Object

SP 380 Highway Bill

SP 380 surges into the fray as the highway improvement bill Sam wields like a loaded bargaining chip during his nail-biting phone clinch with Senator McGowan. White House backing for its passage—paired with parkland naming—seals the Blue Ribbon Commission vote, sparking Sam's triumphant fist-pump amid Oval Office frenzy. Toby, Leo, and Bartlet swiftly greenlight the quid pro quo, propelling the team toward the motorcade rush.

3 appearances

Purpose

Authorize and fund highway improvements through federal legislative support

Significance

Pivotal political horse-trade that locks in Senator McGowan's crucial Blue Ribbon Commission backing, exposing raw quid pro quo deal-making and vulnerability in the frantic pre-State of the Union countdown

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S2E13 · Bartlet's Third State of the Union

Sam Clinches Blue Ribbon Vote Amid Final Speech Tweaks

SP 380 Highway Bill emerges as Sam's clinched bargaining chip—White House weight pledged alongside parkland—in exchange for McGowan's Blue Ribbon support, verified by Leo, propelling policy victory.

Before: Negotiable asset on phone line

After: Locked in quid pro quo, en route to Capitol

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S2E13 · Bartlet's Third State of the Union

Deal Sealed Amid Last-Minute Tweaks, Team Rushes to Motorcade

SP 380 Highway Bill emerges as Sam's bargaining chip in phone deal explanation to Leo, White House weight pledged alongside park naming to lock Blue Ribbon support, embodying raw pork quid pro quo.

Before: Legislative concept in negotiation

After: Greenlit commitment, advancing to implementation

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S2E13 · Bartlet's Third State of the Union

Sam Seals McGowan's Blue Ribbon Backing with Highway Pork

Sam discloses it as core concession to Leo amid hallway walk—White House 'weight behind' this highway bill pairs with park land to seal McGowan's Blue Ribbon yes—embodying pork quid pro quo that greases legislative wheels under SOTU gun.

Before: Legislative bargaining chip, uncommitted

After: Endorsed by administration per deal terms

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