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Conversation 501-030

TapeTape 501StartWednesday, May 19, 1971 at 6:10 PMEndWednesday, May 19, 1971 at 6:16 PMTape start time06:28:21Tape end time06:31:57ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Haldeman, H. R. ("Bob");  White House operator;  Rogers, William P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss legislative strategy regarding upcoming Senate votes on the Mathias and Mansfield amendments. The conversation centers on timing the floor votes to minimize opposition success, specifically noting that the Mansfield amendment is expected to be defeated. Nixon consults with Secretary of State William P. Rogers to coordinate communication with Senator Mike Mansfield, aiming to manage the debate schedule and ensure favorable outcomes for the administration.

Senate legislative strategyMathias AmendmentMansfield AmendmentCongressional relationsWilliam P. Rogers
AudioNARA Description

On May 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, White House operator, and William P. Rogers met in the Oval Office of the White House from 6:10 pm to 6:16 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 501-030 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 501-30

Date: May 19, 1971
Time: 6:10 pm - 6:16 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman.

     Robert H. Finch's and Donald H. Rumsfeld's report

     Charles McC. Mathias Amendment
          -Debate

     Michael J. Mansfield Amendment
         -Debate
         -White House strategy
         -Debate, vote
         -Mansfield
                -Conversation with William P. Rogers

                     -Rogers’ call to Dwight L. Chapin

[The President talked with the White House operator at an unknown time between 6:10 pm and
6:11 pm]

[Conversation No. 501-30A]

[See Conversation No. 3-68]

[End of telephone conversation]

                -Vote
                     -Mathias Amendment

[The President talked with Rogers between 6:11 pm and 6:15 pm]

[Conversation No. 501-30B]

[See Conversation No. 3-69]

[End of telephone conversation]

The recording was cut off at an unknown time while the conversation was in progress.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Well, that was an interesting recording.
It really was.
You've got, uh... One problem is, is the button's still open.
How about it?
I thought you asked at least for seven, apparently, because as of 6 a.m., it started to fade, or just before.
Yeah.
And they are tied up to an hour of tape, which they don't think they'll take.
Yeah.
And, uh, so we've got some guys leaving.
Other than that, no, I don't think so.
After the finance, Mansfield is next.
And he has three hours of debate if he wants it then.
So you have to know whether or not to call him to the vote.
Questions whether to call him or not, I think we ought to wait, wait, wait for a while more.
There's the possibility that Mansfield will want the debate and will put off his vote for tomorrow.
However, I don't think that will happen now because Roger says talk to Mansfield, which is
I don't want his foot off, because this is going to get voted in.
Mathias loses, and Mansfield will lose for sure.
And President, they won't vote Nancy.
So, I wondered if you had a plan to talk out of this.
What came out of your hands?
Yeah, it's about Paul.
He told me that you, I understand, the van is going to come out at 7 o'clock and it's very close, is that right?
The real problem is, about that bill, is it's death debt.
These guys can only just wait.
I mean, they can only realize they're going to look better tomorrow.
You can almost apply that.
Yeah.
He will appreciate the fact that you called, because tomorrow when he hears this, it's going to be like an actual cold water.
You know, not, I mean, he'll like it.
It's done.
It'll be like a village of water and sense of the earth.
He's, you know, putting up an event to tie our hands.
We accomplished something.
Time to go at seven o'clock.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
This is a count, but, you know, we're done.
No, President.
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