The iCongressman, page 13
part #2 of The Michael Bennit Series Series
Vince stares at Blake with one of those looks you see in mob movies right before someone gets whacked. While I’m pretty sure the Orsini family doesn’t have any real organized crime connections, he is Italian through and through. Of course, Blake is too, so this could turn into an episode of The Sopranos real quick.
“What is it, Vince? What’s wrong?”
“Speaker Albright just announced a press conference.”
-TWENTY-FIVE-
SPEAKER ALBRIGHT
Three press rooms serve the House of Representatives for members of the media who report on Congress. These “galleries” are controlled by a committee of journalists who qualify for press credentials to cover various media events. For this particular announcement, I cashed in a couple of favors to get every media organization who wanted to attend approved. For that reason, this room is packed full.
I stand in front of the lectern with the seal of the United States House of Representatives on it and against a light oak backdrop that features panels comprising the Capitol dome in the foreground against a translucent American Flag. To my right stands Harvey Stepanik, the majority whip, and several senior Republican members of the Ethics Committee.
Since this is a bipartisan effort, House Minority Leader Dennis Merrick joins us on the left along with the minority whip and his contingent from the committee. I get a nod from one of my press assistants who is liaising with the correspondents to get the timing right since this will be broadcast live.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” I say in greeting before going on to introduce the others on the dais. That completed, I get into the heart of the matter. “I’m here to announce today that the House Ethics Committee will hold a formal hearing on alleged violations by Representative Michael Bennit.”
There is a chorus of sharp inhales from the media in the room, the looks of shock on their face betraying their usual stoic demeanors. I’m caught off guard by their reactions because I know this was already leaked to the media. Hell, I leaked it. Ethics violations aren’t exactly an uncommon occurrence here. This is the U.S. House of Representatives, after all, and when reporting scandals ranging from sexting to piles of cash hidden in a freezer, it takes a lot to rile this brackish group.
“An eight-member bipartisan adjudicatory subcommittee convened several weeks ago and issued a document yesterday concluding allegations against Mister Bennit are supported by clear and convincing evidence. The violations in question include: maintaining an improper relationship with a lobbyist, inappropriate acceptance and misuse of campaign funds, accepting money for influence, and accepting a bribe.”
The initial display of shock among the correspondents in the room is replaced by more cynical looks and gestures as I read the charges. Bennit may not be the media darling he once was, but he’s still well regarded among journalists in the jaded House press corps. They may be tepid about running with this story, but their editors won’t be. A scandal with Michael Bennit’s name attached to it is ratings and circulation gold that no news organization will choose to ignore.
“A formal hearing will be held prior to the August recess. As we have had only one other hearing of this nature since 2002, I will make the formal process available through my office. I will say that it will involve a trial-like session involving formal charges with lawyers for the House acting as prosecutors and Bennit’s lawyers, should he choose to employ any, defending him. I will now take your questions.”
The room explodes in a cacophony of shouted queries from the floor. I wasn’t expecting this reaction. The press in the Capitol Building is usually far more muted and less hostile in their questioning. Normal business aside, even scandals are not typically met with this brazen response.
I answer the first few questions deftly and even defer to the minority leader who seizes the opportunity to prattle on about the imperative to clean up corruption and abuse in the House. My intent was not to turn this into a partisan battle, so I take the reins of leadership back on this lynch mob for the last few questions.
“Mister Speaker, there is an allegation making the rounds on social media that claims these charges were fabricated in an attempt to discredit Michael Bennit ahead of the November election. Can you comment on that?”
Where the hell did that come from? I have had my staff monitoring social media sites for a few days now and heard nothing. I am not happy that I’ve been blindsided by this question, and I can only hope it doesn’t show.
“I cannot comment since I have not seen any such allegation, but―”
“The story was broke by a small political blog and is a trending article on sites like Reddit and Digg, Mister Speaker. It claims that Republicans and Democrats are in league to expel Representative Bennit. It further states that all of the evidence you previously mentioned was fabricated to that end.”
“Thank you for the recap. Is there a question in there?”
“Yes, sir. Are you stating that these reports are untrue?”
Crap. I take a sip of water from the glass on the shelf of the podium to buy time. I was handed this evidence by the head of the most powerful lobby in Washington. I have no idea how he got it, and can safely assume he’s covered his tracks on it. But what if he didn’t? Honesty is never the best policy in American politics, but I don’t want to get caught in a lie either. I need to find a way to deflect this and get out of here.
“The subcommittee found no reason to question the validity or authenticity of the evidence. The accused is a social media guru, and I’m sure he’ll put forth several defenses in light of these accusations all over his Facebook page,” I say in a mocking tone. “However, these serious allegations are not going to be tried on the Internet or in the court of public opinion. Mister Bennit will be afforded every opportunity to explain his actions at the committee hearing. Social media will play no role in our decision. Thank you for your time today,” I finish, ending the news conference.
My attempt at a clean getaway was anything but smooth. The press in the room shouted question after question, many of them pretty good ones. What was supposed to be a bombshell about the illegal activities of Michael Bennit has started to turn into a conspiracy over who is framing him.
Bennit has this uncanny ability to enchant the media in a way few others can. Even after they realized he used them as pawns in his race against Beaumont, they are still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I understand why, since even I got caught up in Bennitmania when it was all the country was talking about. I guess that’s what my colleagues fear most about him.
Personally, I think we are only making the situation worse. Michael Bennit is going to lose in November anyway, and probably lose big. Going after him may only reinvigorate his bastion of social media followers. If that somehow happens, then we may actually have a real problem.
Unfortunately, it’s out of my hands. I can fight this, but too many people want it to happen now. Money, politics, and power are the engine of this town, and if I want to keep my seat at the table, I have to play my role. I may be third in line for the presidency and set the agenda for one of the two bodies in the legislative branch, but right now I feel I have no power at all. In that way, I’m not unlike poor Michael Bennit.
-TWENTY-SIX-
MICHAEL
Thomas Parker’s workspace is on the second floor of the marble monster that is the Rayburn House Office Building. Next door to my modest digs in the Cannon Building, it is the newest and biggest of the three structures that provide office space and hearing rooms for all four hundred thirty-five representatives elected to the House.
Parker is a political veteran of the House, and ironically one of the fifty Republican districts we targeted for a run by an icandidate. As a senior member, he gets a really nice office, and I can’t help but be impressed just walking in. Just one room in this suite measures twenty-five by forty feet, under a ceiling that has to be twenty feet high.
I get an assortment of strange looks as I walk past his staff and am shown into his impressive inner office. Now I know what lepers must have felt like in the Middle Ages. The mood changes when I see the large man’s face light up when I enter.
“Mister Bennit!” he says in an enthusiastic greeting I’m not prepared for.
“Mister Parker, good to see you again.”
“What brings you to the Rayburn Building?”
“You do. Or more specifically, your niece does,” I say, assuaging his concerns that this might actually be a social call from the most radioactive politician in town.
“You investigated?”
“Not exactly,” I say, getting the anticipated look of chagrin from the man in front of me. “I went up and paid a visit to the adjutant general.”
“I have to admit that’s much more than I expected. How did it go?”
“I threatened him, he patronized me, you know the drill. In the end, he realized helping a young sergeant was in his best interests on several levels. To make a long story short, I received a call from him an hour ago. He took care of the situation.”
“Michael, I can’t thank you enough. Really, I owe you one for this.” The seriousness of his voice makes me perk up.
“No you don’t. It was my pleasure to help,” is all I say to see just what he’s implying.
“Michael, you did me a favor when you had no business having to. I don’t forget things like that. In this town, favors like this mean a lot, and I trust you will find a way for me to repay it.”
He’s right, that’s exactly how this town works. Favors are the oil that keeps the machine working, as dysfunctional as it is. I have never participated in the experience, given my black sheep status.
“Congressman, I appreciate what you’re trying to say to me, but there is no quid pro quo here. I didn’t do this for a political advantage. I did it because a young soldier was being victimized by a failure to adhere to process, nothing more. When I tell you it was my honor to help, and that you don’t owe me anything, I mean it.”
“You’re a rare breed in this town, Michael. Honor and integrity are not traits you see around here often.”
“According to your colleagues, you don’t see them in me either,” I say with laugh. “I have a staff meeting to get to. Please send your niece my regards and please let me know if General Reinert doesn’t follow through on his promise.”
* * *
The walk back to the Cannon building is a short one, and after spending a couple of moments chatting with some junior staffers in the outer office, I walk into my sanctuary to find Chelsea, Vince, Vanessa, and Kylie waiting for me. To my surprise, Blake is also with them. I can only wonder how he survived this long in a room with Chelsea in it.
“So, what’s the word?” I ask, stopping to give Kylie a kiss.
“The committee said it will meet before the August recess to make a determination on the allegations and recommend appropriate sanctions.”
“Memorized that, did ya, Vanessa?” I ask, eliciting a smile from my one-time pupil.
“They’re trying to bring a quick end to this before they all flee town and have to answer questions,” Chelsea concludes.
“And it’ll work. After a few days of coverage, the media will refocus on the conventions and the race for president,” Kylie adds.
“Well, we hoped they would ask the tough questions following the Speaker’s press conference and that didn’t happen, so we shouldn’t be shocked about any lasting coverage.”
“It’s still a two-party town, love. Until that changes, the Dems and the GOP will hold sway over the mainstream media. Information is the lifeblood of news organizations and they control the flow. Doubly so during the rare times they agree on something.”
“Like getting rid of me,” I say with a shake of my head. The others nod. “So why are you here, Blake?”
“Funny, I’ve been asking the same thing,” Chelsea mumbles, with no attempt to hide her annoyance at his presence.
“The senator asked me to act as a liaison between you and her. She wanted me to bring you up to speed with where we are in the planning.”
“Do we really need her to help with this?” Chelsea asks.
“She’s right, Congressman. It’s not like we haven’t done this before,” Vanessa says, picking up the argument.
“Successfully,” Vince chimes in with a sideways glance at Blake. That dagger went right between the ribs.
“You can’t do this without her,” Blake says in defense. Unfortunately, he’s right.
“Wanna bet?”
“Vince, as much as it pains me to say so, Blake is right,” I interject. “We may have done this before, but not on a national scale. We don’t have the ability to pull it off in such a short time frame without help.”
“Our information tech guys say everything is ready to go for each of the one hundred candidates.”
“Vanessa, can you coordinate with them to have Brian take a look at their work?”
“That’s not going to be necessary, Congressman,” Blake says, a little too quickly and defensively for my tastes. “Senator Viano says we have it handled.”
“And I really don’t give a damn what she says, Blake. Brian is my IT guy and has a group of people I will put up against the best the senator can hire any day. If I say he’s to be involved, it’s not a matter open for discussion.”
“I will relay that to the senator, but she’s not sold that volunteers can get this done. For the record, I disagree with that assessment based on firsthand experience.”
Vince, Kylie, and Vanessa all smile weakly at the props he showed our once fledgling campaign. Blake will never be the most liked guy in the room, but I actually think over time my little staff will warm to the idea of having him around. All except maybe Chelsea.
“Nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” I tell him. “And trust me, there are plenty of others throughout this country who are looking to be the next Chelsea, Vince, and Vanessa for an icandidate. It will all be for nothing if we don’t survive this hearing in two weeks, though. With that said, Blake, could you please excuse us. I need to talk to my staff about prepping for my impending firing squad.”
-TWENTY-SEVEN-
CHELSEA
Anybody who got lost and stumbled into Room 2129 of the Rayburn Building would instantly know something momentous and important was happening. In this case, it is the Ethics Committee hearing on the charges leveled against Congressman Michael Bennit.
When the chairman gaveled the meeting to order at ten o’clock this morning, it was already standing room only. In a rare spectacle, every committee member was present and seated in this cavernous room at four long, stepped rows, measuring fifty feet from one side to another. The mahogany work surfaces are curved slightly, creating an arc around the focal point of a single table where the person being questioned is seated.
None of these members’ staff is in view, but they are never far away. In Congress, we tend to disappear from public view when cameras are around, and in this particular hearing, there are dozens of them to record every moment of testimony from each witness.
Mister Bennit is not present for the parade of individuals being called to testify. I am left with Vince and Vanessa to watch and report how things are unfolding. As it stands right now, the congressman will be the last to testify and the only person to speak in his defense. As one might predict from a hard-nosed Green Beret, he opted not to hire an attorney.
We listen to the lobbyist tell his tale, admitting no fault in the process. He was simply making a requested contribution to a campaign fund. He would never believe it would be inappropriately handled. Yeah right.
Chairmen of House committees wield considerable power. Hearings are usually a forum for testing ideas against reality, or providing experts and interests affected by proposed legislation a chance to provide their input. Most of those proceedings are orchestrated, or even scripted, by the staff of senior members. This isn’t turning out to be any different.
After a break for lunch, a photographic expert is called in to verify the authenticity of the pictures and dispel any notion that the images were altered. I am sure the pictures are authentic, and pay scant attention until the last person before the congressman is summoned to testify.
I let out an audible gasp when the final witness called is Congressman Reyes. I already know he is about to perjure himself when he raises his right hand and repeats the oath being read to him. He takes his seat at the table and the final act of this drama begins to play out.
For the next fifteen minutes, he proceeds to claim Michael Bennit took him into his confidence about a scheme he devised to earmark money for personal use since he knew he would not be reelected. He went on to claim, laughably, that the congressional salary was not enough to cover his expenses and that he needed some cash.
The questions being asked are softballs, and not a single representative on the committee is asking for details or proof to substantiate the allegations. The entire proceeding is scripted, and each of Reyes’s answers well prepared in advance.
“Congressman, your testimony here has been invaluable in substantiating all the evidence presented before it. I commend you on your honesty, and the courage you show by appearing in front of this committee today,” the chairman says. “I know this must have been difficult considering you and Mister Bennit were close friends.”
“Yes, we were, and this has been very difficult for me to do. However, I believe that if we are to rid the country of the corruption that plagues our government, we have to go to great lengths to publically expose it. The men and women Americans entrust with the reins of leadership should be of impeccable character and of the highest moral order. To root out the ones who aren’t, we have to put them on display for the entire country to see. I believe this is the best way to accomplish that.”
I feel like my insides have been ripped out. I have been afraid to message the congressman with this because betrayal of this magnitude is going to destroy him. Mister B is fiercely loyal to those around him, and Congressman Reyes is his closest friend and ally in Washington. I just never saw this coming.
“What is it, Vince? What’s wrong?”
“Speaker Albright just announced a press conference.”
-TWENTY-FIVE-
SPEAKER ALBRIGHT
Three press rooms serve the House of Representatives for members of the media who report on Congress. These “galleries” are controlled by a committee of journalists who qualify for press credentials to cover various media events. For this particular announcement, I cashed in a couple of favors to get every media organization who wanted to attend approved. For that reason, this room is packed full.
I stand in front of the lectern with the seal of the United States House of Representatives on it and against a light oak backdrop that features panels comprising the Capitol dome in the foreground against a translucent American Flag. To my right stands Harvey Stepanik, the majority whip, and several senior Republican members of the Ethics Committee.
Since this is a bipartisan effort, House Minority Leader Dennis Merrick joins us on the left along with the minority whip and his contingent from the committee. I get a nod from one of my press assistants who is liaising with the correspondents to get the timing right since this will be broadcast live.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” I say in greeting before going on to introduce the others on the dais. That completed, I get into the heart of the matter. “I’m here to announce today that the House Ethics Committee will hold a formal hearing on alleged violations by Representative Michael Bennit.”
There is a chorus of sharp inhales from the media in the room, the looks of shock on their face betraying their usual stoic demeanors. I’m caught off guard by their reactions because I know this was already leaked to the media. Hell, I leaked it. Ethics violations aren’t exactly an uncommon occurrence here. This is the U.S. House of Representatives, after all, and when reporting scandals ranging from sexting to piles of cash hidden in a freezer, it takes a lot to rile this brackish group.
“An eight-member bipartisan adjudicatory subcommittee convened several weeks ago and issued a document yesterday concluding allegations against Mister Bennit are supported by clear and convincing evidence. The violations in question include: maintaining an improper relationship with a lobbyist, inappropriate acceptance and misuse of campaign funds, accepting money for influence, and accepting a bribe.”
The initial display of shock among the correspondents in the room is replaced by more cynical looks and gestures as I read the charges. Bennit may not be the media darling he once was, but he’s still well regarded among journalists in the jaded House press corps. They may be tepid about running with this story, but their editors won’t be. A scandal with Michael Bennit’s name attached to it is ratings and circulation gold that no news organization will choose to ignore.
“A formal hearing will be held prior to the August recess. As we have had only one other hearing of this nature since 2002, I will make the formal process available through my office. I will say that it will involve a trial-like session involving formal charges with lawyers for the House acting as prosecutors and Bennit’s lawyers, should he choose to employ any, defending him. I will now take your questions.”
The room explodes in a cacophony of shouted queries from the floor. I wasn’t expecting this reaction. The press in the Capitol Building is usually far more muted and less hostile in their questioning. Normal business aside, even scandals are not typically met with this brazen response.
I answer the first few questions deftly and even defer to the minority leader who seizes the opportunity to prattle on about the imperative to clean up corruption and abuse in the House. My intent was not to turn this into a partisan battle, so I take the reins of leadership back on this lynch mob for the last few questions.
“Mister Speaker, there is an allegation making the rounds on social media that claims these charges were fabricated in an attempt to discredit Michael Bennit ahead of the November election. Can you comment on that?”
Where the hell did that come from? I have had my staff monitoring social media sites for a few days now and heard nothing. I am not happy that I’ve been blindsided by this question, and I can only hope it doesn’t show.
“I cannot comment since I have not seen any such allegation, but―”
“The story was broke by a small political blog and is a trending article on sites like Reddit and Digg, Mister Speaker. It claims that Republicans and Democrats are in league to expel Representative Bennit. It further states that all of the evidence you previously mentioned was fabricated to that end.”
“Thank you for the recap. Is there a question in there?”
“Yes, sir. Are you stating that these reports are untrue?”
Crap. I take a sip of water from the glass on the shelf of the podium to buy time. I was handed this evidence by the head of the most powerful lobby in Washington. I have no idea how he got it, and can safely assume he’s covered his tracks on it. But what if he didn’t? Honesty is never the best policy in American politics, but I don’t want to get caught in a lie either. I need to find a way to deflect this and get out of here.
“The subcommittee found no reason to question the validity or authenticity of the evidence. The accused is a social media guru, and I’m sure he’ll put forth several defenses in light of these accusations all over his Facebook page,” I say in a mocking tone. “However, these serious allegations are not going to be tried on the Internet or in the court of public opinion. Mister Bennit will be afforded every opportunity to explain his actions at the committee hearing. Social media will play no role in our decision. Thank you for your time today,” I finish, ending the news conference.
My attempt at a clean getaway was anything but smooth. The press in the room shouted question after question, many of them pretty good ones. What was supposed to be a bombshell about the illegal activities of Michael Bennit has started to turn into a conspiracy over who is framing him.
Bennit has this uncanny ability to enchant the media in a way few others can. Even after they realized he used them as pawns in his race against Beaumont, they are still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I understand why, since even I got caught up in Bennitmania when it was all the country was talking about. I guess that’s what my colleagues fear most about him.
Personally, I think we are only making the situation worse. Michael Bennit is going to lose in November anyway, and probably lose big. Going after him may only reinvigorate his bastion of social media followers. If that somehow happens, then we may actually have a real problem.
Unfortunately, it’s out of my hands. I can fight this, but too many people want it to happen now. Money, politics, and power are the engine of this town, and if I want to keep my seat at the table, I have to play my role. I may be third in line for the presidency and set the agenda for one of the two bodies in the legislative branch, but right now I feel I have no power at all. In that way, I’m not unlike poor Michael Bennit.
-TWENTY-SIX-
MICHAEL
Thomas Parker’s workspace is on the second floor of the marble monster that is the Rayburn House Office Building. Next door to my modest digs in the Cannon Building, it is the newest and biggest of the three structures that provide office space and hearing rooms for all four hundred thirty-five representatives elected to the House.
Parker is a political veteran of the House, and ironically one of the fifty Republican districts we targeted for a run by an icandidate. As a senior member, he gets a really nice office, and I can’t help but be impressed just walking in. Just one room in this suite measures twenty-five by forty feet, under a ceiling that has to be twenty feet high.
I get an assortment of strange looks as I walk past his staff and am shown into his impressive inner office. Now I know what lepers must have felt like in the Middle Ages. The mood changes when I see the large man’s face light up when I enter.
“Mister Bennit!” he says in an enthusiastic greeting I’m not prepared for.
“Mister Parker, good to see you again.”
“What brings you to the Rayburn Building?”
“You do. Or more specifically, your niece does,” I say, assuaging his concerns that this might actually be a social call from the most radioactive politician in town.
“You investigated?”
“Not exactly,” I say, getting the anticipated look of chagrin from the man in front of me. “I went up and paid a visit to the adjutant general.”
“I have to admit that’s much more than I expected. How did it go?”
“I threatened him, he patronized me, you know the drill. In the end, he realized helping a young sergeant was in his best interests on several levels. To make a long story short, I received a call from him an hour ago. He took care of the situation.”
“Michael, I can’t thank you enough. Really, I owe you one for this.” The seriousness of his voice makes me perk up.
“No you don’t. It was my pleasure to help,” is all I say to see just what he’s implying.
“Michael, you did me a favor when you had no business having to. I don’t forget things like that. In this town, favors like this mean a lot, and I trust you will find a way for me to repay it.”
He’s right, that’s exactly how this town works. Favors are the oil that keeps the machine working, as dysfunctional as it is. I have never participated in the experience, given my black sheep status.
“Congressman, I appreciate what you’re trying to say to me, but there is no quid pro quo here. I didn’t do this for a political advantage. I did it because a young soldier was being victimized by a failure to adhere to process, nothing more. When I tell you it was my honor to help, and that you don’t owe me anything, I mean it.”
“You’re a rare breed in this town, Michael. Honor and integrity are not traits you see around here often.”
“According to your colleagues, you don’t see them in me either,” I say with laugh. “I have a staff meeting to get to. Please send your niece my regards and please let me know if General Reinert doesn’t follow through on his promise.”
* * *
The walk back to the Cannon building is a short one, and after spending a couple of moments chatting with some junior staffers in the outer office, I walk into my sanctuary to find Chelsea, Vince, Vanessa, and Kylie waiting for me. To my surprise, Blake is also with them. I can only wonder how he survived this long in a room with Chelsea in it.
“So, what’s the word?” I ask, stopping to give Kylie a kiss.
“The committee said it will meet before the August recess to make a determination on the allegations and recommend appropriate sanctions.”
“Memorized that, did ya, Vanessa?” I ask, eliciting a smile from my one-time pupil.
“They’re trying to bring a quick end to this before they all flee town and have to answer questions,” Chelsea concludes.
“And it’ll work. After a few days of coverage, the media will refocus on the conventions and the race for president,” Kylie adds.
“Well, we hoped they would ask the tough questions following the Speaker’s press conference and that didn’t happen, so we shouldn’t be shocked about any lasting coverage.”
“It’s still a two-party town, love. Until that changes, the Dems and the GOP will hold sway over the mainstream media. Information is the lifeblood of news organizations and they control the flow. Doubly so during the rare times they agree on something.”
“Like getting rid of me,” I say with a shake of my head. The others nod. “So why are you here, Blake?”
“Funny, I’ve been asking the same thing,” Chelsea mumbles, with no attempt to hide her annoyance at his presence.
“The senator asked me to act as a liaison between you and her. She wanted me to bring you up to speed with where we are in the planning.”
“Do we really need her to help with this?” Chelsea asks.
“She’s right, Congressman. It’s not like we haven’t done this before,” Vanessa says, picking up the argument.
“Successfully,” Vince chimes in with a sideways glance at Blake. That dagger went right between the ribs.
“You can’t do this without her,” Blake says in defense. Unfortunately, he’s right.
“Wanna bet?”
“Vince, as much as it pains me to say so, Blake is right,” I interject. “We may have done this before, but not on a national scale. We don’t have the ability to pull it off in such a short time frame without help.”
“Our information tech guys say everything is ready to go for each of the one hundred candidates.”
“Vanessa, can you coordinate with them to have Brian take a look at their work?”
“That’s not going to be necessary, Congressman,” Blake says, a little too quickly and defensively for my tastes. “Senator Viano says we have it handled.”
“And I really don’t give a damn what she says, Blake. Brian is my IT guy and has a group of people I will put up against the best the senator can hire any day. If I say he’s to be involved, it’s not a matter open for discussion.”
“I will relay that to the senator, but she’s not sold that volunteers can get this done. For the record, I disagree with that assessment based on firsthand experience.”
Vince, Kylie, and Vanessa all smile weakly at the props he showed our once fledgling campaign. Blake will never be the most liked guy in the room, but I actually think over time my little staff will warm to the idea of having him around. All except maybe Chelsea.
“Nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” I tell him. “And trust me, there are plenty of others throughout this country who are looking to be the next Chelsea, Vince, and Vanessa for an icandidate. It will all be for nothing if we don’t survive this hearing in two weeks, though. With that said, Blake, could you please excuse us. I need to talk to my staff about prepping for my impending firing squad.”
-TWENTY-SEVEN-
CHELSEA
Anybody who got lost and stumbled into Room 2129 of the Rayburn Building would instantly know something momentous and important was happening. In this case, it is the Ethics Committee hearing on the charges leveled against Congressman Michael Bennit.
When the chairman gaveled the meeting to order at ten o’clock this morning, it was already standing room only. In a rare spectacle, every committee member was present and seated in this cavernous room at four long, stepped rows, measuring fifty feet from one side to another. The mahogany work surfaces are curved slightly, creating an arc around the focal point of a single table where the person being questioned is seated.
None of these members’ staff is in view, but they are never far away. In Congress, we tend to disappear from public view when cameras are around, and in this particular hearing, there are dozens of them to record every moment of testimony from each witness.
Mister Bennit is not present for the parade of individuals being called to testify. I am left with Vince and Vanessa to watch and report how things are unfolding. As it stands right now, the congressman will be the last to testify and the only person to speak in his defense. As one might predict from a hard-nosed Green Beret, he opted not to hire an attorney.
We listen to the lobbyist tell his tale, admitting no fault in the process. He was simply making a requested contribution to a campaign fund. He would never believe it would be inappropriately handled. Yeah right.
Chairmen of House committees wield considerable power. Hearings are usually a forum for testing ideas against reality, or providing experts and interests affected by proposed legislation a chance to provide their input. Most of those proceedings are orchestrated, or even scripted, by the staff of senior members. This isn’t turning out to be any different.
After a break for lunch, a photographic expert is called in to verify the authenticity of the pictures and dispel any notion that the images were altered. I am sure the pictures are authentic, and pay scant attention until the last person before the congressman is summoned to testify.
I let out an audible gasp when the final witness called is Congressman Reyes. I already know he is about to perjure himself when he raises his right hand and repeats the oath being read to him. He takes his seat at the table and the final act of this drama begins to play out.
For the next fifteen minutes, he proceeds to claim Michael Bennit took him into his confidence about a scheme he devised to earmark money for personal use since he knew he would not be reelected. He went on to claim, laughably, that the congressional salary was not enough to cover his expenses and that he needed some cash.
The questions being asked are softballs, and not a single representative on the committee is asking for details or proof to substantiate the allegations. The entire proceeding is scripted, and each of Reyes’s answers well prepared in advance.
“Congressman, your testimony here has been invaluable in substantiating all the evidence presented before it. I commend you on your honesty, and the courage you show by appearing in front of this committee today,” the chairman says. “I know this must have been difficult considering you and Mister Bennit were close friends.”
“Yes, we were, and this has been very difficult for me to do. However, I believe that if we are to rid the country of the corruption that plagues our government, we have to go to great lengths to publically expose it. The men and women Americans entrust with the reins of leadership should be of impeccable character and of the highest moral order. To root out the ones who aren’t, we have to put them on display for the entire country to see. I believe this is the best way to accomplish that.”
I feel like my insides have been ripped out. I have been afraid to message the congressman with this because betrayal of this magnitude is going to destroy him. Mister B is fiercely loyal to those around him, and Congressman Reyes is his closest friend and ally in Washington. I just never saw this coming.
