Iowa Public Television

Narrator: FUNDING FOR "IOWA PRESS" WAS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION; AND BY THE IOWA BANKERS ASSOCIATION... FOR PERSONAL, BUSINESS, AND COMMERCIAL NEEDS, IOWA BANKS HELP IOWANS REACH THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS.

STATEWIDE IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION IS CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF "IOWA PRESS," NOW SERVING THE STATE AS IOWA'S LONGEST RUNNING PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM. WITH THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "IOWA PRESS," HERE IS DEAN BORG.

Borg: WELL, IT'S FAR FROM BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS THESE DAYS, BUT WORK ON THE NATION'S BUSINESS DOES CONTINUE NOW WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY. AND IT APPEARS THE NATION'S BUSINESS, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING, IS BEING CONDUCTED WITH RENEWED BIPARTISANSHIP, AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REFLECT THEIR PATRIOTIC SOLIDARITY GENERATED BY THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE U.S. HOMELAND. AS THE WORD "WAR" BECOMES EVERYDAY VOCABULARY, AMERICANS' ANGER AND FEAR THRUSTS SECURITY TO THE TOP OF THE CONGRESSIONAL AGENDA. AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AND THE AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE, IOWA THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN LEONARD BOSWELL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CALLING FOR FEDERALIZATION OF AIRPORT AND AIRLINE SECURITY. CONGRESSMAN BOSWELL IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE SELECT INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, WHICH CONTINUES A HUGE ROLE IN AMERICA'S RESPONSE. CONGRESSMAN BOSWELL, WELCOME BACK TO "IOWA PRESS."

Boswell: GOOD TO BE HERE, DEAN.

Borg: AND WE SHOULD SAY THAT OUR CONVERSATION WITH YOU AND THE REMARKS YOU MAKE ARE BEING MADE ON FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 28. THIS IS A FAST MOVING STORY AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE COMMENTING AS OF FRIDAY MORNING. ACROSS THE TABLE, DAVID YEPSEN OF "THE DES MOINES REGISTER" AND MIKE GLOVER OF "THE ASSOCIATED PRESS."

Glover: CONGRESSMAN, A LOT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN CONGRESS. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF REACTION TO WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON. IS THERE A DANGER -- AND EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT THE NATION NEEDS TO RESPOND AND UNIFY AND ALL THAT. IS THERE A DANGER OF CONGRESS BEING STAMPEDED ON THIS ISSUE? IS CONGRESS REALLY EXERCISING IT'S OVERSIGHT ROLE ON THINGS LIKE BAILING OUT AIRLINES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE, SPENDING DOUBLE WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED TO RESPOND TO THIS?

Boswell: I DON'T THINK SO AND I THINK IT'S A FAIR QUESTION. BUT I DON'T THINK SO, MIKE. I FEEL LIKE, AS I SERVE ON THOSE COMMITTEES THAT DEAN JUST MENTIONED AND SO ON AND JUST THE CONSTANT TALK WITH THE MEMBERS AS I MOVE AROUND THE CONGRESS, I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE. IT'S A VERY SOBER SITUATION, VERY SERIOUS. BUT THERE'S UNITY AND I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO EXERCISE THOUGHTFULNESS AND NOT KNEE JERK AND DO SOMETHING BUT, YET, BE RESPONSIVE. AND WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIVE. YOU MENTIONED THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SPINS ON THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, THERE'S COMMERCE OR TRAVEL OR TOURISM, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND TRAVEL AGENCIES, CAR RENTALS, AND ON AND ON IT GOES, IT'S A BIG PART OF OUR ECONOMY. SO WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO THAT, I THINK, AND I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF IT. AS IT TURNED OUT, EVERYBODY WAS. AND I THINK AS WE GOT INTO THE REQUEST AND THEN, AS YOU SAID, IT WAS UPSCALED BECAUSE OF THE REALIZATION OF THE NEED TO KEEP THAT ECONOMY GOING. SO IT WAS A TERRIBLE HIT ON THEM ECONOMICALLY. THEY DIDN'T MAKE THAT DECISION. IT WAS A GOOD DECISION, BUT THE GOVERNMENT MADE IT, TO PUT THOSE AIRPLANES ON THE GROUND. IF YOU'RE FLYING FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE WEST COAST AND YOU WERE OVER DES MOINES THAT DAY, YOU GOT PUT ON THE GROUND IN DES MOINES. IT PROBABLY PREVENTED SOME OTHER HAPPENINGS. BUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEY WERE ON THE GROUND AND THEIR COSTS WERE GOING UP AND NO REVENUES COMING IT, IT WAS PRETTY TOUGH.

Glover: BUT CAN CONGRESS, IN THIS CURRENT CLIMATE, EXERCISE SOME KIND OF AN OVERSIGHT ROLE?

Boswell: OH, I THINK SO. I THINK IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU GET INTO SECURITY MEASURES. WE'VE GOT TO DO THAT. AS FAR AS -- IF YOU'RE REFERRING TO THEIR VIABILITY, I THINK WE HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THE CONCERN WE HAVE, AND THEN IT'S UP TO THEM TO EXERCISE GOOD BUSINESS OPERATIONS. WE TRUST THEY WILL BUT WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT.

Yepsen: DEAN MENTIONED YOU'RE ON THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE. I GATHER YOU'RE LIMITED IN WHAT YOU CAN SAY ABOUT SOME THINGS, BUT WHAT'S THE NEXT THING THAT'S GOING TO HIT THIS COUNTRY?

Boswell: WELL, I DON'T KNOW. WHEN I FIRST WENT TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE -- I MAY HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU BEFORE, DAVID, BUT WHEN I WAS FIRST ASKED, I SAID "NO". I JUST DIDN'T THINK I HAD TIME TO GIVE TO IT, WITH THE OTHER FOUR SUBCOMMITTEES THAT I'M ON. AND THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER, I WAS ASKED AGAIN. WITH THE STATEMENT, "WELL, SOME OF THE PLACES YOU'VE BEEN AND THINGS YOU'VE DONE AND SO ON, YOU REALLY OUGHT TO RECONSIDER THAT," SO I DID. AND I WENT TO THE COMMITTEE AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT HAPPENED WAS THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE CAME AROUND TO MY OFFICE TO VISIT AND WHAT CONCERNS DID I HAVE IN THE AREA OF INTELLIGENCE, SIGNAL INTELLIGENCE, HUMAN INTELLIGENCE, AND SO ON. I SAID, "WELL, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS AND MY MAJOR CONCERN IS NOT INCOMING MISSILES. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THE TERRORISM ACTIVITIES, THE OLD RUSTY BANANA BOAT WITH A SMALL DEVICE OR WHATEVER AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE IS SOMETHING VERY MUCH OF CONCERN OF MINE," AND I CONTINUED TO CARRY THAT TO THE COMMITTEE. I CAN SAY THIS, THAT IT'S MY BELIEF THAT -- WELL, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THINGS ARE BEING REVALUED AND THERE'S QUITE AN UPGRADE IN SOME OF THE THINGS GOING ON.

Yepsen: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FOOD SECURITY. LAST WEEK ON THIS PROGRAM KEN QUINN, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR, NOW HEAD OF THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE, WAS TALKING ABOUT FOOD SECURITY AND HOW THERE'S A THREAT OF BIOTERRORISM. HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT THAT? WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT IF ANYTHING.

Boswell: WELL, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND, YOU KNOW --

Yepsen: WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Boswell: WELL, WE'VE GOT TO DO THE BEST WE CAN. WE'VE GOT TO IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO GATHER INFORMATION ON PEOPLE WHO DO SUCH THINGS TO US, AND WE'RE DOING THAT. I SUPPOSE WE SHOULD SAY THAT WE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO BE ABSOLUTE AND JUST GUARANTEED, BUT WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE'RE GOING TO DO BETTER. AND I THINK WITH THAT, THAT WE GO ABOUT OUR LIVES AND NOT LET THE LIKES OF BIN LADEN OR WHOEVER THE PERPETRATORS WERE TO TELL US WE CAN'T LIVE OUT OUR LIVES AND GO ON ABOUT OUR BUSINESS. I THINK OUR ECONOMY CAN TAKE THIS. I THINK OUR ECONOMY IS GOOD. IT COULD STAND SOME IMPROVEMENT RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE SECURITY MEASURES AND MAKE IT SAFE TO TRAVEL. I'M TRAVELING AND I'M ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO.

Glover: YOU SAID "BIN LADEN OR WHOEVER." DO YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT THAT OSAMA BIN LADEN IS BEHIND THIS?

Boswell: WELL, I'M PRETTY WELL CONVINCED THAT HE'S THE ORGANIZER.

Glover: YOU HAVE NO DOUBTS.

Boswell: I HAVE VERY LITTLE DOUBT.

Yepsen: WELL, WHAT ABOUT -- BACK TO THE FOOD SECURITY THING. LAST WEEK THERE WAS GROUNDING OF CROP DUSTING PLANES. THAT'S THE SORT OF THING THAT CUTS PRETTY CLOSE TO HOME HERE IN IOWA. WHAT ABOUT THAT SORT OF THREAT TO OUR FOOD SECURITY? DO WE HAVE TO WORRY NOW ABOUT SOMEBODY GRABBING A CROP DUSTING PLANE?

Boswell: DAVID, I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE THE SAME. BUT WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? WELL, WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT, I THINK WE ARE DOING ABOUT IT. WE CAN UPGRADE, NOTCH UP THE EFFORTS WE MAKE TO GATHER INTELLIGENCE AND MAKE SURE THAT IS DISSEMINATED TO EVERYBODY AND EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER. WE'LL DO A BETTER JOB. BUT I THINK RELATIVELY WE'RE SAFE, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME. THEY'VE PROVEN THEY CAN HIJACK FOUR AIRLINERS AND KILL EVERYBODY ON BOARD AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS BESIDES, AND THIS MAKES NEW FOCUS, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

Borg: WITH THAT IN MIND, WITH THE APPROPRIATION THAT'S SAILED THROUGH CONGRESS TO HELP THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, ARE YOU AT ALL CONCERNED THAT YOU WERE ALSO HELPING TO BAIL OUT AN INDUSTRY THAT WAS ALREADY IN TROUBLE, AND SHOULD SOME MONEY BE GIVEN TO MORE DIVERSIFICATION, TRAVEL OPTIONS, SUCH AS AMTRAK AND OTHER THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY?

Boswell: I THINK THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION, DEAN. THE OTHER WAS A COUPLE OF THE AIRLINES, MAYBE THREE, THAT WERE HAVING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, BUT THIS IS NOT A NEW THING. AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER ABOUT THAT. AT THE SAME TIME, AN EMERGENCY HAS STRUCK US. AND THE DEVASTATION IT DID TO THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, WE HAD TO RESPOND. NOW, THEY DON'T JUST WALK UP THERE AND GET THE MONEY HANDED OUT TO THEM. THEY HAVE TO JUSTIFY IT. THERE'S A PROCESS TO GO THROUGH, BUT IT OUGHT TO BE FAST MOVING AND KEEP THEM FROM GETTING INTO PROBLEMS WHERE THEY CAN'T OPERATE. WE SAW THE IMPACT ON THE STOCK MARKET REGARDING THE AIRLINES. WE SAW THE LAYOFFS AND MORE TO COME, AND MORE HAS COME. AND IF WE DIDN'T REACT QUICKLY, THAT 100,000 MAY HAVE ADVANCED TO 200,000 OR 300,000 AND THEN ALL THE OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT RELY ON AIR TRAVEL. SO IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS TIME FOR US TO PUT OUR FINGER IN THE DIKE AND SAY, LET'S SLOW THIS DOWN AND HELP PEOPLE THAT HAD A CAUSE FACTOR PUT ON THEM THAT THEY REALLY HAD NO CONTROL OVER.

Glover: PRESIDENT BUSH HAS MADE A SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION ABOUT AIRLINE SAFETY. HE'S PROPOSED HARDENING UP THE FLIGHT DECKS OF AIRLINERS. HE'S PROPOSED PAYING THE STATES TO CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD UNTIL THEY CAN PUT A NEW FEDERAL SECURITY SYSTEM INTO PLACE. DO YOU SUPPORT THAT AND IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE?

Boswell: OH, I DO, MIKE, VERY MUCH SO. IN FACT, I'VE GOT LEGISLATION BEING DRAFTED REGARDING THESE MATTERS. THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF THAT GOING ON, OBVIOUSLY, FROM OTHER MEMBERS AS WELL. BUT SOMEWHERE OUT OF ALL THIS, THERE WILL BE SOME LEGISLATION, OURS AND OTHERS, NO DOUBT. AND, YES, WE'VE HAD HOURS AND HOURS OF HEARINGS WITH THE AVIATION INDUSTRY, WITH ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED AND CONCERNED -- PILOTS, OWNERS, SERVICE PERSONNEL, THE SERVICES TO THE AIRLINES, WORKERS, EVERYBODY. AND, YES, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME MEASURES TAKEN.

Glover: IS THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE BEYOND WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED?

Boswell: WELL, I DON'T SEE EVERY DETAIL OF WHAT HE'S GOT IN HIS PROPOSAL. HE'S TALKING ABOUT MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET INTO THE COCKPIT; THAT WAS CERTAINLY TALKED ABOUT. HE TALKED ABOUT ARMING THE PILOTS, AND THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT. HE TALKED ABOUT THE SKY MARSHALS; THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT. AND BY THE WAY, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT I WAS VERY PROUD FROM THIS CAPITAL CITY RIGHT HERE IN DES MOINES, I WAS CONTACTED BY LOCAL POLICE IN DES MOINES AS SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY HAD THEIR VIGIL ABOUT THEIR COMRADES THAT WERE KILLED IN THIS TERRIBLE EVENT IN NEW YORK AND SO ON. AND IN THE PROCESS OF TALKING ABOUT IT, THEY WANTED TO HELP. THEY VOLUNTEERED TO USE THEIR OFF-DUTY TIME TO BE SKY MARSHALS. IT WILL TAKE SOME ADDITIONAL TRAINING BUT NOT MUCH, AND THERE WOULD BE A POSSIBILITY. SO I'VE SHARED THAT AT THE HEARINGS. I'VE GIVEN A COPY OF THAT TO MISS GARVEY, DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION AND SO ON. AT THE SAME TIME THAT THEY WERE VOLUNTEERING TO DO THIS, WHICH I APPLAUD THEM FOR, YOU KNOW, THAT THE UPGRADING OF THE SCHOOLS FOR TRAINING OF SKY MARSHALS AND SO ON HAS BEEN GOING ON. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT THAT WAS A PRETTY GENEROUS, INNOVATIVE IDEA, I THOUGHT. AND IT MAY STILL BE NEEDED.

Yepsen: CONGRESSMAN, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ARMING PILOTS? YOU'RE AN OLD PILOT. CAN YOU FLY AN AIRPLANE AND SHOOT A 45 AT THE SAME TIME?

Boswell: WELL, I -- YEAH. [ LAUGHTER ]

Boswell: YES.

Yepsen: SO YOU ARE FOR ARMING PILOTS.

Boswell: I AM. YOU KNOW, WE TALKED TO THE PILOTS ABOUT THIS, THE PILOTS ASSOCIATION. ONE OF THE CAPTAINS WAS IN ONE OF OUR HEARINGS, AND I ENGAGED IN A CONVERSATION WITH HIM ABOUT IT. SO MANY OF THEM ARE PRIOR SERVICE PERSONNEL, AND SO IT WOULDN'T TAKE A LOT OF TRAINING. THEY'D HAVE TO BE TRAINED AND THEY'D HAVE TO USE A WEAPON LIKE A STUN GUN OR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GOING TO DO DAMAGE. BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SAFEGUARD UP WHERE THE CONTROLS ARE TO FLY THAT AIRPLANE, AND I THINK THAT'S WORTH CONSIDERATION.

Yepsen: ARE WE IN DANGER HERE, CONGRESSMAN, OF FIGHTING THE LAST WAR? I MEAN, WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME HERE TODAY AND IN CONGRESS TALKING ABOUT AIRLINE SECURITY AND ALL THAT, AND THAT'S FINE. BUT ISN'T THE NEXT THREAT LIKELY TO BE SOMETHING ELSE? MAYBE THE FOOD THING WE TALKED ABOUT? I DON'T KNOW WHAT.

Boswell: WELL, FOR A PERSON THAT'S WILLING TO COMMIT TERRORISM, TO CREATE TERROR, TO MAKE US FEARFUL, IS APT TO DO ANYTHING. WE KNOW THAT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A POINT THAT WE HAVE ANY ARGUMENT ABOUT. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'LL DO, BUT WE DO KNOW THEY CAN -- THEY "DID" HIJACK AIRLINERS AND MADE MISSILES OUT OF THEM AND DID TERRIBLE DAMAGE, SO WE'VE GOT TO RESPOND TO THAT. AND AT THE SAME TIME -- AND I CAN SAY THAT THERE IS ACTIVITY GOING ON -- WE'RE TRYING TO BE PREPARED FOR THOSE OTHER POSSIBILITIES BECAUSE THE POSSIBILITIES EXIST, BUT WE KNOW WE CAN'T GO AROUND HIDING BEHIND EVERY TREE. WE'VE GOT TO GO ON WITH OUR LIVES, TO DO THE BEST WE CAN, BE CAUTIOUS, BUT MOVE ON OUT. AND I WANT PEOPLE TO -- IF YOU WERE PLANNING TO GO TO FLORIDA OR TO ARIZONA OR SOMEWHERE TO VISIT A RELATIVE, I HOPE YOU'LL STILL GO. IF YOU WERE PLANNING ON THIS IS THE YEAR YOU'RE GOING TO BUY A NEW CAR, I HOPE YOU'LL GO BUY IT. IF YOU WERE PLANNING ON BUYING AN APPLIANCE THIS MONTH, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL. IF YOU HAD INVESTMENTS IN THE STOCK MARKET, JUST DON'T BE IN TOO BIG OF A HURRY TO MANIPULATE OR WHATEVER BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF STAKE AS A COUNTRY AND THIS COUNTRY IS IMPORTANT.

Glover: CONGRESSMAN, LET'S NOT SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT INVESTMENTS IN THE STOCK MARKET. LET'S TALK ABOUT HAPPIER ISSUES. THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT COMMERCIAL AIRLINERS AND THE DAMAGE THAT THIS HAS DONE TO THEM. BUT THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER SEGMENT OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY CALLED GENERAL AVIATION AND CHARTER COMPANIES. WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO FOR THAT INDUSTRY? IT'S BEEN HAMMERED, ARGUABLY, JUST AS HARD.

Boswell: WELL, I'VE TRIED TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR GENERAL AVIATION, AND I THINK I'M PROBABLY ONE OF THE STRONG ONES THERE. AND I'VE LAID THIS ON THE TABLE. ARE THESE FIXED BASE-OPERATORS? A LOT OF THEM ARE MOM/POP OPERATIONS AND THEY DEPEND ON THE FLIGHT TRAINING, THEY DEPEND ON THE PLEASURE FLYERS, THE PEOPLE THAT BUY GAS AND HAVE MAINTENANCE DONE AND SO ON. AND THAT JUST KIND OF CAME TO A STOP. SO I PUSHED PRETTY HARD TO GET, FOR EXAMPLE, THE VFR, THE VISUAL FLIGHT RULE, FLYING, BACK TO GOING. AND YOU KNOW, THERE JUST WASN'T, TO ME, SOUND REASON THAT WAS DEFENDABLE TO KEEP THEM DOWN FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. NOW, WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE AG WAGONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT THAT'S BEING DONE. SO, YES, THAT NEEDS ATTENTION AND I KNOW THAT SENATOR HARKIN HAS BEEN HAVING HEARINGS. I THINK HE WAS IN TOWN YESTERDAY ON THAT. I RECOGNIZED SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE SCREEN THAT WERE THERE, AND I KNOW THEM, MANY OF THEM. THEY DO NEED SOME ASSISTANCE AND I THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED TOO BECAUSE THEY --

Glover: [ INAUDIBLE ]

Boswell: WELL, THEY WERE -- AGAIN, THEY WERE AFFECTED BY --

Glover: WELL, WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO?

Boswell: WELL, WE CAN GIVE THEM SOME BENEFITS. WE CAN GIVEN THEM SOME LOW INTERESTS. WE CAN GIVE THEM SOME GRANTS. BUT WE CAN RESPOND AND I THINK WE WILL --

Yepsen: CONGRESSMAN --

Boswell: AND GET THEM BACK TO FLYING TOO.

Yepsen: ON THE INTELLIGENCE ISSUE, DID OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY FAIL US? WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?

Boswell: WELL, YOU KNOW, THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE THEY'VE PROBABLY LET US DOWN. THEY FEEL THAT WAY, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAVE. WITH THEIR RESOURCES AND SO ON, THEY HAVE PREVENTED A LOT OF OTHER POSSIBILITIES AROUND THE WORLD. I CAN TELL YOU THAT BECAUSE THAT'S A FACT. THEY HAVE PREVENTED MANY, MANY HAPPENINGS BECAUSE OF THEIR GOOD, HARD WORK, SO I THINK WE OUGHT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND TOO. SO IF THEY NEED SOME MORE RESOURCES, WE NEED TO GIVE THEM SOME MORE RESOURCES AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

Borg: I'M GOING TO SWITCH INTO THE PRACTICALITIES OF AGRICULTURE. THE FARM BILL, AS WE'VE SAID MANY TIMES, EXPIRES, THAT "FREEDOM TO FARMS" AND THE MONIKER. WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE NEW FARM BILL?

Boswell: WELL, THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN, DEAN. AS YOU KNOW, THE AG COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE, YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE THEY VOTED THE BILL OUT AND IT HASN'T BEEN DEBATED ON THE FLOOR YET. MAYBE NEXT WEEK. THE SENATE HAS NOT HAD THEIR SENATE DEBATE YET OR SHOWN THEIR BILLS. THERE'S LOTS TO TO BE DONE.

Borg: BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO CHANGE?

Boswell: WELL, I EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WAS IN THE LAST BILL, FARMERS HAVING MORE CHOICE AND SO ON. I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SURE. WE'VE WORE THAT PHRASE OUT, BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE A SAFETY NET THAT HAS TO BE THERE. I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. YOU KNOW, A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE REDID THE RISK MANAGEMENT, THE INSURANCE SIDE OF IT. THE OLD SCHOOL IS STILL OUT ON THAT. I THINK IT'S A BIG IMPROVEMENT. THAT'S ONE THAT'S NOT PART OF THE FARM BILL, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY PART OF THE OPERATION OF FARMING.

Borg: WILL SEPTEMBER 11 AT ALL CHANGE THE FARM BILL?

Boswell: I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL. IT MAY. EVERYTHING SEEMS LIKE IT'S CHANGED BECAUSE OF SEPTEMBER 11, BUT I THINK THAT WE'LL STILL SEE A FARM BILL. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COME OUT THIS YEAR. IT HAS TO COME OUT NEXT YEAR. AN EFFORT WAS MADE BY OUR CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE TO MOVE IT THIS YEAR AND GET IT STARTED. I THINK IT INDICATES IT'S GOING TO GET LEGS AGAIN HERE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, AND WE'LL JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Glover: CONGRESSMAN, SENATOR LUGAR AND SENATOR HARKIN HAVE ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT OF THE PRINCIPLES THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE NEW FARM BILL. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT INCREASING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING THE SAFETY NET YOU TALKED ABOUT INTO THE NEW FARM BILL. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT LEAVING PLANTING FLEXIBILITY IN THE NEW FARM BILL. SECRETARY VENEMEN NOT LONG AGO ISSUED A DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ABOUT WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION IS, AND IT WAS REMARKABLY SIMILAR. IS THIS PATH ALL SET? ARE BOTH SIDES HEADING IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF THE FARM BILL?

Boswell: THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION, MIKE, BUT WE COULDN'T GET A STATEMENT OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATION WHEN WE WERE HAVING OUR DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. WE ASKED FOR IT SEVERAL TIMES, HAD THE SECRETARY TO MEETINGS AND SO ON, SO WE WERE PROBABLY -- WE WERE FAIRLY NEW AS AN ADMINISTRATION, AND MAYBE IT WAS FAIR THAT THEY WEREN'T READY AT THAT TIME. BUT NOW THAT SHE HAS DONE THAT, THAT WILL BE HELPFUL SO WE AT LEAST CAN LOOK AT WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS TALKING ABOUT AND START THE DIALOGUE. IT WILL HAVE TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE WE END UP WITH THE FARM BILL. SO THIS IS A STEP FORWARD, AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT SHE'S DONE THAT. WE AT LEAST KNOW WHAT SHE'S THINKING.

Glover: DO YOU SEE SOME UNANIMITY HERE? DO YOU SEE SOME --

Boswell: I THINK THERE'S THAT POSSIBILITY AND I WOULD HOPE THERE MIGHT BE, YES.

Glover: ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THAT DIRECTION?

Boswell: WELL, THE DETAIL IS NOT THERE BUT, YES, THE FIRST FLASH ON IT, I THINK THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED THERE. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HARKIN WAS TALKING ABOUT IT. I HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HIM ON A FAIRLY REGULAR BASIS, BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE SECRETARY WAS. NOW WE HAVE SOME FEELING FOR THAT, SO I THINK THAT WILL BE HELPFUL.

Yepsen: CONGRESSMAN, TWO OTHER ISSUES THAT IOWANS CARE A LOT ABOUT: SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE. WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THOSE ISSUES IN THE WAKE OF SEPTEMBER 11? DO YOU EXPECT THE CONGRESS TO DO ANYTHING, AND DO YOU HAVE ANY MONEY TO DO ANYTHING?

Boswell: WELL, FIRST OFF, YES, I EXPECT THE CONGRESS TO DO SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN JUST HOW SOON. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S BEEN PUSHED BACK. THE FOCUS NOW IS ON SAFETY AND DEALING WITH THE TERRORISM, AND THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. SO THINGS HAVE BEEN PUSHED BACK, BUT IT HASN'T GONE AWAY. WE STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. I GUESS YOU WERE PROBABLY GOING TO MENTION THAT... AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY, WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH THAT, AND EDUCATION. THOSE THINGS ARE STILL VERY IMPORTANT TO US, AND THEY WILL COME BACK TO THE FRONT BURNER. BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THEY'RE PUSHED BACK AND, YES, THERE IS SOME DIPPING GOING INTO THOSE RESOURCES. I DON'T FIND ANYBODY COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT WITH THE THREAT OF TERRORISM EITHER. AND I THINK WE'VE GOT TO DO SOME OF THAT, BUT WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO APPLY SOME GOOD COMMON SENSE TO THIS. LET'S DON'T GO BEYOND WHERE WE NEED TO. THERE MIGHT BE SOME WHO WANT TO SAY, "WELL, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AND LET'S GO A LITTLE FURTHER, GET INTO SOME PET PROJECTS AND SO ON." AND I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN, BUT THERE ARE SOME VERY VITAL THINGS THAT'S GOT TO GET BACK ON THE BURNER. AND I THINK THAT IT WILL, BUT IT'S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A LITTLE PAUSE HERE.

Yepsen: WELL, HOW MUCH LESS DO YOU HAVE TO SPEND, SAY, ON THE SHORING UP OF SOCIAL SECURITY?

Boswell: WELL, THE MONEY THAT WENT FOR THE FEMA AND SO ON, NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA, THERE FOR THOSE TERRORIST HITS, THAT WAS A LARGE SUM -- THAT'S MONEY OUT OF THAT -- AND ALSO TO BAIL-OUT THE AIRLINES. I USED THE WORD I WASN'T GOING TO USE NO MORE - TO INFUSE SUPPORT INTO AIRLINES, BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE THAT WORD. I THINK THAT'S A WRONG WORD. BUT IT'S USED SO MUCH THAT I GOT CAUGHT MYSELF ON THAT ONE.

Glover: WELL, LET'S TURN TO ANOTHER TOPIC. ARE YOU GOING TO BAIL-OUT THE PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS?

Boswell: NO, THAT'S NOT A GOOD TERM, AND I'M NOT GOING TO ANSWER OR GOING TO USE THAT TERM.

Glover: WELL, IS A PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS GOING TO EMERGE FROM THIS CONGRESS?

Boswell: I HOPE SO. IT SHOULD. IT DEPENDS HOW MUCH WE'RE GOING TO GET SETTLED BACK, MIKE.

Glover: TALK US THROUGH THAT. HOW DOES CONGRESS GET BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL?

Boswell: WELL, BY GOING AHEAD AND DOING OUR BUSINESS, BY BEING THERE, BY WORKING THROUGH THIS HERE AND THE UNANIMITY -- THE UNITY RIGHT NOW IS SO GOOD, BUT I WILL GET BACK TO THE DEBATE THAT MAKES UP A DEMOCRACY AT SOME POINT ON THESE ISSUES. BUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTION, THE PATIENTS BILL OF RIGHTS QUESTION, THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. WE'VE GOT TO PAUSE HERE TO TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING THAT'S CAUSED US -- THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, IF YOU WILL.

Yepsen: DOES EDUCATION REFORM FIT INTO THAT CATEGORY, TOO?

Boswell: OH, I THINK SO. I THOSE THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. EDUCATION, OF COURSE, DISCUSSED, AND REFORM IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE HEARD ALL OF MY LIFE. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY CHANGES AND DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AND SHOULD DO. SO WE'LL ALWAYS BE DISCUSSING THAT.

Yepsen: ONE LAST QUESTION ON THIS TERRORISM THING. CIVIL LIBERTIES... SOME PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT WE'RE GOING TO START ERODING OUR NATION'S CIVIL LIBERTIES. OTHER PEOPLE SAY THAT'S NECESSARY IN A TIME OF WAR. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME SACRIFICES HERE. WHERE DO YOU COME DOWN ON THAT?

Boswell: WELL, WE HAVE -- IT'S JUST KIND OF LIKE THE CARPENTER OR THE MECHANIC, THE TOOL HAS GOT TO BE IN THE TOOLBOX. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE GOT TO BE PROTECTIVE OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. THERE'S NOT ONE OF US THAT DON'T WANT THE CIA OR THE FBI OR WHATEVER TO HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED. AT THE SAME TIME WE EXPECT THEM TO LIVE WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION AS WE ALL DO. THAT'S WHAT'S MADE OUR COUNTRY GREAT. AND THAT MEANS TO BE JUST REVIEWED AND REMINDED ALL THE TIME, AND I WILL BE ONE THAT WILL BE EXPECTING THAT TO HAPPEN. AT THE SAME TIME THERE'S A PRACTICALITY WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THE TOOLS, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THESE TERRORISTS DOING WHAT THEY DID ON 9/11.

Glover: CONGRESSMAN, IT WOULDN'T BE AN OFFICIAL "IOWA PRESS" SHOW IF WE DIDN'T TALK A LITTLE POLITICS.

Boswell: YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

Glover: WE ARE.

Boswell: OKAY.

Glover: PRESIDENT BUSH HAS SAID THAT THIS WHOLE TERRORIST EPISODE MARKS A COMPLETE SHIFT IN HIS PRESIDENCY, THAT HIS PRESIDENCY IS NOW A PRESIDENCY TO BE MEASURED BY A FOCUS ON FIGHTING TERRORISM. HOW'S HE DONE? GIVE HIM A RATING.

Boswell: OH, I GIVE HIM A VERY HIGH RATING. I THINK THAT HE RESPONDED WELL, AND THE RESPONSE THAT HE GOT FROM US IN THE JOINT MEETING IN THE CONGRESS LAST WEEK WAS A WARM RESPONSE. I THINK THAT HE'S DOING VERY WELL. I THINK THAT'S INDICATED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TOO, THAT THE CONGRESS IS WORKING WITH HIM. I THINK THAT WE'RE STILL -- THE CONVERSATIONS, THE CAUTIONS: BE CAREFUL; LET'S DON'T OVERREACT BUT LET'S REACT ADEQUATELY AND LET'S DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER THAT WE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. WE'RE WORKING HARD ON THAT. AND ALSO REWARDING, MIKE, IS THE RESPONSE OF OTHER NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. SO THAT'S GOOD. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT TOO. BUT I THINK HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB.

Boswell: HAS HE REASSURED HIS REELECTION?

Boswell: OH, THAT'S TOO FAR AWAY. YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- ON THE POLITICAL SIDE, YOU'RE PROBABLY BETTER VERSED AT TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED HISTORICALLY.

Glover: CONGRESSMAN, I NEVER COMPARE MY POLITICAL SKILLS TO YOURS.

Boswell: YES, YOU DO. BUT ANYWAY I DON'T KNOW. I SHOULD SAY RIGHT NOW HIS APPRECIATION IS PRETTY HIGH.

Yepsen: WHO DO DEMOCRATS HAVE FOR AN OPPONENT? IS THERE SOMEBODY OUT THERE THAT CAN BEAT HIM IN '04?

Boswell: I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT TODAY, DAVID. I WOULD SAY, IF IT WAS TODAY, IT WOULD BE VERY, VERY DOUBTFUL. BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TIME BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT ELECTION. WE'VE GOT A MIDTERM ELECTION BEFORE THAT COMES THAT AFFECTS SOME OF US, AND THAT'S A WAYS AWAY.

Yepsen: WHAT WILL THE EFFECT BE ON THOSE MIDTERM ELECTIONS OF SEPTEMBER 11. DOES THIS HELP INCUMBENTS?

Boswell: YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE. I KNOW THAT OUR COUNTRY IS IN A REAL CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE COMFORTED THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER, THAT THERE'S UNITY. I THINK THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT, SO I SUPPOSE IT COULD HAVE SOME PLAY ON IT. I DON'T KNOW.

Yepsen: WELL, FLIP THIS AROUND. I MEAN, EVERYONE IS SAYING BUSH IS WAY AHEAD NOW AND HIS POLLS ON GOOD, BUT WE ALL REMEMBER HIS FATHER DID WELL AFTER THE GULF WAR AND, YET, HE STILL LOST. CAN THIS THING TURN AROUND?

Boswell: WELL, I SUPPOSE IT COULD. IT HAS HISTORICALLY. THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING TO MIKE A MOMENT AGO, I DON'T KNOW. THAT'S QUITE A WAYS AWAY.

Glover: WHAT'S THE MOOD OUT THERE? YOU'RE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN A MIDTERM ELECTION IN A NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. YOU'RE TALKING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. YOU'RE MEETING A LOT OF PEOPLE. YOU'RE BEING PRETTY ACTIVE. WHAT'S THE MOOD YOU SENSE AMONGST THE ELECTORATE OUT THERE, AND WILL THAT MOOD LAST UNTIL NEXT YEAR?

Boswell: WELL, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, IF WE STILL CONTINUE TO HAVE TERRORISTIC TYPE OF ACTIVITIES, THEN WE COULD HAVE SOME. BUT IF WE GET A HANDLE ON THIS AND HOLD IT DOWN -- AND THAT'S CERTAINLY MY GOAL AND OTHERS -- THEY'LL PROBABLY SHIFT TO THESE OTHER PRIORITIES TO SOME DEGREE, BUT RIGHT NOW THERE'S UNITY. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE KIND OF HOLDING HANDS IN THEIR FAMILIES, IN THE COMMUNITIES, THE STATE, AND THE COUNTRY.

Glover: HOW LONG CAN THAT LAST?

Boswell: I DON'T KNOW. I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHAT ELSE WE'RE CHALLENGED WITH WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. WHEN AMERICANS COME TOGETHER -- WE'RE A VERY DIVERSE COUNTRY OF ALL RACES AND ETHNIC GROUPS AND SO ON. AND WHEN I WATCHED THOSE TOWERS AS I LOOKED ACROSS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY THAT DAY TIME AFTER TIME, AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED OCCURRING TO ME, THERE'S THIS TERRIBLE THING GOING ON AND I'M LOOKING AT IT ACROSS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. IT KIND OF GOT TO ME A LITTLE BIT. I THOUGHT, MY GOSH, THAT IS THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM. AND HERE WE ARE SUCH A DIVERSE COUNTRY. WE'VE HAD OUR PROBLEMS BUT WHEN WE GET CHALLENGED, WE COME TOGETHER AND WE'RE STRONG. AND THEN WHEN THE CONFLICT IS OVER, IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS, THEN WE'RE VERY GENEROUS AND SO ON. THERE'S SOMETHING WE CAN BE VERY PROUD OF AND ALSO MAKE US REFLECT ON WHY DO PEOPLE WANT TO CAUSE US THIS KIND OF HARM. THERE'S IDEAS ABOUT IT BUT WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO GIVE THIS A LOT OF CONSIDERATION AND TRY TO GET INTO THE INTERVENTION, PREVENTION OF THAT AS WELL.

Borg: CONGRESSMAN, WITH THAT WE NEED TO CLOSE.

Boswell: OH, OKAY.

Borg: THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

Boswell: IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

Borg: AS NOTED, "IOWA PRESS," NOW IN ITS 31ST BROADCAST SEASON, HAS A NEW SCHEDULE. WE NOW AIR FRIDAYS AT 6:30 IN THE EVENING AND ON SUNDAYS AT NOON. AS WE CLOSE, WE PRESENT A SNAPSHOT FROM PAST "IOWA PRESS" PROGRAMS. NOT TOO LONG AGO, NEW YORK MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI JOINED US WHEN HE WAS PONDERING A POSSIBLE RUN FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT. YOU WILL SEE MAYOR GIULIANI DISCUSSING HIS INTERPRETATION OF HOW REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS VIEW THE FEDERAL ROLE IN GOVERNING THE NATION. I'M DEAN BORG. THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

Giuliani: WE STAND FOR MORE FREEDOM FOR PEOPLE. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY STANDS -- THIS IS AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION, BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN AMERICAN POLITICS. IT DOESN'T DESCRIBE EVERYBODY IN THE PARTY. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHEN IT WORKS BEST, GIVES PEOPLE MORE FREEDOM. IT OPTS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. IT OPTS FOR PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. IT OPTS FOR GIVING MORE MONEY BACK TO PEOPLE THROUGH A TAX REDUCTION SO THEY CAN MAKE THE CHOICE ABOUT SPENDING THEIR MONEY, RATHER THAN WHAT DEMOCRATS MORE OFTEN DO, WHICH IS: "LET'S BUILD GOVERNMENT AND THEN WE'LL DECIDE HOW TO SPEND YOUR MONEY." THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MORE AGGRESSIVELY OPTS FOR WORKFARE OVER WELFARE; WORK BEING AT THE CORE OF SOMEONE'S LIFE, RATHER THAN THE DAMAGE THAT'S DONE BY MAKING SOMEBODY DEPENDENT. SO I SEE -- AND CRIME REDUCTION, WHICH HAS BEEN AT THE CORE OF WHAT I'VE DONE IN NEW YORK CITY, GIVES PEOPLE THE FREEDOM TO ENJOY THEIR COMMUNITY, WHICH THEY LACK WHEN THEY LIVE IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS. SO I THINK OUR PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, CAN ARGUE TO PEOPLE THAT WE BEGAN AS A PARTY THAT BRINGS MORE FREEDOM TO PEOPLE. AND THAT'S AT THE CORE OF OUR PHILOSOPHY. THEN, THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE SOME DISAGREEMENT, WE'RE ENTITLED TO HAVE DISAGREEMENT. BUT REPUBLICANS COME TOGETHER AROUND, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WE'RE GOING TO SELECT THE PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM RATHER THAN BUILDING THE GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY. DEMOCRATS MORE OFTEN, NOT ALWAYS, ARE GOING TO SELECT LET'S BUILD A GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY, LET'S BUILD A GOVERNMENT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

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