America the Beautiful: An American Political RP (IC)

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Congresswoman Abigail Jekyll-Jones
@RepJekyllJones
jekylljones.house.gov | Klamath Falls, OR

---

Drugs are an abominable evil in society, and must be fought with all available ability, but current proposals in the House would lead to treating first-time drug offenders with good backgrounds from ordinary American towns on the - (1/2)

---

- same level as a Los Angeleno gangbanger who lets the flame of addiction burn through his community. That's neither moral nor just, nor reflects a sound approach to narcotics policy. I will be opposing the LEAP Act to protect our communities. (2/2)

[Velahor]

(Image)
Congresswoman Abigail Jekyll-Jones
@RepJekyllJones
jekylljones.house.gov | Klamath Falls, OR

---

Drugs are an abominable evil in society, and must be fought with all available ability, but current proposals in the House would lead to treating first-time drug offenders with good backgrounds from ordinary American towns on the - (1/2)

---

- same level as a Los Angeleno gangbanger who lets the flame of addiction burn through his community. That's neither moral nor just, nor reflects a sound approach to narcotics policy. I will be opposing the LEAP Act to protect our communities. (2/2)

Diane Paulson
@DianeForMaine
paulson.house.gov | Presque Isle, ME

---

That's not what LEAP is. It sets crack offenders on the same level as powder offenders, not the other way around. And LEAP does not eliminate the “safety valve” provision currently available to all low-level, nonviolent, first-time drug offenders. #LEAPAct

[Deblar]

(Image)
Diane Paulson
@DianeForMaine
paulson.house.gov | Presque Isle, ME

---

There is no justification for treating powder cocaine different than crack cocaine offenses. The only notable difference between the two is that crack cocaine has historically been used in inner-city communities and powder cocaine in affluent neighborhoods and the suburbs. I'm very glad to have a bipartisan team of sponsors on board to eliminate the sentencing disparity through the LEAP Act.

Liked and retweeted by @HugoFitzgeraldTX

[Velahor]

A Note Left at the Office of Congressman John Amos Mattox III
Congressman Mattox,

I wanted to share my deepest gratitude toward your vote in favor of the Meat Access, Regulation, Knowledge, and Ethical Treatment Act. While there are rumors of a whip on the bill, I personally am very proud to know that there are other Democrats in Congress like yourself who are personally willing to take a stand and fix bad policy, regardless of what the powerful think of it.

While we have not yet become acquainted, I have a lot of respect for your record and tenure in the House. If at all possible for you, I would like to meet soon to discuss our legislative priorities. I owe you one for that MARKET vote!

Sincerely,

William Scott Rogers III
United States Senator (D-Montana)
Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee

P.S.: I see that you're also a "III". Quite a coincidence.

A Note Left at the Office of Senator William Scott Rogers III

Senator Rogers,

If you are able, please feel free to drop by my office on either February 5 or 6 after 5 pm. I will be dining alone, planning future legislation, and sitting with my own thoughts from then until midnight. I will, quite coincidentally, be having steak for supper. There is no need to thank me for my vote; I am, deep down, an incrementalist progressive and will accept what changes I am able to get, though I am more than willing to make a stand.

Hoping you are well,

John Amos Mattox (D-MA8)

Office of Representative John Amos Mattox III

Senator William Rogers stopped by on February 5 at about 5:15 to speak with Representative Mattox. He knocked on the door of the office and waited for a response.

[Madrinpoor]

Representative Frank Loloma
@FrankLoloma
loloma.house.gov | Window Rock, AZ

---

I know firsthand the damage drugs can cause to a community — but we must also remember that nonviolent drug users aren't criminals, they're SICK and need HELP. The real criminals are drug dealers, both on the streets and behind big opioid companies. #LEAP #LockUpDealers

[Meretica]

A Note Left at the Office of Senator William Scott Rogers III

Senator Rogers,

If you are able, please feel free to drop by my office on either February 5 or 6 after 5 pm. I will be dining alone, planning future legislation, and sitting with my own thoughts from then until midnight. I will, quite coincidentally, be having steak for supper. There is no need to thank me for my vote; I am, deep down, an incrementalist progressive and will accept what changes I am able to get, though I am more than willing to make a stand.

Hoping you are well,

John Amos Mattox (D-MA8)

Office of Representative John Amos Mattox III

Senator William Rogers stopped by on February 5 at about 5:15 to speak with Representative Mattox. He knocked on the door of the office and waited for a response.

The knob turned and the door opened. Mattox stood in the doorway and motioned for Rogers to come in. "Welcome, Senator. Please, ce in. I have steak, rolls, and mashed potatoes, as well as some iced tea, if you'd like any."

[Velahor]

Office of Representative John Amos Mattox III

Senator William Rogers stopped by on February 5 at about 5:15 to speak with Representative Mattox. He knocked on the door of the office and waited for a response.

The knob turned and the door opened. Mattox stood in the doorway and motioned for Rogers to come in. "Welcome, Senator. Please, ce in. I have steak, rolls, and mashed potatoes, as well as some iced tea, if you'd like any."

William felt a bit intrusive taking Mattox's food. But at the same time, he honestly was really hungry after spending a long day on the Senate floor followed by a meeting with the Majority Leader.

"Oh, really? That's so generous of you sir. Yeah, I'll take a little of all of it. Thanks!"

He walked through the doorway into the office.

[Meretica]

The knob turned and the door opened. Mattox stood in the doorway and motioned for Rogers to come in. "Welcome, Senator. Please, ce in. I have steak, rolls, and mashed potatoes, as well as some iced tea, if you'd like any."

The knob turned and the door opened. Mattox stood in the doorway and motioned for Rogers to come in. "Welcome, Senator. Please, ce in. I have steak, rolls, and mashed potatoes, as well as some iced tea, if you'd like any."

William felt a bit intrusive taking Mattox's food. But at the same time, he honestly was really hungry after spending a long day on the Senate floor followed by a meeting with the Majority Leader.

"Oh, really? That's so generous of you sir. Yeah, I'll take a little of all of it. Thanks!"

He walked through the doorway into the office.

"I took the liberty of setting out a second plate; I figured that if you didn't come, there was a staffer that ought to be fed around here somewhere. Don't bother with the thanks, it was no issue, truly," Mattox replied. "And don't bother with calling me sir; save that for the floor."

Mattox led the way into his office. There was a round table with four chairs seated around it. Two plates were set out with neatly-cut medium-rare steaks, a sizeable portion of the aforementioned vegetables, and a slice of key lime pie. Two glasses (one empty, one filled) sat on the table as well, near a half-full pitcher of iced tea. Several pieces of paper, a number of sticky notes, and a few note cards were strewn across part of the table.

"Pardon the mess, I've not tidied up."

[Velahor]

William felt a bit intrusive taking Mattox's food. But at the same time, he honestly was really hungry after spending a long day on the Senate floor followed by a meeting with the Majority Leader.

"Oh, really? That's so generous of you sir. Yeah, I'll take a little of all of it. Thanks!"

He walked through the doorway into the office.

"I took the liberty of setting out a second plate; I figured that if you didn't come, there was a staffer that ought to be fed around here somewhere. Don't bother with the thanks, it was no issue, truly," Mattox replied. "And don't bother with calling me sir; save that for the floor."

Mattox led the way into his office. There was a round table with four chairs seated around it. Two plates were set out with neatly-cut medium-rare steaks, a sizeable portion of the aforementioned vegetables, and a slice of key lime pie. Two glasses (one empty, one filled) sat on the table as well, near a half-full pitcher of iced tea. Several pieces of paper, a number of sticky notes, and a few note cards were strewn across part of the table.

"Pardon the mess, I've not tidied up."

"No problem, it's nothing compared to my office at times." Rogers chuckled a bit, at ease with Mattox's declination of formality.

He squared himself up to the table, pulled out a chair, and took a seat.

"Quite the spread you've got here. Good lookin' steaks too."

[Meretica]

"I took the liberty of setting out a second plate; I figured that if you didn't come, there was a staffer that ought to be fed around here somewhere. Don't bother with the thanks, it was no issue, truly," Mattox replied. "And don't bother with calling me sir; save that for the floor."

Mattox led the way into his office. There was a round table with four chairs seated around it. Two plates were set out with neatly-cut medium-rare steaks, a sizeable portion of the aforementioned vegetables, and a slice of key lime pie. Two glasses (one empty, one filled) sat on the table as well, near a half-full pitcher of iced tea. Several pieces of paper, a number of sticky notes, and a few note cards were strewn across part of the table.

"Pardon the mess, I've not tidied up."

"No problem, it's nothing compared to my office at times." Rogers chuckled a bit, at ease with Mattox's declination of formality.

He squared himself up to the table, pulled out a chair, and took a seat.

"Quite the spread you've got here. Good lookin' steaks too."

"The wife taught me the recipe before she passed," Mattox said as her moved the notes into a semi-neat pile. Once he was satisfied, Mattox also sat. "Are you married?"

[Velahor]

"No problem, it's nothing compared to my office at times." Rogers chuckled a bit, at ease with Mattox's declination of formality.

He squared himself up to the table, pulled out a chair, and took a seat.

"Quite the spread you've got here. Good lookin' steaks too."

"The wife taught me the recipe before she passed," Mattox said as her moved the notes into a semi-neat pile. Once he was satisfied, Mattox also sat. "Are you married?"

"Happily! She's really a spectacular woman too...she was a banker for years until we had the twins, and she serves on the school board back in Bozeman."

Rogers looked back at the food.

"Wait, you made this yourself? Nice...I'm not much of a cook, but I grill a mean burger."

[Meretica]

"The wife taught me the recipe before she passed," Mattox said as her moved the notes into a semi-neat pile. Once he was satisfied, Mattox also sat. "Are you married?"

"Happily! She's really a spectacular woman too...she was a banker for years until we had the twins, and she serves on the school board back in Bozeman."

Rogers looked back at the food.

"Wait, you made this yourself? Nice...I'm not much of a cook, but I grill a mean burger."

"I don't cook many things, but I can rely on myself to cook a good steak," Mattox answered. "As for children, I was blessed with two sets of twins but unfortunately lost my second son early on. Henry, Isabella, Abigail, and the grandchildren more than make up for it, though."

[Velahor]

"Happily! She's really a spectacular woman too...she was a banker for years until we had the twins, and she serves on the school board back in Bozeman."

Rogers looked back at the food.

"Wait, you made this yourself? Nice...I'm not much of a cook, but I grill a mean burger."

"I don't cook many things, but I can rely on myself to cook a good steak," Mattox answered. "As for children, I was blessed with two sets of twins but unfortunately lost my second son early on. Henry, Isabella, Abigail, and the grandchildren more than make up for it, though."

"Hmmm...Henry...my wife likes the name Henry for if we have a second boy. I'm not sure I wanna have another kid yet, with me being across the country and all. My little ones are William IV and Ella."

William pulled out his phone, proud to show off his kids. He pulled up his Photos app. He showed a picture of his two six-year-old children on horseback, holding blue ribbons.

"Kate sent me this photo from earlier today...the twins both did good at the 4-H horse show at Winter Fair. It's the first year that they get to compete, and except for the cold weather, she said they had a really good time. I've thought about transferring them to school out here, but they really like growing up in Montana."

[New Cobastheia]

"It's not like you didn't have the chance, if I'd get a note from a member of the caucus about my own amendment I'd respond. And it's not like I was unamendable to my own amendment, I would've been happy to drop it and put up a new one with 2 going to my region and 2 going to yours. You had plenty of chances to let me know before it was put up for a vote, but you didn't... How come?"

Rogers took on a bit of a look of defeat as he relaxed his body in the chair.

"Uhhh...so really...I'm not sure. I think I was distracted thinking about MARKET. And I was a little nervous. I guess I've never had to do that before, telling the leaders that I'm not on board with their amendment. I just didn't know how to go about it and kinda froze."

He paused to drink a little coffee.

"It won't happen again though. You're the majority leader...if you want to hear from me ahead of time when I have a problem with what's on the agenda...it's my responsibility to make sure it happens."

"Good, if anyone in the caucus has a problem they should be able to come to me. And was it just nerves or was it the note Senator O'Halloran?"

[Velahor]

Rogers took on a bit of a look of defeat as he relaxed his body in the chair.

"Uhhh...so really...I'm not sure. I think I was distracted thinking about MARKET. And I was a little nervous. I guess I've never had to do that before, telling the leaders that I'm not on board with their amendment. I just didn't know how to go about it and kinda froze."

He paused to drink a little coffee.

"It won't happen again though. You're the majority leader...if you want to hear from me ahead of time when I have a problem with what's on the agenda...it's my responsibility to make sure it happens."

"Good, if anyone in the caucus has a problem they should be able to come to me. And was it just nerves or was it the note Senator O'Halloran?"

"I'd already made my mind up when Senator O'Halloran's note got to me."

Rogers paused and drank more coffee.

"It was Jack's note that got to me first. I had the apprehensions I mentioned before, and he kinda confirmed my feelings about the amendment."

[Lavan Tiri]

FROM: Senator Max O'Halloran (senator@ohalloran.senate.gov

TO: Senator William Rogers III (senator@rogers.senate.gov

Senator Rogers,

The Minority Leader would like to meet with you. Would tomorrow afternoon be a good option?

-Duncan Whitmore, Chief of Staff to Senator Max O'Halloran

[Velahor]

FROM: Senator Max O'Halloran (senator@ohalloran.senate.gov

TO: Senator William Rogers III (senator@rogers.senate.gov

Senator Rogers,

The Minority Leader would like to meet with you. Would tomorrow afternoon be a good option?

-Duncan Whitmore, Chief of Staff to Senator Max O'Halloran

William got the email on his cell phone in the evening just as he was getting in his pickup truck, after finishing his meetings with Hertzog and Mattox. At this rate, I'll have met every person in DC by the end of the month... he thought. He quickly typed his response.

To: Senator Max O'Halloran (senator@ohalloran.senate.gov
From: Senator William Rogers (william@rogers.house.gov)
Subject: RE: Meeting

---

Yes, that time works for me. Send the minority leader my regards.

Sincerely,

William Scott Rogers III
United States Senator from Montana

[New Cobastheia]

"Good, if anyone in the caucus has a problem they should be able to come to me. And was it just nerves or was it the note Senator O'Halloran?"

"I'd already made my mind up when Senator O'Halloran's note got to me."

Rogers paused and drank more coffee.

"It was Jack's note that got to me first. I had the apprehensions I mentioned before, and he kinda confirmed my feelings about the amendment."

Hertzog was a bit shocked at the mention of Jack's name, he obviously hadn't known that the new Senator from Iowa felt the need to Whip against his own amendment. Regardless, he hid it well. After calming take a sip from his mug he replied, "Well as long as you're vote was influenced by Jack instead of the leader of the Republicans in the Senate I don't see a problem there."

"Now, let's talk about MARKET. Tell me, why should I put it on the agenda?"

[Cybernetic Socialist Republics]

Serah Kurian

Representative for Wisconsin' 8th, Serah Kurian's D.C. Office

Serah Kurian wasn't particularly happy that the last meaningful vote she would cast before the announcement of her senate run would be deregulation in the meat industry. It wasn't that she opposed the law, she didn't, but that it wasn't likely to make winning the seat any easier. It was probable that (not-evers) would make a stink about it from the bully pulpit of the governorship about the efforts (their) administration would undertake to ensure safe food standards. But it was improbable that meat industry interests would spite them for delaying MARKET until after the election either. One positive would be that since this was over control of the senate, the meat industry could send some more PAC money republican senate nominee's way on the fear that a loss here would mean the death of the legislation in the Senate, assuming it had yet to pass. Another possible benefit was that it would signal to other interests that the republicans were committed to a timely and decisive red tape cutting agenda, which it's self could bring in money from other unrelated industries. But it was highly unlikely to lead to many benefits that could be felt the mass of Wisconsin voters by election day. Cutting red tape here was unlikely to create jobs, in fact it could even make some safety inspectors redundant. It was also unlikely to lower prices, either, particularly in the context of the soon to be inflationary economy brought about by the one thing the voters would feel that a republican nominee for special election could run on, the thousands of dollars in cash going out to families through the ARA.

Of course that wasn't the only thing, it camei with the ARA also came with a variety of benefits expansions, increased funding for states and local government, alongside infrastructure. All of which threatened to be inflationary, indeed, that was the only way any of this could work to lower unemployment. As that was an issue warped up in supply namely, the equilibrium price of labor had fallen below the price floor set by the minimum wage. Contrary to what leftists, liberals and unfortunately many of her 'conservative' colleagues seemed to believe, workers were not, to use a metaphor from physics 'spherical cows in a frictionless vacuum'. There were complexities, workers weren't, in the short run, at least, completely interchangeable. You didn't directly increase employment among those fired from all industries by commissioning repairs for bridges. Not directly, at least, you depended on increased demand for construction work to hire more people, or even force wages up due to restrained supply, then have those workers buy more more goods and services. Throwing more money at the same amount of goods so as to facilitate more hiring, in other words, increase inflation to increase employment. While inflation as policy certainly wasn't republican orthodoxy, it would eventually, drive employment up. Still, Serah thought, despite the tariff war the economy was still very dependent on Chinese imports, increases in demand and inflation would be happening large on behalf of the purchase of Chinese goods. Given current wage levels, regulations, rents derived from real estate and other costs of production, prices domestically and tariffs applied to Chinese goods would have to driven so high, for such a long period of time, to provoke local production in commit to large scale replacement of of Chinese goods, would make the costs of goods unrecognizable while directing economic development away from where, under the current regulatory environment and distribution of skills, America maintained a comparative advance.

Now it wasn't as though the ARA would come close to doing that or that Richardson had himself committed to that sort of fundamental change, he just had to get something out of Congress quickly to provide relief, even if that meant piling a bit more rubbish on top of the administrative state. It was certainly easier than trying to run on deregulating meat. What was needed was a way to increase employment without depending on inflation and to facilitate retraining to make the movement of workers a little closer to frictionless, while making the economy more competitive with china sooner, rather than later, as is inevitably the case with infrastructure or R&D proposals which by their nature must take years, decades even, to pay for themselves. Serah felt that she, in cooperation with her staffers and building on a legislative proposal that had seen bipartisan support in the past, had something toward those ends. Which was why it was a good thing that she was soon to up for a call with the president. The last time she had received any meaningful recognition from the President, was, allegedly months back when she was apparently on a not-so-short list of potential VP picks. She couldn't say for sure exactly why he was willing to now, but she suspected it likely had to do with getting to know the situation in Wisconsin more thoroughly in the run up to it's special election.

But before the special election, of course, there would be primary and one that would require her to run against two nationally recognized candidates, Christopher Duncan Jr. and Dan Gundersen, the latter, to her, being a greater concern to her than the former. Christopher Duncan had proven himself as inept or focused on a running a grift, with his ridiculous run for Wisconsin's 2nd. His first campaign ad, newly release, had multiple errors that could be exploited for her own purposes. He had a sizeable social media following, to draw small donations, volunteers and mentions, but so did she. But it was one that had foundations built from when Junior was still in university, from her days as a vocal opponent of the Occupy. It was likely that many of his current supporters were originally her supporters. Which was only one manifestation of the years of political experience she had over him. He was barely old enough to run for senate and had around a year and a half as a deputy communications officer, with only a few minor positions before that no doubt aided by being from a multi-millionaire family. She on the other hand had been involved in republican politics and in political offices for nearly 20 years, working her way up from state rep, to state senate to her current position, throughout, ingratiating herself with movers and shakers within the the Wisconsin Republican Party.

For that matter, she was the front woman for the Wisconsin Republican party's 'district management efforts 10 years ago that had just produced a large republican majority in the house and most impressively, around a super majority in the Senate on a slim popular vote victory in the state. As far as Kurian was concerned, there were plant of state representatives and senators that at least partially owed their seats to her efforts. At least some of them were sufficiently grateful for that. While money from the likes of Dan Gundersen won votes, it who those votes counted for that won seats. Dan Gundersen's advertisement was the typical fare for the veteran turned medium business owner turned politician, but was was notable that while is ad gestured to conservative friendly values, it did little to directly address conservative priorities. Everyone wanted good infrastructure, everyone wanted 'common sense', there wasn't even the slightest bit of red meat for the republican base. It wasn't as though it'd make sense to put out a manifesto, but he didn't give bother with any language about 'red tape' or 'fiscal responsibility'. There was also the fact that his campaign was framed as though he was running for an executive position or than one more member in a body of 100. All in all, it seemed as though he expected to cruise in on name recognition and good will alone.

Serah Kurian had a good idea of the type of race she'd run and it's theme, based on what she saw from both Christopher Duncan Jr. and Dan Gundersen's campaign so far and luckily, it wouldn't require much deviation from what she had planned from before her competition released their ads. She'd get to her call with the President, after which she'd officially launch her campaign through a tweet, followed soon after by her first campaign speech, then, it'd be off to the races.

But first, she waited at her desk for the appointed time for the presidential call.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Bryan Burgess
Washington, District of Columbia
Monday 8th February, 2021

He had resorted to prayer.

Anyone who walked in would certainly be baffled at the sight of the Press Secretary leaning over his desk, dripping holy water from a little bottle like the ones used for essential oils, into the pot for the plant that had been sent to spite him. Well, in spite of that, he was determined to bring about the resurrection.

He'd repotted it, he'd nourished the soil with different compounds (all of which had needed to be cleared with the Secret Service), he'd moved in around various parts of the office to give it more or less light. And in fairness, one day, he thought it had perked up a little, only to find that his direct underling had propped it up with a wooden skewer from the staff canteen to try to lift his spirits. Alas, no effort bore fruit in trying to bring this plant back from its early demise. Sighing after his latest labor, he slumped back into his chair with a groan and went to pick up his notes.

"Blah, blah, blah... President is delighted, so on, so forth, blah."

Well, it'd be show-time soon, that was for sure, but he picked himself up, going to intercept the Principal Deputy Press Secretary and moved to box him in between a rather spiky decorative plant and the wall, "We're not putting Leanne in as a surrogate on that show. No way. Pull her, and ask Zoey or Darnell. I want someone who can actually string a meaningful sentence together to represent the White House, not someone who made a political career out of being a doormat. Alright?"

With that little detail handled, he went to continue towards the Briefing Room, accepting a sip of water offered over by another deputy before trotting up to the podium with his usual warm and positive expression.

---

Daily Press Briefing

"Good morning everyone, great to have you all here. The President is, of course, deeply grateful for the strong bipartisan support shown for the Endless Frontier Act in the Senate and is confident that the House will be putting it on his desk sooner rather than later. And he's grateful to both Leader O'Halleran and Leader Hertzog for moving quickly on the American Recovery Act. There's a reception for the American National..."

"...And the President extends his deepest condolences to his wife, two daughters, and grandson. With that, that's all I have for you. Any questions?"

[Lavan Tiri]

FROM: Senator Max O'Halloran (senator@ohalloran.senate.gov

TO: Senator William Rogers III (senator@rogers.senate.gov

Senator Rogers,

The Minority Leader would like to meet with you. Would tomorrow afternoon be a good option?

-Duncan Whitmore, Chief of Staff to Senator Max O'Halloran

William got the email on his cell phone in the evening just as he was getting in his pickup truck, after finishing his meetings with Hertzog and Mattox. At this rate, I'll have met every person in DC by the end of the month... he thought. He quickly typed his response.

To: Senator Max O'Halloran (senator@ohalloran.senate.gov
From: Senator William Rogers (william@rogers.house.gov)
Subject: RE: Meeting

---

Yes, that time works for me. Send the minority leader my regards.

Sincerely,

William Scott Rogers III
United States Senator from Montana

Senator Max O'Halloran
The Next Day

Max waited in his office, at the table in the corner, a few bottles laid out along with a menu from his favorite steakhouse in D.C.--the one where he knew the owner, who in turn knew exactly how the Senator liked his steak.

"Emily, let me know when Rogers arrives, will you," Max shouted, scrolling through emails on his phone. He quickly shot one off to Bob Abernathy while he waited.

From: Senator Max O'Halloran
To: Chief of Staff Abernathy

Bob,

When we get the ARA passed I'd appreciate if the President and Vice President if possible would join me on a little victory lap tour. Let me know the answer.

-Max.

[Velahor]

William got the email on his cell phone in the evening just as he was getting in his pickup truck, after finishing his meetings with Hertzog and Mattox. At this rate, I'll have met every person in DC by the end of the month... he thought. He quickly typed his response.

To: Senator Max O'Halloran (senator@ohalloran.senate.gov
From: Senator William Rogers (william@rogers.house.gov)
Subject: RE: Meeting

---

Yes, that time works for me. Send the minority leader my regards.

Sincerely,

William Scott Rogers III
United States Senator from Montana

Senator Max O'Halloran
The Next Day

Max waited in his office, at the table in the corner, a few bottles laid out along with a menu from his favorite steakhouse in D.C.--the one where he knew the owner, who in turn knew exactly how the Senator liked his steak.

"Emily, let me know when Rogers arrives, will you," Max shouted, scrolling through emails on his phone. He quickly shot one off to Bob Abernathy while he waited.

William Rogers arrived at the office, wearing his best work suit, hoping to make a good impression.

[Lavan Tiri]

Senator Max O'Halloran
The Next Day

Max waited in his office, at the table in the corner, a few bottles laid out along with a menu from his favorite steakhouse in D.C.--the one where he knew the owner, who in turn knew exactly how the Senator liked his steak.

"Emily, let me know when Rogers arrives, will you," Max shouted, scrolling through emails on his phone. He quickly shot one off to Bob Abernathy while he waited.

William Rogers arrived at the office, wearing his best work suit, hoping to make a good impression.

Max's secretary Emily answered the door, smiling brightly. "Senator Rogers? The Minority Leader is waiting for you."

She gestured William into the inner office, unabashedly checking him out when he walked past her. Max rolled his eyes at her, stood shakily, and shuffled over to Rogers. "Hey, William--can I call you William?--how are ya? Sit, sit, let's get some lunch and drink and talk."

The old man sat down in his leather armchair, gesturing at the opposite one with a gnarled hand. "I know, ah, I'm probably not your usual conversation partner. But ever since I joined Leadership, I've tried to keep close to a few Democrats...Democrats who are, uh, well. On the right side of things, as much as you can be."

[Deblar]

Bryan Burgess
Washington, District of Columbia
Monday 8th February, 2021

"...And the President extends his deepest condolences to his wife, two daughters, and grandson. With that, that's all I have for you. Any questions?"

A reporter from MSNBC spoke up.

“There has recently been calls from Congress to put the Equality Act on the House Agenda, which as it stands currently isn’t. What are the thoughts of the White House?”

[Velahor]

"I'd already made my mind up when Senator O'Halloran's note got to me."

Rogers paused and drank more coffee.

"It was Jack's note that got to me first. I had the apprehensions I mentioned before, and he kinda confirmed my feelings about the amendment."

Hertzog was a bit shocked at the mention of Jack's name, he obviously hadn't known that the new Senator from Iowa felt the need to Whip against his own amendment. Regardless, he hid it well. After calming take a sip from his mug he replied, "Well as long as you're vote was influenced by Jack instead of the leader of the Republicans in the Senate I don't see a problem there."

"Now, let's talk about MARKET. Tell me, why should I put it on the agenda?"

Rogers thought for a second about just how he would pitch this, taking another drink of coffee to cover the silence.

"It's a good reform. The way I've always seen it, the Democratic Party should stand with small farmers over big meatpackers, the same as it stands with unions against big business. I'll give you an example from my own constituency. The Montana Stockgrower's Association, which is the state association for cattle ranchers, supports MARKET. The NCBA, which is mostly funded by the big-four packing corporations, doesn't support MARKET."

"Now...I have other bill ideas on the backburner that both the little guys and the big guys in the ag industry like. After MARKET gets through the Senate, I'll be proposing those. I'm not trying to burn bridges, but as someone who literally grew up surrounded by ag industry insiders, I can definitely attest that meatpacking in America is practically a monopoly in effect."

"I think this has been construed as a Republican deregulation bill by people who don't understand just how necessary MARKET is to fixing a skewed industry, and don't understand how safe food inspected by the states actually is. This is a bill with Democratic values of valuing small farmers and workers over big corporations, and preventing monopolies and consolidated industry from dominating the marketplace."

"Even if you don't agree with the bill itself, I'd like for you to see how I believe that MARKET is in the spirit of what our party is all about."