Speaker Orders Reading of Bartlet's Historic Censure Resolution
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
The Speaker of the House formally reads the censure resolution condemning Bartlet's 'deceitful and dishonest conduct' as the scene fades to black.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Not directly observed
Referenced by Leo as source of Jackson 1834 censure intel, underscoring historical precedent in Oval debate.
- • Provide accurate historical research
- • Precedents inform current political risks
Stoic detachment embodying ritual gravity
Off-screen, intones full text of H. Con. Res. 172 with measured procedural precision, proclaiming Bartlet's deceitful MS concealment as contrary to trust, injuring justice and nation—climactic hammer fall post-Oval resolve.
- • Accurately deliver congressional condemnation verbatim
- • Amplify institutional judgment through public reading
- • Procedural reading legitimizes Congress's rebuke
- • Presidential actions merit formal censure for public harm
Not directly observed
Referenced by Bartlet as consulted Minority Leader in strategic huddle before signing on.
- • Balance Democratic interests in censure
- • Alliances mitigate House fallout
Not directly observed
Invoked by Leo via Josh as 1834 censured precedent, expunged in '36, framing Bartlet's fate.
- • Survive institutional rebuke
- • Presidential grit overcomes censure
Commanding authority with institutional gravitas
Off-screen in congressional chamber, authoritatively commands House Secretary to read H. Con. Res. 172, unleashing formal institutional condemnation that punctuates Bartlet's Oval confession.
- • Execute censure protocol to publicly rebuke President
- • Advance congressional oversight and leverage
- • Congress holds power to condemn presidential deceit
- • Formal resolution enforces accountability without prosecution
Not directly observed
Absent but map gift invoked by Leo's hiding warning, tying personal gesture to political sensitivity.
- • Delight president with historical artifact
- • Unique gifts strengthen Oval bonds
Not directly observed
Referenced by Leo as unshielded from AMA scrutiny despite censure, heightening stakes of Bartlet's choice.
- • Navigate medical ethics amid politics
- • AMA enforces codes unyieldingly
Weary resignation veiling profound concern and loyalty's fracture
Standing resolute in Oval Office night shadows, Leo delivers final 'Yes, sir' acquiescence after exhaustive warnings on censure's fallout for Abbey, campaigns, Democrats, and Jackson precedent, then pivots to urgent map-hiding reminder amid geopolitical quips.
- • Mitigate political damage by hiding politically sensitive map
- • Extract final concession or acceptance from Bartlet on risks
- • Censure invites irreversible harm to Abbey via AMA and Democrats' races
- • Historical censure like Jackson's is survivable but scars deeply
Not directly observed
Referenced by Bartlet as prior consultant alongside deputies on resolution path.
- • Advise on legal viability of censure
- • Concurrent resolution sidesteps presidential veto
Not directly observed
Referenced by Bartlet as consulted figure (Trent/Chairman) in prelude to censure acceptance.
- • Drive hearings toward resolution
- • Congress demands accountability
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Central to climax: Speaker directs its reading, Secretary proclaims full accusatory text condemning Bartlet's deceitful MS conduct—narrative fulcrum transforming private Oval resolve into public historic shame, Bartlet poised to sign earlier referenced.
Leo's urgent reminder to Bartlet highlights Charlie's gifted 1709 Holy Land map as political liability—its pre-Israel contours, especially Lebanon's, risk misinterpretation amid scandal; serves as tension-deflecting prop underscoring deflection amid confession's gravity.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Evoked via map's contours in Leo-Bartlet exchange, Lebanon's pre-Israel borders spark quip on recognition hot-buttons, mirroring confession's geopolitical deflection amid domestic peril.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Congress manifests through Speaker's command and Secretary's reading of H. Con. Res. 172, delivering searing rebuke of Bartlet's deceit—climactic counterpoint to Oval defiance, embodying oversight's triumph in scandal's resolution.
Looms via Leo's warning that censure fails to shield Abbey from AMA ethics probe over secret meds, amplifying personal stakes in Bartlet's accountable pivot.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"The congressional offer of censure presented to Leo directly leads to Bartlet's ultimate decision to accept it."
"The congressional offer of censure presented to Leo directly leads to Bartlet's ultimate decision to accept it."
"Leo's initial rejection of the censure deal is consistent with his later arguments against it, showcasing his unwavering loyalty to Bartlet."
"Leo's initial rejection of the censure deal is consistent with his later arguments against it, showcasing his unwavering loyalty to Bartlet."
"Bartlet's confession of wrongdoing directly leads to the Speaker of the House reading the censure resolution."
"The portrait of Andrew Jackson symbolizes historical political battles, which is echoed in Bartlet's reference to Jackson's censure."
"Bartlet's confession of wrongdoing directly leads to the Speaker of the House reading the censure resolution."
Part of Larger Arcs
Key Dialogue
"SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE [O.S.]: "Would the Secretary read House Concurrent Resolution 172?""
"HOUSE SECRETARY [O.S.]: "Whereas, in his conduct of the Office of the President of the United States Josiah Bartlet has engaged in a course of deceitful and dishonest conduct designed to impede and deny the disclosure of vital matters of public concern, the United States Congress hereby condemns him for acting in a manner contrary to his trust as President to the great prejudice of the cause of justice and to the manifest injury of the American people.""