Rossiter

ideologically rigid defiant cynical unyielding

Rossiter, Democrat on the congressional appropriations subcommittee overseeing Justice and Commerce budgets, spearheads opposition to $30 million in funding for the administration's tobacco lawsuit. Free of tobacco industry ties unlike chairman Kalmbach, his ideological objections—branding smokers too foolish for legal protection—fuel a defiant no-vote amid eight holdouts in an 8-7 deadlock. Direct clashes with Josh Lyman erupt in conference-room fury, his scorn amplifying gridlock that stalls White House anti-tobacco momentum and exposes lawmakers' hardened convictions over public health imperatives.

5 appearances

Rossiter's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

5 moments

S2E21 · 18th and Potomac

Josh Presses Ritter on Tobacco Funding Amid Haitian Absurdity

Contemptuous skepticism (inferred)

Named alongside Warren by Ritter as key Democrat defector in 8-7 committee vote against tobacco bill, rooted in ideological disdain rather than regional tobacco ties.

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S2E21 · 18th and Potomac

Josh's Fiery Clash with Congressmen Over Tobacco Obstruction

Dismissive scorn laced with moral superiority

Rossiter denies state tobacco production or personal contributions, dismisses smoker claims as ridiculous given decades of Surgeon General warnings and labels, bluntly calls them too stupid for court protection, and …

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S2E21 · 18th and Potomac

Senior Staff Urgently Aligns for MS Strategy Meeting

Defiant restraint

Referenced by Josh as voting against tobacco case due to ideological issues and sitting on Judiciary Committee, complicating aggression.

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S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

C.J. Delegates Air Force One Press Seating to Carol

mentioned as one of eight subcommittee members opposing Justice Department funding, no tobacco ties

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S2E22 · Two Cathedrals

Josh Pitches Fiery Tobacco Release; CJ Shelves It for Haiti, Both Note Bartlet's Absence

Scornful toward lawsuit protections

Rossiter highlighted as second ideological Democrat blocking funding, amplifying partisan 8-7 deadlock in Josh's rundown.

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Affiliation

Senate Appropriations Committee