The Congress went on a one-month recess 1st of August the idea of being together lawmakers a chance to get away from the routine of Washington, then let's let them come back to their home districts to do some work for their constituents as well. We thought it would be appropriate during these 10 hours during the recess to give the members from our region a chance to come in and visit with us and with you this morning, I guess just Congressman Bruce vento from the 4th District 2 weeks from this morning. It will be Don Frazier from V. We issued invitations to Bill friends will from the third and I'll call you from the first, but their schedules would not prevent an appearance this month. We certainly hope you'll be able to join us later in the fall or perhaps next letter.Bruce vento was elected to the Congress from the 4th District last November. He serves on the Banking Committee and the interior committee prior to his election to Congress. Mr. Bento serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives first serving in 1970 and finally winding up his vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee and chairman of the general legislation of Veterans Affairs Committee in the Minnesota house. We would like at this point to welcome your questions as well this morning, and if you would like to put a question to Congressman ventral Dental you can do so by calling 291 12:20 2291 12:42 in the Twin Cities area or in Southeastern, Minnesota. 800-652-9700 Congressman about the last thing the house did before it recessed for this little vacation was passed the energy bill understand that you played a role in that serving on the Banking Committee dealing with some incentives for weatherization. Could you lower that little bit before us certainly Bob the Banking Committee dealt with the supplemental state to energy plan proposal and the role of Utilities in terms of providing the inspection and assessment service to different residential dwelling in addition to that. Of course, we've provided some incense for weatherization for thermal efficiency. And these incentives are geared to different regions the country as they need two different different to Quality or different to call the implemented changes in residential dwellings to attain thermal efficiency. What we did course, it provides an increased alone capacity for low-income persons. We Also course I recognized that that there's a necessity besides providing that they have ability to install it. So we acted on some legislation to provide to see de Alba in installing the insulation weatherization low-income dwellings. We dealt with some public housing improvements and to provide weatherization for them because of course we are in fact de facto owners of that type of Housing and in addition to that we acted and reviewed with the ways Means Committee the various a credit Provisions are which pasta subsequently passed the house recently. There's a $400 credit if an individual spends at the $2,000 on the weatherization, that means that can be anything from black glass in the southern part of the United States to course, I insulation and new storm windows and doors in in our community. Send so there is that stipulation in addition to that. I think it's important to recognize another fact and that is the solar energy modifications an individual can receive up to us the $2,150 credit for installation of a $10,000 a solar energy investment. So it definitely puts an emphasis in that direction and also expand the lawn limits for some of the conventional loan Federal reinsured the mortgages which provide that they will be greater recognize the increased cost of a solar energy and solar equipment. Usually of course, that's all there is an additional heating unit additional power unit 2 to an auxiliary oil or some other form of energy facility that the service residential dwelling now, when will when will these Provisions go into effect at all. See the bill has to pass the Senate first and they're most likely be a conference committee and so on so forth. Spite of us some of the negative comments that we've heard earlier from the Senate on the house energy Bella. Obviously that that they will act on a substantially on these particular provisions of the bill there disagreements about the incentives are disagreements about deregulation of natural gas and and a number of other issues. But these particular Provisions that deal with the conservation aspects. I have received a substantial support. The effect would be there any money that was spent after April 20th the 1977, which would then the words would be retroactive would be covered by these particular up provisions of the bill and are they would stay into effect until 1984 not a president had recommended 1982 but we felt that he wanted to spread this out just a little bit more some of the early work at we didn't the Banking Committee through the the president's Council on economic instability indicated that that the insulation the passage Bruce Springsteen's the insulation weatherization. Alex was limited and that we would have to I will have to spread that out there over that length of time if we are going to actually accomplish the goals that we had set out to accomplish. So a person could go through the process of the putting some extra attic insulation in their home for this coming winter and be relatively certain that they will be qualified for the tax credit. I know that the both of minority and majority in the Senate seem to to favor that as well as in the house. So I think that those that money spent on that would be subject to an income tax deduction or credit almost for certain I guess this morning is Congressman Bruce vento from the 4th District. He is a live in our studios in st. Paul today. And if you would like to put a question to the congressman, you're certainly welcome to do so by giving us a call at 2 9 1 1 2 2 2 2 9 1 1 2 2 2 congressman despite the aspects of the conservation which will be promoted. Their the legislation doesn't really seem to get at one of the biggest energy consumers that we have in that is the private automobile. There is no additional tax on gasoline. There's no real penalty for people who want to continue driving their cars. How do you think Congress is going to come to grips with that issue at some point? We're all that. That's a tough the tough problem that I supported some some changes that were not accomplished in the bill though. We did we do have the gas guzzler tax that was put into to effect on this bill. We have a tougher mileage standards. Put into effect and you know, so those are those are online and do exist incidentally there also as well head tax and oil which will be rebated but do not necessarily on the basis how much driving and individual does so there will be a slightly higher costs associated with those that do more driving as opposed to those that do less or not. So that that aspect willing it a sin to create a negative incentive to drive to drive more but there is some practical problems with the with that that we did increase if for instance the the price of crude oil a note that did this morning's paper for instance the FDA approved three changes which will result in higher costs. And I think that we are headed to for higher gasoline costs and and and in spite of the efforts to try and hold those down. So let's it's going to be a problem until we can when I think for instance that the other definitely a necessity for extra funds for mass transit. Raise it. There's also a necessity for instance to pay for the cost of deteriorating type of roadways and bridges as we do cut down consumption. We will find that the less the gas tax revenue is raised and as a consequence of these these facilities are going to end up in disrepair. So there are a number of factors pushing to a to increase the cost of this including including inflation and it's going to be a substantial change in terms of in terms of use of the automobile as we knew it that we did try to pass and I think it regrettably failed the vanpool. Concept for federal employees. So I think that that that's one of the factors were we fell down the house and terms not to not implementing that something that's really been demonstrated in our area by Honeywell in real man as a very effective butt type of means of reducing dependence on the the automobile. What Congressman I think there is a collar standing by online. Then. Let's see what their question is. How long you're on the air. Donnie Waters here in St. Paul and also up Annie Lee went and whether or not there is going to be some kind of resolving between the two different different bills or whether not one bill is the Fraser bill of the oldest our bill will win out over each other. Well, I am in response to that. I think that once we eliminate the hyperbole a lot of both hearing things that both of those that were in favor of God on Fraser's Bill and Jim oldest arts building in the iliac earrings that that we did have some I think develop some insights. At least I didn't I think that the that my colleagues didn't you in terms of the terms of this issue that they that we hadn't had that before my role in this comes about because of my service on the interior committee. So it's an issue that that you know, Do a freshman. I didn't relish are getting in between my two Democratic colleagues within the state on this issue. But frankly, it's something I think that we can resolve. I think that I hope that I can bring them closer together. And I finally the the the subcommittee headed by Phillip Burton who appointed me to chair the hearings. I think that we will be able to resolve that issue. I don't think that'll be the Fraser Billy don't think that necessarily be the oldest tarbill. I start out there for my own perspective and supportive of the Fraser a concept of wilderness, but I think that also understand that we want to show some sensitivity to The Economic Consequences of our actions and turn the designation and look at some means to attain that particular and I think it can be done and I've got some strong and healthy and the committee chairman feel burdened said this is the number one issue that is before his committee and he's going to keep after it until it's all good. We just recently open. After your Washington hearings as you may have heard and we're going to continue to work on it. I think we've been asking some tough questions. I've made some some additional proposal. So I think Jim and Don came in proposed their initial love you point out of but I think that now after this recess after further consideration that we're going to be able to move and I think it's imperative that we make a a sincere effort to try and up Reserve this sat 1 million acres is such a unique and a tremendous resource that we should be faulted if if we don't have there been any hard negotiations between the freezer and oversteer. Well, I think that they're talking I've been involved in a meeting with them two are hearings in in Ely in St. Paul and course. I've been trying to work with and I think that we're moving along or finding that there are many areas of common agreement as I pointed out repeatedly. In my letters a to colleagues and constituents in terms of banning of mining Banning of the Virgin Forest cutting it logging. There's a there's a goodly amount of agreement everyone agrees on the permit system for utilization of the bwca as it's been in force. I'd like to spread that two to one day you so there's there's a substantial agreement that everyone that that that's woke up at the hearings practically recognize the necessity to to save to save that resource in to preserve it. I think the argument breaks down as to how we can do that how we can use it still at 10 that are so there's that I wouldn't fit there's been hard negotiation, but I think there's been there's been some I've done I've seen some movement. I think that my role is to continue to to help that roll along without losing the essence of what we're trying to save. Okay, thank you for that call. Now. Let's move on to her next listener. Hello, you're on the year leading abortionist. What's the Ramsey County coroner and everyone use it and why did you vote for a return to that kind of official photography the the vote to ban the use of the public funds of course is one that this suggests the government is not going to to finance that are you both for a legal abortion? Well, I didn't didn't vote for illegal abortions. What we did is avoided to exclude the use of federal funds for that purpose illegal abortion for those who differ with you. You don't know much about it. I didn't want to let it to make decisions for your female constituents. Did you know that viewpoints and the communicate with people on the basis of where you are in issues now is try to to answer the questions during campaigns and after and we're just trying to do the best I think and that's that's right. That's right. Come down at issue. It's a tough issue. You're not going to satisfy everyone in their constituency with regards to to every issue that we make decisions on some of the argument on that subject has been in that it is essentially discriminatory against poor women women who can afford to pay a doctor for an abortion can continue to receive one. It's only those who can't afford the money that are going to be denied them. What is your well, I think that there are a variety of of means to to meet and to obtain medical coverage and that the Public Funding does play a role in it. I think the question Talks about the necessity of finding that the publicly and so it doesn't preclude it simply suggest that we're not going to find it publicly there a variety of public decisions and things that we decide not to not to find them. It's a it's a tough issue. It's it's controversial and obviously I die. Just my own feelings are that I don't think it's necessary for us to fund that particular medical process. We have another caller standing by. Hello. You're on the air at foot dragging on the clean air and so on but my concern is that the energy bill is not seizing on any kind of real effort toward mass transit vote Interstate, you know, interstate and intrastate and I know we're much bigger countries and European countries are but they have they have all these problems to some extent by the centralization the ease with which you can you can board and and I'm bored and I don't think why we haven't made a national effort. Can you be frank about the things that are standing in the way of this? Obviously the American Automobile is almost become a way of life part of our society very intricate part. Economic incentives and end jobs and employment business recently passed energy build that that that we find a set of prints and some of her colleagues think that it's called for too much sacrifice and it's too drastic a change and in one breath, of course says that we have that type of criticism in the other. They Simon says that doesn't do enough. I guess I come down the side of wine to do more. I think that I start out to pretty idealistic. I think that many doubts whether Congress could even come to grips with his you know, one of the things we've done that sort of has been overshadowed by the passage of the energy bill is the creation of a and energy Department. We did that in a very rather short. Of time only about seven months since Congress is in session and that's a significant step in terms of trying to coordinate the executive agency. We coordinated ourselves and terms of creation an ad hoc committee involving a 6 or 7th, but he's a different jurisdiction one. Which I served on the allergy pill and I think that will want to put that in place and I think it's a good framework. It isn't the last answer doesn't provide. I think that there's going to be a need for the future congresses and the American people to make termination. I think that we've got and I have a responsibility to try and that work with my constituents and bring them along and inform them the best I can on an issues that are before Congress. I think that we find a great misunderstanding in terms of whether or not there's an energy crisis whether it's something that's caused by by the conduct of OPEC and the national of the large multinational Oil Corporation. Well, I have some misgivings about their conduct and what might be done to improve improve on that situation. I think that if the impression that's left is that we don't have a fossil fuel and energy problem. I think it's it that's too bad. We don't want to leave that impression because there is a limited amount of that. There are some environmental consequences as you pointed out the early in your Mark's that result from burning of the oil from gas from fossil fuels and they're going to have their going to we're going to have to come to grips with those if we're going to a contained continue to have the type of quality of life that you're saying that that we have to have an educated public that I think we do we have to have I think that we have to have some educated Congressman. I think that we have responsibilities to delete in terms of trying to point the direction to to realistically try to come to grips with those problems are not pleasant might Maine voting for a gas tank piping voting for an extra extra cost increase and trying to shift some of those are resources into at the mass transit might mean subsidizing Amtrak and continuing the types of service over a short run because in the long run those types that type of service is a response to the Need to this country. And so there is some different commands that have to be made early and that we have to we have to be out in front. It is now as the nest really popular thing to do ask her for increase in taxes to pay for these things, but never never the less, you know, we we have to we have to be willing to face up to that then to the try to work together to solve them. I think Congress and I'm close to it than not able to always compare. I guess based on the fact that I'm I'm working there now as as some of the constituent everybody think they've come to grips to thank those two points should offer some hope for those that there might spare it are willing to deal with that in terms of the creation this new department and this energy bill which is by no means is perfect. But I think it's just a it certainly is a step in the right direction with another listener standing by ready to put a question to your Congressman. Hello. You're on the air. It's before the Senate and the house in Washington to create a consumer protection agency. And I like you to give me the numbers of those build an end explained about how you feel about it. I regret that I don't have the numbers on the tip of my my tongue. But if you would leave your name and so forth with the with one of the one of her assistants here why we could we could be able to happy to get a copy of one of those proposals back to you. I favor the creation of consumer agency at the national level. Currently. We have consumer Advocates a distributed throughout the executive branch. I think that the distance a sense of order and and reorganization at the president's proposal to bring them together and do a consumer agency is appropriate and the one that would not only streamline but make that the agency a better advocate for consumers that currently in the interior committing which I serve and Judiciary Committee in which I don't serve. Looking at that and I'm sure another committees in Congress are looking at trying to find intervenors to be able to get involved in various types of Suits whether it's a nuclear power plant location or variety of other a consumer type interest and I think that that itself us speaks for the necessity the dissatisfaction in the sacity to provide for an orderly process for involvement of consumers in a variety of issues. We we have in fact in the new energy Department that we created to instituted a an office and overview office which would be helpful. But I I really fall down the side of attempting to to get that implemented. I I think that there is justifiably some misgivings and part two of our of our of the business Community because I think the Specter of consumer agencies and some guys is threatening but nevertheless I think they have to come to understand that properly and orderly participation. I buy a consumer Advocate at the national level would actually serve as a server. Benefit businesses that are conducting airfares properly and certainly gives the degree of confidence and attention to that consumers deserve another color is standing by. Hello. You're on the air. Hello Converse invented. I'm just curious. Are you aware of the tax money that goes into institutionalizing Pat a child abuse. There are institutions all over the country specifically are mostly in practice in Arizona that use taxpayers money to have these trains training schools. I don't know what they trying to raise children for any children are put in these places that are like prisons. They are prisons and many times are put in there for running away from home from a terrible situation of sexual abuse abuse and tax money pays for this now. We are I think in an epidemic thing with child abuse It's just the tip of the iceberg and there is a program right now call parents Anonymous. And from what I understand is that the monies that are supposedly going from friendly friending them is going to be discontinued in September now that is done but it'll be two steps backwards from what we're trying to do the child abuse situations because I think there's a stick correlation between child abuse juvenile delinquency and crime now, what do you know about this federally funded program that will be discontinued and if you know anything about it, what do you intend to do about it? I'm not too familiar with the parents Anonymous and the basis on which it was funded too frequently of the federal government may have a number of small projects large projects that are fighting over a short. Of time than their spun off and it's assumed that the states and in instances May absorb them or that they may become a privately funded. In any event the situations that to mention that in Texas or not the not subject so with which I have any understanding at this particular point in time, but nevertheless, I know that serving the legislature and Congress there seems to be a greater awareness and concern about the child abuse today as what is that what they existed in the past. I certainly I concur that the different modes of changing behavior for for juveniles for children are are available what constitutes rehabilitation in our state that if we do a good job, but I don't think it's perfect. I think we trying to put the adequate resources and we've we've designated to the schools of to try and try and assist with the special learning and behavior problems or disabilities that that students have our our address here and this so hopefully that type of model that we have in Minnesota with the direction. I've been given in terms of the federal policy will be replicated in other states and one thing courses that we just don't the at the national level put the paper resources behind those policies that that they justify hope that that the serving in Congress and with the many other new members of Congress. So that that just inference in the Democratic side of the aisle. There are some hundred and thirty new members in the last 2 years that are serving in Congress that we can change some of the priorities that we have had and still adequately meat to our national security needs but that's realize it some of the internal problems in terms of employment some of the internal problems in terms of Education should receive a new and added emphasis and strong support the federal government. I think child abuse and the concern that has a has a rose about it in Minnesota and throughout this country is a very appropriate to thing for Congress to to come to grips with and try to provide State assistance, I don't think the Congress itself sitting in Washington can make all the decisions with regards to a rehabilitation institutions dealing with education. I think we have to decentralize and provide some of that responsibility to States, but I think we have to hold them accountable for how they spend that money in your point. I think in that in that sense is is very well taken and I hope in my service in Congress that I'll learn more about the issues that you've mentioned and can answer them in on my background is in education and taught for 10 years very concerned about what happens to the youngsters in our society and what we can do to increase their their success. Coming up on 28 minutes past the hour now or Live guest in our Saint Paul Studios. Today is Congressman Bruce vento representing the 4th District in Minnesota. We have a listener on the line with a question for you Congressman. Good morning around the air turn into a debate on abortion issue Congressman Dental. I feel that I should let you know that a great many people here in St. Paul and throughout the state applied your position on the issue with Federal funding. I think it's just great that you and many of our other Minnesota congressman who recognize the fact that minnesotans and I think Americans in general to not feel that tax money should be spent to fund abortions and its people who are concerned about some poor women not being able to afford this song America service. I think I forgetting the fundamental question which is does one human being have the right to take the life of another human being and whether the Rich or poor I don't think is the real issue. We have to remember that that see us as some people call. It is a human life and I am very encouraged by the atmosphere seems that the federal government is being very concerned about pro-family and pro-life values and I hope this trend continues and I thank you for your thank you for your comments. I don't want the program and turn into a debate on that particular issue. I think that I'm happy in all to relate accurately. I want my position to know it's her and issues. This is it's a tough issue. I know that the that are constituents that's route state or closely divided on the issue. I have strong feelings and I'll tell you that any of us that the voting issues go through a great deal of anxiety and trying to resolve the conflict that scenario. I think that that sounds a while you can find out in an equity here. I think that I want does an innocence will come to exist but it is one. I think that light of values and so forth and discussion of positions at we Advocate during campaigns. We are too dry to provide some continuity between the things we say in campaigns what we do and we're serving office. I think that I'll leave it rest of that color on the lion. Hello. You're on the air. Would you support a bill making such discrimination illegal? Well, I think of you want to seriously consider that I'm not too familiar with all the statistics on it, but I certainly don't have not supported legislation to to Bard arbitrarily Barra individuals from employment on on that basis or or from a variety of other things. So I think it's it's a very it today. It's an issue an interesting ly enough with the Martian with the FX channel preference and end School bussing. All those issues have been voted on by Congress already this year. So those all the comments about the fact that Congress isn't willing to come to is you they're trying to Deca issues sort of my mind. I at least have been laid aside their those are issues that that come to Congress we have to take up and hopefully the other decisions that we make will be responsible. I I don't know that I'm prepared to support the legislation on that issue. We have it in effect in the number. Places. I I certainly would I don't know that needs to be added as a clause to the Civil Rights human rights provisions of this is country. I'd like certainly like to look at and see where the demonstrated if the need to demonstrate and hopefully it would not be necessary to have because of because I would not be going on. Well, I wish it was necessary to but I think the fact remains that people really are being discriminated against and because it is such a topic you don't always know about it, but it's going on and even if it's not having to very many they still need the protection and thank you for your input on that. No, I no reason to stop dealing with controversial questions now Congressman you sent to President Carter a letter. I think it was maybe last month or judging him to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the Korean influence buying Scandal and design to stand up. There were there was a meeting the Attorney General Griffin Bill Hail to the number of congressmen and the newer people were particularly unhappy with the outcome of that the fact that he didn't answer any questions and so on you think this represent sort of any kind of movement within the the Congress among the younger members for dissatisfaction with the old gather around and protect the club type attitude, you know, the Korean influence issue or Scandal is a very easy one for a new member to to articulate on + 2 + fact, you know, what is a demagogue on because none of us are involved in that we weren't there so we couldn't be involved and so we're clear where is wide is the new drive in snow, but I think we watch I wanted to be Turn about it. Then that's why is a freshman group The 95th the new members caucus in December and there are some 48 of us at that point now, they're 47, but in any case, so we immediately road to the the speaker elect at that point and Arden told him what are concerns were we've subsequently followed up on that we had written. In fact, we had to Jack Flynn Flynn the chairman of the committee on standards of official conduct known as the Ethics Committee and discuss this particular issue with us in December and I get no sound. Very strongly that he would not be capable of doing the type of job that we felt would reflect well on Congress nevertheless. The decision was made by the entire a caucus and kind of risk to elect him as a chairman of that committee. We subsequently wrote letters to 22 Jacqueline. We wrote letters to the attorney general and to everyone that's been involved in this as new members. I sign a letter asking Finally for the appointment of special prosecutor in light of the the blow up with regards to a fellow feel lack of ARA and his resignation as Chief counsel to the Ethics Committee. It's been it's a tough issue and you know, I'm talking to some of my friends Pete. Rodino who I cherish the Judiciary Committee he pointed out to me the criticism that he received as trying to deal with the Watergate issue and he felt it was very unfair and he was a somewhat the supportive of saying let the investigation go forward after all committee members that serve in there and we hear a good deal of discussion from some of them that are try think tempting to use it as a a platform for for their own for their own the personal gain, but you here right here discussion that the after all those members don't carry on the investigation. A member of Congress has a very difficult time what they do is direct staff and so depending upon who the staff of Is that that becomes a very important issue? I think that's pretty much felt been laid to the concerns have been laid to rest by the fact that you're off Ski Doo rxp. Leon Jaworski was appointed as a special counsel. Will you pick we went to the speaker at the point at that point that look you're going to have to do something about this but we feel that the investigation has become hopelessly bogged down. We think that there's been a military tactics on the part of the chairman and the speaker personally, but his Integrity behind the appointment of Leon Jaworski and the fact that investigates would go forward special prosecutor. I supported under the circumstance of lack of air is a resignation in the fact that thing appeared to be bogged. I think that now we while the president didn't accept that. I think that the alternative that has occurred is a is a positive one is a good one and we're closely following that and I think there's a risk of other said Franklin members were not affected to to almost use that as a political political or two, and I don't think that I want to do that and I don't think very many members of many many members freshman talk to sign either side of the aisle really want to do that. There are some that that having that are incidentally the thing to remember about the this is that the justice department is dealing with the crimes or with any type of criminal activities that occurred something that was illegal. We really are dealing with an Ethics Committee condict that is not appropriate for a congressman and that I want to tell you is a gray area. It's a nebulous area. There may be some things that you may think that are wholly inappropriate and others which which which Congress may think are wholly inappropriate but we have available to us even after we find that very little recourse we friends can't we can't do take some one seat away from he's been elected by the people we could do that. That's a drastic move. I think more appropriately what we can do is if someone is in a position where they are going to receive a committee chairmanship her position of responsibility we can deny As we do with Bob Sykes who we felt had been I had to committed to her had had some improprieties and terms of his conduct. Nothing illegal. We thought it was improper conduct. So we have very few Alternatives in in terms of dealing with official conduct of the Congress and we have some laws that they break a lock or worse than that really becomes applicable in a court of law not necessarily in Congress. So I think that's something that the individual I keep in mind incidentally Griffith Bell has reported to do the Freshman caucus and to the members of Congress number of instances. We were just satisfied with his first response, but subsequently assistant has come back and it's giving us more information. I feel very good about it is not something that we can publicized. There will be I think some of the prosecution's and some grand jury called with regards to some of the some of the issues. It's unfortunate because I think that it's it's worth it. Obviously that the justice is meted out to these people, but it's also unfortunately, I think that we had that attend the national government has began to gain some credibility with the the job that the president is doing and and that the Congress in fact that attained some greater recognition and I would hope that we can continue to move in that way and that this would not impede the public opinion because we need public opinion and confident if we're going to deal with some of the very tough issues like energy and we don't need a loss of credibility on the basis of an issue members that serve two to three years ago that no longer serve because they're not representative. I don't necessarily feel of members are in Congress today. I feel very good about my colleagues that is served with and then there really seems to be a sincere effort to try and deal with many of the serious problems that confront this country since you're understanding that the indictments will be confined a former members of Congress. It's not my understand that that would but I think that they will be I'm back and dealing with something for members number that I can really talking about different time and Congress and trying to apply a standards that exists a friend since 1977, which is not possible to do they have to be judged on the basis of what the code of ethics was at that time whether or not they were supposed to report to certain types of gifts weather. In fact, they receive something that one of the things that has happened is that this this interest has spread to individuals that work for instance invited to parties or went to a party or an aide that took a trip there with that was financed by by the by the Korean government or something of this nature, which really then reflects on the the member and reflection all of Congress. And I think that we ought to be judged, you know in Congress will be judged all of us, I guess on the basis of what happens and how we pursue this rather than on the conduct of a few members know I'm certain that from what I've understood that there are. Current members of Congress that that historically have been involved in isn't now that their involvement is occurring. I think there's a real question as to whether or not the first of all there was no criminal action many of these instances. There are some that are obviously represent the illegal receiving of a payment of some sort. But the some of the some of the other activities are very much in the area where an official kind of position it's wrong type of action. And you know, how do we what resources are what options do we have available to take action against them and I'm suggesting to you that they're very very few in spite of the fact that the Ethics Committee went through the the entire work and said what Bob Sykes did was inappropriate. He went back and got elected in his District 301 and that you know Honda how does Congress and deal with it? What are decision was that say? You may be like in your District but serving as a in a position of leadership and a chairman of a committee is a position that we that's it. That's a privilege and we're not going to give you that privilege because we I think it just kind of quiz appropriate. I think that's the two of we have available at that we should and could use. Congressman there is a listener on the line with a question for you. Hello, you're on the air and apparently President Carter is going to make some recommendations as to water policy and water programs in the future this fall and some of us in the metro area realize that there isn't a need for new car sharing programs that would bring funds into the urban areas to help us with our Water Resource problems. And there was testimony to the effect that the hearing but I'm wondering if you could say if the mood of Congress was such that there would be a possibility that something like this could be accomplished well and working on this issue has been brought to my attention by a number of individuals in the community. I represent here we discovered that there are some Program some ways they can plug in for of for Grants this point. Of course, they're they're not newly-enacted. They've been in force, but not you utilize in the past and maybe a slight change in the law would provide the incentive for a community to apply for these funds water problems Franklin. This country are very serious at this point in time. Some have suggested that those problems will will overshadow what the what we characterize the energy crisis today. I think that that certainly it's going to be more important. I think we see the first two manifestations of it and what has happened in the west and then in various farmer is where we're seeing drought and tremendous stress being placed on Subterranean Water Resources in this area and in an urban community thing for long or too long, we've taken our actions and terms of the asphalt covered communities and the duration of water supply for granted. It's at really came home with my family living in Bethesda. The fact that a water pump went out and we lost our water supply completely for a number of days. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to enjoy those circumstance, but I want to tell you that I got plenty of heat from from my spouse regarding that activity those activities and events and it's all has to have to happen in order for us to realize how important that that particular problem is. That was really encouraged recently and I talked to some friends in the community in East Side in which I lived and they talked about their efforts to try and identify what the pollutants for putting into the water simply by suggesting that they put some signs around the sewers the indicating that the water that goes down that storm sewer is going into the lake. I don't think that most people associate the other with your level of Consciousness as to what goes down into a storm sewer and ends up in a lake or what the effect is is not all they're not always aware of it there as they're separated from it that they know their relationship with water is the the tap on the faucet and they don't understand what the some of the other consequences are. So again here The only way we're going to build up an adequate policy on this is start out with understanding in our constituencies. I think it's coming home West I think that in my position on a committee serving and water and power resources. I hope that I can give some direction and enable some good resources to be passed along that to her State yesterday visiting at the University of Minnesota, Dr. John woods from the freshwater biological Institute find out the his work and the resources that have been available to them from the National Science Foundation National Institute of Health to to work in collaboration with that with Reyes colleagues and heavy metals and that are emanating from the various types of power plants in a latent the pollution in water sources that become compounded by virtue of current current activity that's going on at the it obviously is is a concern that I have and that I hope that we can bring home. Panda and steer some new directions in terms of policies in urban and better understandings in terms of what the consequences of our actions are throughout the throughout the state with Mendoza Water Resources in the state that also implies that we have to run his responsibility to maintain them. For example, a feeling we have money for feeling no for because the lake has gotten has had severe problems, but it would have been nice if years ago there would have been money available to help plan the watershed area and feeling to prevent some of those problems and I guess these are some of the ways that I would hope that Congress would go as to get money available to the communities to help in prevention of problems trying to get into the lake or something like that at that point if we could Get the money in advance for any help would be good if we could to use them for preventive things and I think to the way the best way we can do that instead we can find out all the dad in the world about the Lake Phalen or like, or other lakes in the metropolitan area hero. We've had tremendous resources to put in that front and center Minneapolis at Community a doctor Shapiro's work the University of Minnesota with limnologist another limb neurologist. Dr. John Woods work indicate that we have a goodly mom and dad and we can always that develop more but once we develop that then determine what the what the problems are. I think the then the thing is to change the source points that are causing the problems with erosion problem. Whether it's a pollution problem in terms of fertilizer entering Lakes. If in fact that does guy's problem in other words to try and and develop a constituency to understand. Has an interest and I think that that's why your work and the work of others in our community is so important to developing that type of awareness. I think there's another collar with a question for you, It's been a long way around the air Carter's new welfare program Grant. It's not completely finalized and I'm trying to get some input into that and to learn as much as I can about it because it affects a half of the program will be right here in St. Paul of the Carter Administration. I was pleased not recognize the necessity to I make available additional funds or at least you convert additional funds from other sources of the program cuz of that is projected is a somewhat over thirty billion dollars in terms of cost and while about the three to four million billion dollars over what what we're currently spending. Get the it lays claim to the fact that will increase of the payments into Social Security and also reduce the payments and unemployment compensation. It does it does I think later rest some ideas about parents said that that that do have young children at home and they're their ability to work in the places that mount on a pay out the basic Income Maintenance bases map that's going to be expensive. It's going to be somewhat costly. But in the end. Hopefully it'll need some needs. I have some I have some very grave concerns about the work program and whether or not if we don't increase the actual jobs what the impact is on those that happen to be on the job market the seeking jobs. It said I'm encouraged into that lie by the fact that since the beginning of this year. We are the unemployment rate has fell from 8 to 2 about 7% In fact slightly less than that today and in the process that represents an increase in the 1 million and one edition of that two million jobs have been created. So since the beginning of the year about 3 million new jobs part of its shift and in the economy that was occurring I think part of it is it is aided by the Actions that Congress has taken some in terms of public employment some in terms of the new job credit that went into effect that has not done that much attention has been given to that but I think it's a substantial change in terms of encouraging private investment and private the encouragement that to employment if that works. I hope that we can continue those types of incentives in the final analysis. His welfare program really is going to rest upon our ability to create the new job in the private sector so that they don't necessarily take away jobs that would already exist but the idea of attempting to to obtain some services for the for the assistance Public Assistance general assistance that we put out is not a new idea, but I think I won that should receive some real purposes, but they're the final analysis is whether we're ready to back that up and making the financial commitments to local governments. We find in the general assistance category today and many individuals that are skill that don't need to retrain. They may be teachers and maybe another instances where they're just they're not jobs available today. So I hope that the one we can encourage the economy. So that problem becomes a somewhat less with problem and to that. If in fact we make the commitments that that we change the program we're going to make the commitments back it up. So it does does represent a net job gain that would give employment opportunities to individuals be very interesting to see the effects of the program that it work Equity program as full as per our state and I think I want to look at that very carefully. I don't necessarily agree with the concept of forcing people to work on necessarily that I receiving food stamps. I think that that that that that that may have some very very serious problem. I think there is a point of diminishing return in terms of some of the programs that that we do public you find. I think that that's on that sound that should be based primarily. I need they're not receiving other types of Public Assistance. So I think one look That that very carefully and there was a concern I think our society about welfare reform and Welfare fraud. I think those are things we're going to need to address incidentally this doesn't. I understand with it with the Medicaid to those benefits would continue to to be available and certainly that they should but I think we've got a good record General in Minnesota moving people out of the all the general public assistance out of the welfare and into productive jobs. And the part of that is due to the Fine counseling and educational programs and services that are available and it be a mistake to withdraw those in in lieu of a magic of formula just by virtue of someone having a job opportunity. That's not going to equip them with the type of skills. They need to get along in our society. All right. I think we have another caller standing by. Hello. You're on the air turning alleged abuses by the FBI chiefly toward Native Americans in this region. Have you looked into this? And what do you see that can be done about it? Well, I was aware of the study and the reports that that have been made yet. We have a communicated and waiting on a somewhat of a reply on the on the issue on the charges that have been made to come Have you communicated with the with the federal bureau with the Attorney General's office on that the topic so we're trying to I think there's been a I think that the Stansfield Turner is that attitude and the new the new attorney general's attitude with regards to the to the conduct of of individuals at work in our intelligence agencies has been has been A refreshing change they have not the defended the all kind of in the past. I think really that that's a result of the the type of input that you provide in the types of ladders that communication have gone back and forth between myself and many of the other members of Congress. And so they don't feel compelled to defend that they think that they're trying to consider these issues on the basis of Merit understanding that they play The Decemberists and that that they're not going to assume responsibility for for all the effort broad-brush activity of the FBI in the civil liberties that there are manifest in our constitution. So I think that should indicate to you. I I've met personally at one time with other freshmen members again with Stansfield Turner and we talked about that early on and he has his appointment or even before his appointment of what his intentions were to deal with issues as a result. Of course, I think you seen some changes and then after we have appointed In the house stuff and like today special intelligence committee. There were some aspects of it that I was supposed to I think that all members of Congress out of the equal but it does provide us with the opportunity the vice president now Vice President Mondale spearheaded when he was a senator of having a counterpart Committee in the house that deals with intelligence with the intelligence Community Health executive intelligence capacity. So these dissolves I think I should be somewhat encouraging to the types of concerns that I I noted in document that you presented me and I appreciate your efforts and thank you very much. Thank you for calling we have about four minutes left time for another call or maybe two and there is a question are on the line Halo. whoops No, I think we better not try to continue with that one Whatever called in might try again pink sounds like we have a bad phone line. Well, Richmond, let me ask you about in response to the comment you made regarding the welfare of the old. It is economic indications are that that there is not the investment and not the kind of activity in the second half of this year that there wasn't the first and I wonder if if you feel on remember the Banking Committee that the government needs to step in at this point and stimulate the economy somewhere is inflation still too big of a worry for that place in rate is with the with the with our economic activity. But personally, I guess I fall down on the side of government getting involved when the private sector is demonstrated that can produce the type of economic stimulation that we need is a matter of fact that we do indirectly I think one of the things that may happen and I don't think that they'll be any tax changes here to stimulate but we can indeed to create the addition. Call a public service jobs as their necessary. I don't know that I agree that there's going to be a downturn in the economy this year. I think that it's very difficult to turn in economy around without the suffering some sort of this location in terms of economics. I was disappointed to note that Federal Reserve System and chairman have a gun that indicated decision to tighten up money to cause an increase in interest rates because that takes money out of the economy that we desperately need to encourage the type of economic growth that that subsequently a great jobs and I think it helps our entire economy. We've had our yesterday running disagreement the Banking Committee with the chairman Arthur Burns and as a result of those discussions, we find that the willing to predict what the interest rates might be any met with us just a week and a half ago. He hasn't willing to admit that they've had an impact. I want to have raised interest rates in the past. So it says, sorry Paradox, but never the last I think that are constant discussion and dialogue with him will tend to help coordinate the economic goals of Congress the economic goals executive branch with the Federal Reserve System, which is really a creature of Congress and we've just passed reform law, which I will provide for presidential appointment of the Federal Reserve chairman of for 4 years, and I think that's can be successful in both the Full House and Senate it also deals with eliminating conflict of interest to remember that serve on their route which has occurred in the past, but we ended also provides an orderly a report process to Congress by the chairman and terms the economy. I don't know if we're going to get any better answers from mr. Burns, but obviously, I think that the some of the things that he's coming for committee with their 90% philosophy and 10 for Sunday comics and you know, he he's lined up some used cars. Noted for his his disagreement with the Congress Administration. But I think that we would like to I think that we deserve to have someone in that position that's willing to cooperate with the with the goals that that we're trying to accomplish Terps The Economy Inn Savannah. He'll be up for appointment in 1 year irrespective of whether or not this bill passes and he supports it and just very briefly Congressman. Do you expect it to the President Carter will reapply for and I would think that you would think not well thank you very much congressmen Bruce vento from the 4th District in Minnesota Congressman been to Our Guest live today and two weeks from today 5th District Congressman. Don Frazier will be here. We've asked the congressman elk we from the first and Bill friends will from the third their schedules did not permit them to come during this August recess, but we hope it will be able to get them in here. Perhaps a little bit later in the fall.