S1E20 · Mandatory Minimums

Complete story — includes the ending

During a speech at an awards dinner, President Bartlet announces his nomination of one Democrat and one Republican, each known to favor reforms, to fill two vacant seats on the Federal Election Commission. A powerful Republican senator wages battle with the West Wing staff. Leo cautions the senior staffers not to make mistakes this week, and C.J. tells Mandy that Leo prefers that Mandy stay out of his way due to her involvement in the leaked memo, while she continues to undercut Danny Concannon for his having reported on Mandy's opposition research memo last week. Leo arranges for Toby and his ex-wife, Andrea "Andy" Wyatt, a member of the House of Representatives, to meet and discuss legislative matters, and the two eventually reach an agreement against minimum sentencing for drug users. Al Kiefer, Joey Lucas, and Kenny arrive from California to help with the confirmation of the nominees. Josh and Toby tell Sam that his relationship with Laurie has become known to one of his political enemies. The senior staff confer with the President in his bedroom at midnight with positive and constructive results; he firmly tells them that any unofficial boycotts of either Danny or Mandy are finished, and says they all did very well in their jobs today.