The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1962-01-12
New Program
Depends Upon
Executive Action

Congress does-0r fails to do
during this session depends
upon a numbe, Of factors. in
GLIDING:
/. A decision by Presiden,
Kennedy as to what part OF his
legislative program he wants tl
have top priority in congress
siOnal consideration.
For example. il he decides
upon an about campaign fol
enactment of his program te
lower tariffs. the violent time
consuming controversy certain
to develop might require post.
poning consideration of other
legislative proposals.
Such a decision would direct.
ly affect the chances for final
action on the Kennedy-backed
tax program. medical aid fol
the elderly under Social Securi.
ty, and liberalization Of the
state unemployment compensa
ton system.
All are before the House Ways
and Means Committee. The tax
nrogram now is scheduled as
the first order of business fol-
The committee. This, however
could be changed to give pr.
GRITTY to the tariff legislation.
2. The strength of the oppo-
sition in the House to much OF
the Kennedy gra m from
those who oppose further cen.
tralizaticn of power in Washing.
ton. who oppose legislation
which they believe would TN.
Justly harass business opera
tons, and who oppose higher
Government spending which
they believe to be unnecessary
and dangerous to the nations
economy.
The House held back much Of
the Kennedy program during
the 1861 session. This resulted
from the combined votes OF
many southern Democrats
some Northern Democrats and
most of the Republicans.
Soundilgs taken during the
congressional recess are said to
indicate an increase in con
sentative sentiment wv which. il
proved correct. indicates trou-
Bile ahead for Mr.. Kennedy.
3. The expression Of grass
roots sentiment on legislation to
members of the House and Sen.
ate.
The importance of this is en-
HANGED by the fact that the
seats of all members of the
House and one-third of the Sen,
ate plus vacancies will be
filled in the November congress.
siOnal elections.
These Representatives and
Senator's, as well as all Of the
others, naturally will give sari-
Gus consideration to the views
Of their constituents.
4. The effectiveness of the
new Democratic leadership in
the House, chosen as result
of the death of Speaker Sam
Rayburn.
It is universally conceded that
MI. Sam s. political skill. ex-
oerience. and capacity for
friendship will be sorely misse'
by Mr.. Kennedy. Only the fu-
ture can reveal how well the
new leadership performs.
5. The extent of the nation
economic recovery.
II the recovery continues Nv
and the Kennedy administration
forecasts sound economic prog
ress" this would remove the
foundation for any demand for
so-called anti-recession legisla.
ton.
&. The length of the congress
siOnal session.
Members of Congre will
seek an early adjournment in
order to permit them tt cam
paign before the November cleo
tons. Obviously the earlier the
adjournment the shorter will be
the amount of time available
for consideration of legislation.
Some of the Kennedy-backed
proposals, which were not pass
ed in 1861 and are now in the
forefront of discussion for the
1862 session. would:
l. Provide federal subsidies
tor hool construction and
teachers salaries.
2. Furnish health benefits to
the elderly under Social Securi-
ty. to be financed by a further
in Social Security
taxes.
3. Tax income earned abroad
even though it is not returned
to the United States, impose
drastic limitations on entertain
ment and business expenses. re-
peal the four per cent dividend
credit and the $50 exclusion.
and provide a tax credit for
business investment.