The Congress: An Adequate Number of Democrats

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· HEALTH: Since 1961, Democratic Administrations have tried in vain to get a medicare bill that would offer hospital care for Americans over 65, paid for by an additional social security tax. This year Johnson made medicare the subject of his first message to Congress and embedded it in an elaborate package of other health projects (see box). To make medicare acceptable, Johnson agreed with Wilbur Mills's plan to finance it with a separate payroll tax. The bill almost certainly will pass both houses. "That will be done quickly," predicted Albert. And New Mexico's Democratic Senator Clinton Anderson, a co-sponsor of the proposal, added: "This time it is going to be a law, not just a bill."

· EDUCATION: This is the bill the President seems to be keenest about this session. It calls for $1.5 billion to be added the first year to the $4 billion now being spent for federal aid to education. Unlike Kennedy, who sent up a public school construction bill that roused a roaring controversy in 1961 by flatly excluding private and parochial (mostly Roman Catholic) schools, Lyndon tiptoed around the religious issue. About $1 billion of the package would go to public schools in "poverty-impacted" areas rather than across the board. The rest would be for individual scholarships and grants, and for carefully pinpointed programs such as expanded testing, guidance, and gifted children's facilities in both public and private schools. Albert called Johnson's cautious plan "a fringe attack on the education problem," but predicted it would still be tough to pass. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield agreed: "It will be a problem—although the religious debate is less of a factor every year."

· TAXES: Johnson wants to cut by about $1.5 billion federal excise taxes on retail items, perhaps including luggage, jewelry, cosmetics. Congress is eager indeed to slash excise taxes—so much so that there is considerable agitation to repeal nearly all of them. Frugal Lyndon wants to stop far short of that and may run into rugged opposition to holding the cuts down to his figure. But Albert is slightly optimistic, says: "I do think something can be worked out." The President also wants Congress to ensure quickie tax-cut procedures that would allow fast—but temporary—action should a recession appear in the offing. Well aware that the legislative branch is savagely jealous of its taxation powers, Johnson wisely planned to leave the authority for quick cuts with the Congress rather than ask for the power himself—as John Kennedy had done when he lost out on a similar proposal in 1962.