation with President Ford over subpoenaed C.I.A. records as the President has already promised cooperation.


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Confirmation Hearings for Alexander Haig
1-9-1981
Confirmation hearings for Alexander Haig. With the voices of Charles Matthias, Harold H. Saunders, Nancy Kassebaum, Alan Cranston, and Sam Dodd.


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George Hansen Explains Why He Asked for a Congressional Hearing Into US Relations with Iran
12-14-1979
George Hansen tells why he's asked for a Congressional hearing into US relations with Iran and defends his visit to the hostages in Teheran.


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John Heinz Presents the Congressional Ethics Committee with a Congressional Petition
9-14-1976
John Heinz presents the Congressional Ethics Committee with a petition signed by 36 members of Congress asking the committee not to force Daniel Schorr to reveal the source of his CIA expose.


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New York Congressman criticizes the administration for mishandling the crisis in the Savings and Loan industry
6-22-1990
New York Congressman criticizes the administration for mishandling the crisis in the Savings and Loan industry. President Bush tells an audience of government attourneys of the evils of white collar crime.


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Former Speaker of the House Clark speaks on Democratic Party
1-1-1920
Champ Clark, former Speaker of the House, speaks on achievements of the Democratic party, in a speech entitled Democratic Achievement.


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Senator Tower says he'll vote for an additional $300,000,000 for South Vietnam while Senator Jackson says he'll oppose it
2-12-1975
Senator Tower says he'll vote for an additional $300,000,000 for South Vietnam while Senator Jackson says he'll oppose it.


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John Tower says Cambodian military positions untenable and not salvageable.
3-12-1975
John Tower says that the Cambodian military position is untenable and not salvageable.


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Robert Taft talks about the National Vocarium
6-14-1939
Robert Taft talks about the National Vocarium.


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Robert Taft explains the terms and the purposes for the proposed enactment of the Taft-Hartley Labor Bill fighting to override President Truman's veto
6-22-1947
Robert Taft explains the terms and the purposes for the proposed enactment of the Taft-Hartley Labor Bill fighting to override President Truman's veto.


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Speech on the Lend-lease Bill
1-1-1700
Speech on the Lend-Lease Bill.


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Tip O'Neill reads details of the censure resolution of Charles C. Diggs to Congress while Diggs stands before him
7-31-1979
Tip O'Neill reads details of the censure resolution of Charles C. Diggs to Congress while Diggs stands before him.


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Tip O'Neill reads the unanimous (414 to 1) resolution of censure against Michigan congressman, Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
8-1-1979
Tip O'Neill reads the unanimous (414 to 1) resolution of censure against Michigan congressman, Charles C. Diggs, Jr.


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Edward Kennedy and Abraham Ribicoff testify on gun control, following two attempts on President Gerald Ford's life.
10-8-1975
Edward Kennedy and Abraham Ribicoff testify on gun control, following two attempts on President Gerald Ford's life.


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Senators Abraham Ribicoff and Charles Percy tell the press that their investigation of Bert Lance's financial affairs has turned up alleged irregularities
9-6-1977
Senators Abraham Ribicoff and Charles Percy tell the press that their investigation of Bert Lance's financial affairs has turned up alleged irregularities, which they have forwarded to the President and to the other members of the Senate Banking Committee.


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Robert Bloom tells the Senate committee investigating Bert Lance why he withheld damning information from Senators Charles Percy and Abraham Ribicoff, and their colleagues, concerning Bert Lance
9-12-1977
Robert Bloom tells the Senate committee investigating Bert Lance why he withheld damning information from Senators Charles Percy and Abraham Ribicoff, and their colleagues, concerning Bert Lance. With the voices of Abraham Ribicoff and Charles Percy.


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Senate Debate on the Appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
10-15-1991
Part of the Senate debate on the Clarence Thomas appointment to the United States Supreme Court, centering on the vailidity of the testimony of Professor Anita Hill, her treatment by the Senate, and the publicity given to her testimony.


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Joseph Biden, U.S. Senator from Delaware, delivers the Democrats' response to the President's drug war proposal
9-5-1989
Joseph Biden, U.S. Senator from Delaware, delivers the Democrats' response to the President's drug war proposal with a six point proposal saying by way of preamble that twenty years of executive failure and one cent on the dollar financing won't do the job.


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Thomas Foley responds to the State of the Union address by President Bush
1-31-1990
Thomas Foley responds to the State of the Union address by President Bush.


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Edward Kennedy testifies on gun control, following two attempts on President Ford's life. With Abraham Ribicoff.
10-8-1975
Edward Kennedy testifies on gun control, following two attempts on President Ford's life. With Abraham Ribicoff.


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Harry S. Truman addressing a special joint session of 80th Congress
8-14-1948
Harry S. Truman addressing a special joint session of 80th Congress. Truman urges precautionary measures against inflation and asks for housing and other legislation.


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Mark Hatfield Speaks at the Dedication of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
5-2-1997
Senator Mark Hatfield speaks at the dedication of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.


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George Mitchell Seeks Support for the Bipartisan Deficit Reduction Plan
10-2-1990
Senator Mitchell asks support for the bipartisan deficit reduction plan.


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Bert Lance Reads a Statement to Vindicate Himself Before the Senate Committee on Banking
9-15-1977
Bert Lance reads a forty-nine page statement to vindicate himself before the Senate Committee on Banking. With the voice of Senator Abraham Ribicoff.


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Hubert Humphrey Speaks His Opinion of Lyndon B. Johnson
11-23-1963
Ray Shearer of NBC Washington speaks with Senator Hubert Humphrey about his opinion of the new President Lyndon B. Johnson.


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Hubert Humphrey Speaks on Tax Relief and Inflation
10-1-1975
Senator Hubert Humphrey says failure to continue tax relief during inflation will work a hardship on individuals and businesses.


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Hubert Humphrey Talks About Government Funding of the Arts
9-30-1975
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey talks about government funding of the arts.


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Hubert Humphrey's Last Speech
1-1-1978
Senator Hubert Humphrey's last speech. He speaks of his health, his wife, sports, other senators, and other assorted issues.


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Hugh Scott Discusses Richard Nixon's Resignation
8-9-1974
Senator Hugh Scott is interviewed on the day after President Richard Nixon's resignation.


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Jacob Javits Speaks on the National Theater Bill
1-1-1949
Javits speaks on the National Theater Bill proposed in Congress in 1949.


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Jim Wright Answers Questions on a Variety of Political Issues
5-6-1981
Jim Wright answers questions about the Reagan popularity, the Reagan budget, his role as majority leader in a House which does not follow his lead, and tells a William Jennings Bryan rule of thumb for telling Democrats from Republicans.


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Address by Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin on Trumanism
11-24-1953
Address by Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin on Trumanism.


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John W. McCormack gives thanks to those who voted for him as Speaker of the House and is sworn in as Speaker of the House.
1-10-1962
John W. McCormack gives thanks to those who voted for him as Speaker of the House and is sworn in as Speaker of the House.


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Sam Rayburn discusses his long service in the House of Representatives
6-12-1961
CBS Radio interview. Sam Rayburn discusses his long service in the House of Representatives.


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Senator McIntyre votes to give federal funding to New York City.
10-22-1975
Senator McIntyre votes to give federal funding to New York City.


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Walter Mondale calls the role on the first Panama Canal vote
3-16-1978
Walter Mondale calls the role on the first Panama Canal vote. With Senators James Abourezk and James Allen.


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Walter Mondale bids Jimmy Carter Rosalynn and Amy bon voyage as they leave for Venezuela Brazil Nigeria and Liberia announces that Zbigniew Brzezinski is going along.
3-28-1978
Walter Mondale bids Jimmy Carter Rosalynn and Amy bon voyage as they leave for Venezuela, Brazil, Nigeria, and Liberia announces that Zbigniew Brzezinski is going along.


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William E. Simon testifies before a Senate committee investigating the Secret Service
9-30-1975
William E. Simon testifies before a Senate committee investigating the Secret Service. Simon states that the increasing number of threats to the President's life result in large part from the national publicity given to would-be assailants.


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William Proxmire discusses auto emission standards
1-14-1975
William Proxmire discusses auto emission standards. Proxmire is angered at 5-year delay in auto emissions standards as President Ford's way of saving fuel, says the fight in the Senate on this issue is far from over.


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Mike Mansfield Replies to Richard Nixon's State of the Union Address
2-1-1974
Excerpts of Mike Mansfield's reply to the State of the Union address by President Richard Nixon.


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Nelson Rockefeller Discusses His Commision Investigating the CIA and the FBI
2-18-1974
Nelson Rockefeller says his commission investigating the CIA and the FBI will leave no stone unturned.


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Newt Gingrich's First Report as Speaker of the House
1-1-1700
Newt Gingrich's first report as Speaker of the House, after the first one hundred days of Republican majority.


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Champ Clark's Speech, "Democratic Achievement"
1-1-1920
Champ Clark, former Speaker of the House, speaks on achievements of the Democratic party, in a speech entitled "Democratic Achievement".


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Thomas Harkin Rejects an Offer of Emergency Aid for Farmers
2-3-1985
Harkin rejects Budget Director David Stockman's offer of temporary emergency aid for farmers.


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Richard Gephardt Speaks of the Democratic Plans for the 104th Congress
1-4-1995
House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt tells reporters what the Democrats plan to do in the 104th Congress.


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John Glenn Delivers the Keynote Address for the Democratic National Convention
7-12-1976
Senator John Glenn delivers the keynote address in the form of a prayer, opening the Democratic National Convention in New York City.


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John Glenn Explains His Opposition to Discriminatory Housing Legislation
12-13-1983
Senator John Glenn tells why he opposes legislation which would prevent housing discrimination against homosexuals.


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Robert Dole Accepts Honors on His Last Day as Senate Majority Leader
6-11-1996
Sen. Bob Dole [R-KS] rises in the Senate on his last day to acknowledge accolades from his colleagues and the renaming of a portion of the building for him.


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Bella Abzug Speaks on Women in Government and the Vietnamese Conflict
2-11-1971
Shirley Chrisholm introduces Bella Abzug at a conference in Washington D.C. Abzug begins by speaking of the role of women in government, and the underrepresentation of women and minorities in the current Congress. She goes on to speak of the lies and deception on behalf of the United States government concerning the war in Vietnam, and of ending the conflict. There is a question and answer segment following her speech, addressing more issues surrounding the war, including Abzug's desire to set a specific date for withrawing U.S. troops, and the problem of drug use among American soldiers in Southeast Asia.


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Carter's National Energy Plan delivered before a joint session of Congress
4-20-1977
President Carter outlines his National Energy Plan. The plan consists of four strategies: conservation of fuel used for transportation and for heating and cooling, regulation of pricing, conversion from scarce fuels to coal, and development of permanent and reliable new energy sources. He discusses these strategies as well as the goals of his plan in detail.


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WETA Television Presents,
4-1-1965
WETA television and the American University present lectures by United States senators delivered as part of a course dealing with the place of the Senate in the American political system. After being introduced by Harold H. Hudson, Sam J. Ervin Jr. of North Carolina discusses the role of the southern senator. Ervin gives some insights into the process of governmental action and the experience of being a senator. After his lecture, Ervin answers questions posed to him concerning his speech, other issues surrounding southern senators, and government in general.


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S.I. Hayakawa Speaks Before a Subcommittee of the House Education Committee Concerning Campus Unrest
2-3-1969
An unidentified member of the House Education Committee, along with Dr. Hayakawa, acting President of San Francisco State College, respond to questions concerning student unrest on college campuses. Dr. Hayakawa elaborates on previous statements, including the concern that academic freedom is being threatened.


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The Press Interviews Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Amidst Senatorial Debate about the Civil Rights Act of 1964
3-27-1964
The press interviews Malcolm X and Martin Luther King amidst Senatorial debate about the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Malcolm, calling the bill 'political chicanery,' wonders whether liberals are truly for Civil Rights legislation or not. Dr. King discusses possible direct action for making sure the bill is not filibustered. He expresses his intent to test the bill if and when it is passed. He also feels that the failure to pass the bill could lead to social disruption. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law on July 2, 1964.


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