← 010-081010-083 →

Conversation 010-082

TapeTape 10StartWednesday, October 6, 1971 at 11:55 AMEndWednesday, October 6, 1971 at 12:01 PMTape start time02:38:05Tape end time02:40:25ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Gross, H. R.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon called Representative H. R. Gross to express his appreciation for Gross's effective parliamentary maneuver in the House, which contributed to a significant legislative victory for the administration. Gross explained the tactical use of a quorum call and inquiry to catch the opposition by surprise despite intense labor union pressure. The two also discussed strategy for an upcoming Senate vote, with the President encouraging Hugh Scott to utilize filibuster tactics if necessary to block unfavorable outcomes.

Parliamentary procedureHouse of RepresentativesLegislative strategyLabor unionsSenateFilibuster
AudioNARA Description

On October 6, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. Gross talked on the telephone from 11:55 am to 12:01 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 010-082 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 10-82

Date: October 6, 1971
Time: 11:55 am - 12:01 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with H. R. Gross.

[See Conversation No. 283-33B]

     House of Representatives

           -Gross’ Parliamentary move
                -Senate
                      -Hugh Scott
                -Gerald R. Ford
                -Lewis Deschler
                -Tactics
                      -Carl Albert
                      -Quorum call
                      -Protest of adjournment
                      -Ford
                      -Labor union pressure
                -Upcoming Senate vote
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Yeah.
Congressman Gross, Mr. President.
Yeah.
Hello?
Hello.
HR?
Yes.
I just wanted you to know that in checking with my spies up there, they told me that the Gross move, the parliamentary move, really was what helped us get that great win on Monday, and I wanted to thank you.
I called Hugh Scott this morning, and I really rode that Senate.
I said, by God, if they didn't stop this, they ought to talk it to death.
That's exactly right.
Well, they should.
But your move was great, and Jerry Ford and all the boys were telling me about it.
I was down in Florida, and I'm just working now on this Phase II thing.
I'm going to announce it tomorrow night.
But I was so pleased to see it come up.
But you apparently caught them by surprise.
Yes, we did.
And how did you do it?
Did you go up to talk to Deschler, or how did you get it?
Oh, I qualified Carl on the floor Friday and rose to parliamentary inquiry and asked him if he would recognize me then or later.
And he said he had no discretion but to recognize me.
And, of course, then I put on a quorum call and found there were 200 absentees.
Many of them are...
our friends, and so I gave up putting it on, although I threw some motions of protesting the adjournment of the House, but served notice then that told Jerry to get the troops around, because we were going to go Monday morning, that we were losing ground.
and the heat was going on from the labor unions.
That's exactly right.
I got one telegram, Mr. President, I got one telegram from a labor organization which said we were caught unaware.
Isn't that too bad?
It was just one they sent out to everybody.
Sure, sure.
A member of Congress, we were caught unaware.
Sure they were.
Yeah, yeah.
Anyway, there was a delegation over in Italy, and I had no reason for protecting them.
That's right.
That's right.
Well, it was really a great one, and I think it could have been very important.
We feel fairly good about the Senate vote, but I told Scott, I said, if they didn't have the votes, just talk it.
You know, they can talk it to death over there.
Of course they can.
We can.
They've got through Thursday, as I understand.
Uh-huh.
Well, Mr. President, thank you very much.
Well, I sure appreciate it.
Give my best to Waterloo.
Will do.
Okay, sir.
Thank you.
← 010-081010-083 →