S2E6 · The Lame Duck Congress

Complete story — includes the ending

An announcement by a senator makes it appear that the administration will likely have no chance of a favorable vote on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the next session of the Senate, so Josh, Sam, and Toby urge President Bartlet to call a lame-duck session that will get the 12 Democratic senators who were voted out a chance to pass the treaty. C.J. intentionally leaks to Danny that the President has begun to consider that possibility. A Ukrainian politician, who is both pro-U.S. and a raging alcoholic, arrives at the White House and demands to speak with the President; Josh meets him and a companion and deals with them. Ainsley goes with Sam to Capitol Hill for meetings. Sam asks Ainsley to summarize a 22-page position paper; she does so and more. Toby meets with a lame-duck Senator from Pennsylvania who explains to a surprised Toby why he will not go against the wishes of his home state's voters. Leo arranges for the President to speak briefly with the foreign politician. The President decides not to call a special session.