The Return of Elliott Eastman (20 page)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Elliott fell asleep on his hotel room couch while watching the evening news. Several of the news feeds showed the reaction of the crowd when word reached it that the House had passed SB 1190 with instructions suggesting the Senate recede from their previous amendments. An enormous roar akin to the sound of six 747s landing blew through the crowd. The ground shook. People were hugging. Many men and women were in tears. One fellow on top of an RV painted in American flags, who had become a favorite of the media, was waving a banner which read: “Senate. Don’t tread on SB 1190!”

The noise from the T.V. brought a groggy Elliott back to awareness. Soon he was bouncing between stations with his grin widening by the moment. Charlie Rose was interviewing former Treasury Secretary Thomas Guttner who said, “If the ‘War on The Deficit’ can get through the House and the Conference Committees, as it just did it might just have a chance to pass the Senate, although the Senate was where the last amending process threw a wrench in the works. If it does pass, we are looking at many structural changes to the way Americans live.”

On ‘The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell’, Lawrence interviewed retired General Robert Gates who commented; “The bill is well thought out and grounded in common sense. It ought to pass, and I think it will. This Congress is showing that it may have more common sense than others we’ve seen in the past.”

Jon Stewart opened his evening comedy show with a minute of silence showing the thousands of people on the Capitol Mall as news of the House passage surged amongst them.

Jon turned to his audience and said, “I know this is supposed to be a comedy show, but I’d like to take a moment to get serious and simply speak from the bottom of my heart. We might just be witnessing one of America’s finest hours. If they can get this deal done, then I will truly believe a new day has dawned in America.”

His audience roared their approval.

Elliott dozed off as one of the late evening pundits was asking a guest, “exactly how much has the roll of populist pressure played in getting the ‘War on the Deficit’ bill so close to becoming law?”

Elliott woke up around two a.m. with a bulging bladder. He found his cane and limped his way to the restroom. Slowly easing himself into a sitting position on the john he murmured, “Such tired, tired bones.”

His mind wandered until he realized he wasn’t going. He pushed as best he could, but still nothing happened. He tried urinating off and on for the next two hours with no success. Finally, with the pressure becoming unbearable, he called Dr. Yates.

“Hello,” a sleepy voice said.

“Doc? Hi, it’s Elliott Eastman. I have a problem which I don’t think can be described in a graceful way. My bladder is killing me. I can’t take a leak.”

“How bad is it?” the doctor asked.

“Bad. I’ve been trying to go for hours and can’t. I don’t think I can take it much longer.”

“Okay. I’m going to call Bethesda hospital and line up a doctor. You get yourself in a taxi and get over there right away.”

“I’m on my way.”

Forty-five minutes later Elliott was seated on the edge of a gurney having a slender tube inserted in his urethra. A moment later the urine began to flow.

After a few minutes Elliott released a large sigh and said, “Thank you so much, Doctor Glynn. That might be the best feeling in the entire world.”

“I’ve heard patients say that before. Hopefully I will never have to experience it.”

“Your personal physician Dr. Yates has asked me to take samples and hold you for observation.”

“Hold me for how long?”

“I’ll need to run some tests, but I think you’ll grant me that time as I’m going to determine if this event is something which might occur again.”

Elliott smiled. “Take all the time you need. I’d like to go out and buy a couple of newspapers to pass the time.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Eastman. Dr. Yates explained you are having a little difficulty moving around. Being as you’re a former Senator I’ll just ask one of the nurses to pick them up on her way in. Why don’t you jot down the names of the papers on the prescription pad?”

A half hour later Elliott was resting comfortably in a private room sipping a large black coffee and reading the New York Times. The front page showed the masses outside the Capitol Buildings. The headline read, “Woodstock II on Capitol Hill”. The accompanying article went on to explain how the age of the Internet was connecting people and causes. A secondary article commented on the big names which had shown up to wow the crowd.

Elliott was just starting in on an article from the Financial Times which also showed the crowd, but delved into European reaction to the famed SB 1190 and the rising chorus calling for a financial transaction fee across the pond when his cell phone rang.

Archie was on the line. “So what do you think?” he asked.

“Nice work. We all came together when we needed too.”

“Do you still need me? Goldie is starting to be a real pain. Ouch. You gotta start hitting me on my other shoulder. This one is simply one huge bruise.”

Elliott chuckled. “I see you two are still getting along famously. If you don’t mind, I’d like you and Goldie on standby for another few days until the final Senate vote.”

“Roger that. Talk to you soon,” Backspace replied and the line went dead.

Elliott was just returning to the article when his phone rang again. It was the President.

“How are things going? How do you feel?” Paul asked.

“Pretty darn good. I’m beginning to think we should start preparing a victory party.”

“Not so fast. We still need to nurse it through the Senate.”

“What’s the word from your insiders in the Senate?”

“I can’t say. It’s hard to read, but I get the feeling something is going on that doesn’t pass the smell test,” Paul revealed.

“What makes you say that?”

“When you’ve been around Congress as long as I have you just get a sense of the undercurrents, but I’m having difficulty reading this one.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Elliott admitted.

“We’ll know soon enough. The Senate meets tomorrow morning. Keep your speech handy. We may not need it, but I’d like to know you’re ready.”

“I’m here, just keep me posted.”

“I will. And by the way Elliott, since I let it be known that I’m ready and willing to sign SB 1190, my ratings are up to 79% of all voters.”

Elliott released a low whistle. “That’s up there with Kennedy at his high point.”

“I know,” the President crowed.

“There are good people in this land. Once they were made aware of the importance of this bill they stood up to be counted,” Elliott said.

“My re-election is almost a sure thing.”

“I won’t argue with you there, but nothing is done until you sign the bill. Let’s get this thing done and then we’ll start tallying up your votes.”

“Ever the voice of reason,” the President said. “Talk to you soon.”

Elliott hung up and his phone rang again.

“Hello, Elliott here.”

“Elliott, it’s Doctor Yates.”

“Yes, Paul.”

“There has been some damage to your bladder. You may have another episode like last night again. I can’t say for sure. Your platelets and white blood cell counts are low.”

“Meaning?”

“Your body is trying to fight back but losing the battle.” Both men fell silent. “The unfortunate thing is if the urethra issues persist, the only answer is a colostomy bag.”

“I’m not wearing some crap bag,” Elliott argued, indignant at the thought.

“I knew you’d say that Elliott. We’ll put that on the back burner for now, but listen, since you’re at the hospital I’ve scheduled another series of radiation treatments.”

Elliott groaned.

“I guess we may as well deliver all the bitter pills at once,” Doctor Yates continued, “I’ve had your blood type for years and have asked a number of physician’s groups to put out the word for a marrow donor. We may have someone who is willing to donate. We’re doing blood tests to be sure he has no diseases such as hepatitis and the like.”

“Okay, thanks Paul,” Elliott said softly.

“I’ve also spoken with the staff at Bethesda and explained the importance of your position in the world and why the radiation treatment must be done in as precise and timely a manner as possible. They can have you prepped and in and out in two days, and that includes recovery time. It might help stave off further bladder issues, at least for a while.”

Elliott imagined himself with a plastic bag slung around his waist and said, “Let’s do it.”

“Let me talk with Dr. Glynn and see how soon he can assemble his team and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thanks Doc.”

Chapter Fifty

Elliott placed a call to the President at exactly 8:15 in the morning, when he knew the Commander-in-Chief would be winding up his morning oatmeal.

“Good morning Elliott. Your timing is perfect, as usual.”

“Good morning Paul. A quick question; what do your people say is the pulse of the Senate regarding SB 1190?”

“My spies you mean?”

Elliott laughed. “Your word, not mine, but I was thinking about what you said last night about not being able to read the undercurrents in the Senate and, well, I was hoping you could expand on that.”

“The word seems to be we might have a majority, but there are a large number of undecided, and the opposition is entrenched and unwavering. That’s all I’ve got at the moment, but I’ll let you know if I hear anything else. I think the raucous crowd is helping to sway opinion. How long can you keep them out there?”

“My people have arranged for various music legends to appear on different days. Morgan Freeman is going to give a speech at some point today, and I think Robert Redford is scheduled to say a few words right after, so we may be able to keep them at the Capital longer than we originally had hoped.”

“Excellent, keep up the good work.”

“Have a good day.”

A thought had been lurking in the back of Elliott’s mind, just an incomplete germ of an idea, but it had been growing. Elliott sat for a moment, went through the stored numbers on his phone and then placed a call to Senator Carl Carimendi. One of Carl’s assistants answered. As soon as she found out it was Elliott on the line she put him right through.

“Elliott thanks for the call. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has Carl. I wanted to personally call and say thanks for all that you and Roger Portman have been doing.”

“Well thanks back at you, but we’re just doing our job. We believe in this thing.”

“Carl, the real reason for my call is to tell you how this vote is going to come down and ask you a question. You can bet the farm they are going to filibuster it, but here is the question. When we counter their filibuster with a Motion for Cloture, what usually happens?”

“Cloture essentially means ‘closure’, meaning the filibuster is over until we vote on the Cloture Motion, but still we must wait for two days for it to ripen on the calendar until it can be voted on.”

“I understand, but what I’m asking is what happens to the filibuster? What does the opposition do?”

Carl thought for a moment. “Well, they know we have to wait forty-eight hours for the cloture vote, so there is no longer a need for a filibuster. Usually the Senator who has the floor, the one doing the filibuster, gives up the floor and the opposition leaves for their offices to take care of other business, or whatever,” he answered slowly.

“Absolutely correct, now here’s what we’re going to do …”

The conference report with the re-write striking the wording in the three amendments the Senate had proposed and reinserting the original wording passed by the House was entered on the Senate Calendar. After the normal Senate business was disposed of in the morning session, the consideration of SB 1190 began. Senator Thomas Coryn of Texas was still smarting from the tongue lashing he’d received from Senator Roger Portman at the Conference Committee meeting. Although only two days ago he had agreed with Cobbings and Bainer that a filibuster was a fruitless endeavor, he made the snap decision right then to move forward with one. He stood to be recognized. The Presiding Officer Pro Tem, Senator Will Campbell from Wyoming, said, “The chair recognizes the Honorable Senator Thomas Coryn from Texas.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have ambivalent thoughts regarding this bill. There might be a time and place for this legislation, but with the current weakness in the economy …”

Elliott was watching on television from his hotel room, putting the finishing touches on his speech, when he heard Coryn begin speaking.

“Okay, here we go,” he said to the screen. The filibuster was made possible by Senate Rules which allowed a Senator to speak as long as he or she wanted as long as they held the floor.

An hour later Coryn was still speaking and Elliott was starting to get agitated.

“How long are you going to wait before making the Cloture Motion?” he asked the screen.

When Senator Curt Graham stood to be recognized, and the Chair did so, he asked, “Would my colleague Senator Coryn yield for a question?”

Elliott shook his head. “Smart move, Graham.”

Elliott knew if Graham had asked Coryn to yield the floor then the filibuster was over, but asking him to yield for a question allowed Coryn technically to continue to hold the floor, while Graham took his sweet time to ask his question. Essentially, Graham was giving his conspirator a little time for a breather. Coryn got a glass of water, two Starbucks double shots and some snack peanuts from one of the Senate Pages while Graham took a rather lengthy time to frame the background for his question. Six hours later, cots were brought into the Senate building in anticipation of a long filibuster as Coryn continued speaking into the night.

It was nearing midnight when Elliott saw a number of pages begin moving papers between various senators.

“Good work guys,” Elliott said softly. He knew they were gathering the sixteen signatures required to invoke cloture. Cloture limited debate on a bill to only thirty hours after cloture was approved, thus ending a filibuster, but the Cloture Motion had to sit on the Senate Calendar ripening for two days before it could be voted on.

Senator Carl Carimendi of California stood to be recognized and spoke immediately. “The Senate submits sixteen signatures as required to make a Motion for Cloture.”

Coryn slowly fell silent, but remained standing and Carimendi repeated his statement.

“The Cloture Motion has been presented in accordance with rule XXII. The chair directs the Clerk to read the motion,” the Presiding Officer stated.

The legislative clerk stood and proceeded as ordered. “We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, hereby move to bring to a close debate on Senate Bill 1190. Signatories are as follows: Senators, Carimendi, Portman, Batt, Morgan, Ampara, Roberts, Liu, Frontieri, Davis, Landry, Schlageter, Morales, West, Dumas, Hays, Lewis and Flynn.”

Coryn sat down and glanced at his watch. It was well past midnight. He knew the Cloture Motion had to sit in layover for two days, so his work here was completed. Carl Carimendi stood to be recognized again.

“The Chair recognizes the good Senator from California.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. While we are all still here I would like to say a few words in regards to SB 1190 and the filibuster procedure in general. The urgency of reforming the Senate rules is evident from the increased usage of the filibuster in recent years. The filibuster again and again is being used as a de facto veto by the minority party. This is an abuse of power. And this bill, which I’ve studied in great detail, offers a blueprint for the future, the likes of which …”

With those words Coryn, Graham and two dozen other Senators stood and made their way towards the exits.

Carimendi continued as he watched them leave. “This document offers not only a new revenue stream which doesn’t hurt the common man, but …”

A few minutes later Carimendi stopped and said softly, “Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest the absence of a quorum.”

“Good work,” Elliott whispered as his hands began to sweat. He stood and began pacing as best he could without turning his back to the screen.

Puzzled, the Chairman Pro Tem Will Campbell shrugged and said, “The Clerk shall call the roll.”

It took fifteen minutes but the clerk determined that a quorum, a majority of the senators, was present. Elliott knew most of the remaining senators in the room and all were, in varying degrees, in support of the bill.

“The Chair represents a quorum is present.”

Senator Portman stood to be recognized.

“The Chair recognizes the good Senator.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. May I ask my good friend from California to yield two minutes of his time?”

“I yield the two minutes,” Senator Carimendi agreed.

“Thank you, Senator. Mr. Chairman, I hereby lay the Motion for Cloture on the table.”

“You’re withdrawing the motion?” Chairman Campbell asked, surprise written across his face.

“Yes, Mr. Chairman.”

Chairman Campbell waved the Senate Parliamentarian to come over. The two consulted briefly. The Senate Parliamentarian is the resident expert on Senate rules and procedure. They whispered back and forth for a short while longer and then turned to the Clerk and said, “It is so ordered. The Motion for Cloture on SB 1190 is hereby tabled.”

“I yield the balance of my time back to Mr. Carimendi.”

“C’mon guys, you can do this,” Elliott whispered with his heart pounding.

Senator Carimendi spoke. “I move for the previous question before the body.”

“What is before the body?” Chairman Campbell asked momentarily confused.

“SB 1190, that’s what I was addressing before the honorable Senator Portman asked me to yield two minutes.”

It was well past midnight. Chairman Campbell was growing tired, but his attention was suddenly sparked. ‘They’re executing a sort of modified nuclear option,’ he thought, and sat straighter in his chair attempting to remember the next step required of him.

“C’mon Will, you’ve been around long enough,” Elliott whispered. “You know what to do.”

“I hereby make a parliamentary ruling citing the argument that the constitution requires that the will of the majority be effective on Senate rules and procedures. A quorum is present. A vote on the previous question is so ordered. The Clerk will conduct a roll call vote regarding SB 1190.”

The Clerk, as duly ordered, began calling the roll where each senator was required to stand and state their yea or nay and their vote was then recorded by the Clerk. The vote seemed to take forever in Elliott’s eyes. As each Senator stood and voted yea his anxiety grew. When the final vote was tallied by the Clerk a few minutes later, it was sixty-one yeas and seven nays.

“The yeas have it,” the chairman said in a solemn tone.

“Mr. Chairman, I move to adjourn,” Carimendi said.

Senator Portman stood and said, “I second the motion.”

Campbell brought the gavel down. “Meeting adjourned.”

Elliott stood stock still for a moment not sure he could believe his eyes. As he watched the senators shaking hands and congratulating each other the truth sunk in. It was a majority vote in the affirmative. The bill had been passed. As soon as the president signed it SB 1190 was law!

He wondered who he might call at one in the morning, but he didn’t want to bother anyone this late.

“It’s another tequila moment, Greer.”

With that he called room service and ordered two tequilas on the rocks; one for Greer and one for himself.