postpones a bill until the objections can be resolved-or horse-traded out of existence.”
“I don’t see anyone being bold enough to put a hold on this amendment. It’s much too high profile.”
“Actually, I’ve gotten word of three different senators willing to do exactly that. And one of them is a Republican!”
“But all the polls show that the people favor this bill. I would think the political fallout for those making the objection-”
“And now you’re going to see why this is called the Senate’s dark secret. The secret reason so many bills favored by the public never get to the floor.” He paused. “Legislative holds can be made anonymously. One senator can keep a bill off the floor indefinitely. There is zero accountability.”
“But that’s totally undemocratic.”
“You’re not the first to think so. But it still gets done all the time. Back in 1999, Tom Daschle and Trent Lott got together to broker a deal that would force all senators who put in a hold to be reported to the sponsor of the bill and have their name submitted in writing to the party leader. But the deal fell apart.”
“And this occurs frequently?”
“Ohio’s Howard Metzenbaum used to put a hold on every single tax bill that came through his door. It was so common the AAs started calling the holds ‘Metzes,’ as in, ‘Don’t waste your time, there’s a Metz on that bill.’ Sometimes the senators will use ‘rolling holds.’”
“Dare I ask?”
“One senator places a hold on the bill, does some trading, gets what he wants, and then someone else puts a hold on it. If they team up, they can keep a bill off the floor for a long time. With three senators already ponying up to play this game-it could be a good while before this amendment is voted upon. And I think time is of the essence here, both for political and national security reasons.”
“Certainly the president thinks so.”
“The longer this drags out, the less chance there will be of passing it. And if the president’s term ends-it’s over.”
Ben couldn’t resist the thought flashing through his brain. Maybe that would be best. Maybe we need more time for reflection. Maybe these three senators are the voices of courage, not obstruction.
But he stopped himself. More thinking in that direction would only lead to madness. He had given his promise.
“So what are we going to do about it?”
“Well, the traditional approach would be to offer the three roadblocks something they want even more than they want to block that bill.”
“I’m the most junior senator in Congress,” Ben said wearily. “I don’t have anything to give.”
“Don’t feel bad-even I don’t have anything to give that they want more than they want to slow down this process. No, the only solution I can see is to out these guys. Go public. Let them feel the heat. Take responsibility for their actions.”
“Didn’t you say the holds were anonymous?”
“I sure did.”
Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know who they are?”
“Wish that I did. But, no, I don’t. Well, I have a hunch about the Republican. But as for the other two, I have no clue.”
“Then how-?”
“But I understand,” DeMouy continued, “that pretty little chief of staff of yours really gets around.”
“Christina?”
“Yes, you remember. I believe you married her a while back.” DeMouy grinned. “I know you two haven’t been here that long, but apparently she really has a way with people. As well as a gift for sniffing out secrets.”
“That she does.”
“My secretary Therese has been with me twenty-one years, and she says she’s never seen anything like that little firebrand of yours. So I was thinking-”
“You want Christina to find out who the three holdups are.”
“Of course, you didn’t hear me say that.”
“Understood. If anyone could do it, it would be Christina. There’s just one problem. She opposes the amendment.”
DeMouy waved a hand in the air. “Yeah, I heard about that. So what?”
“So, she has been known to be somewhat…on the stubborn side. I could go back to my office now and ask, but she-”
“Office. Please. Ben.” DeMouy looked at him sternly. “You are married to this woman, right?”
“Riiight.”
“Don’t ask her in the office. Ask her tonight.”
“Tonight?”
DeMouy’s voice dropped an octave. “In the bedroom.”
“Why-?”
“You know.” DeMouy jabbed his elbow into Ben’s side. “After.”
“After she’s asleep? What would be the point?”
“Not after she’s asleep. After”-more jabbing-“you know.”
“I do? Oh. Oh! ”
“Now you get the picture.”
Well, he had a distant memory, anyway. “I really don’t think-”
“Just give it a try, son. How do you think I captured the heart of that young little filly of mine? It’s the way to go.”
“It is?”
DeMouy nodded enthusiastically. “Might consider bringing home flowers, too.” He smiled, then retook his ladle. “Now how about some more gumbo? You did pretty good with that first helping.”
Why not? Ben thought, as he held out his bowl. He needed some time to think. Somehow, he suspected this project was going to require a lot more than a bouquet of roses.
31
Ben tiptoed quietly into his apartment, flowers tickling his nose. It was dark inside and quiet-good. He must’ve beaten Christina home.
He flipped on the lights, then gently laid down the bouquet of roses, then the box of chocolates, then the Hallmark “Heartfelt” card (“Sometimes you have to stop thinking and follow your heart”), then the Hershey’s Kisses. He had briefly considered getting her a puppy, but wasn’t sure how it would fare in a small apartment with three cats.
He had practiced his speech about a thousand times, but he hadn’t thought about where he wanted to be standing when he delivered it. So many questions! Perhaps leaning against the mantel of the fireplace, a pipe in one hand, the light of the fire illuminating his face in a mysterious yet attractive manner…
But the fireplace was a fake-you couldn’t really burn wood in it, and he didn’t smoke a pipe. Christina had thrown out his button-down sweaters.
Perhaps reclining on the sofa, supine, several shirt buttons unbuttoned. Or just in an undershirt. Or perhaps even Who was he kidding? He couldn’t pull any of that off, even if he did think it would work, which he didn’t.
