American Tax Officer-Chapter 759 - 380: The Work of the Senate_2

Chapter 759: Chapter 380: The Work of the Senate_2

“This David,” muttered a male voice next to Ivanka with a hint of dissatisfaction, “he promised the meeting would be at seven in the evening, and now it’s almost half past and he’s still not here!”

“Shut your mouth!”

Ivanka, losing her patience, cast a reprimanding look at Jafede.

Made to feel wronged by the reprimand, Jafede replied, “I was just saying…”

“Even so, you can’t say such things here; it could bring trouble for our family!”

Ivanka seemed irritated, glancing briefly toward Elvis who was not far away.

...

Seeing the situation, Jafede also realized that he had indeed misspoken.

The CIA was omnipresent, and given that the intelligence chief was present, daring to voice complaints like that in public was just asking for trouble!

And although it was just a passing complaint, if it reached the ears of someone like David, who remembered every slight, who knew what troubles it could stir up!

As the two were whispering, in the hotel lobby, many from the major families had started to check their watches repeatedly, some even beginning to show signs of impatience.

But, out of respect for Elvis, the chief of intelligence, no one dared to openly express their dissatisfaction as Jafede had before.

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Finally, ten minutes later, David’s figure finally appeared.

“I apologize for the delay, there were some urgent matters I had to attend to. Thank you for waiting.”

David certainly didn’t mean to keep them waiting on purpose.

Just now, he had received calls from several senators claiming that The Big Three Groups had started lobbying these people, so he spent some time on counter-strategies, which led to his late arrival.

“Not at all, Inspector David; we haven’t seen each other in a long time, it was a good opportunity to catch up.”

As one of David’s staunch supporters, Sean, who had arrived early, smoothed over the tension with a quick remark.

“By the way, Inspector David, let me introduce you, this is my uncle Roland, and this is…”

Families like Charlie, Beisemai, and Goda, although compelled to strike a deal with David, weren’t really optimistic about the bill succeeding.

But to their surprise, it actually passed in yesterday’s round of voting.

Although it was just the House of Representatives, from this glimpse, everyone witnessed David’s strength.

So this time, having been invited, each major family sent influential figures, hoping to secure more advantages should the bill pass.

After chatting with these people, David swept his gaze across the room, then excused himself before heading towards Ivanka, to whom he had locked his attention, and greeted her with a smile, “Ms. Ivanka, I trust you’ve been well.”

During his travels through the states, David had once encountered Ivanka by chance and since then had been thinking of getting her “on board.”

After all, her family was that of a former president, and though diminished after leaving the office, their influence remained significant.

“Thanks to you, Inspector David, everything is fine,” Ivanka replied with a gracious smile.

“Is that so, that’s good to hear. But speaking of which, I did invite your father to come along tonight… so where is he?”

“I apologize, Inspector David, my father is currently in Britain negotiating some matters and really couldn’t get away, so he sent me to represent him.”

Hearing this, David’s gaze narrowed slightly.

He had expressed his desire to meet the former president more than once, yet the man always found reasons to evade.

David had thought that his display of strength with the successful vote in the House might have been enough to persuade the former president to meet.

Unexpectedly, the man still seemed intent on ‘watching the battle’, indicating that the seemingly blustering former president was actually quite strategic.

Putting his thoughts aside, David turned to the man next to Ivanka and asked, “And you are…?”

“Oh right, this is my husband Jafede, who is currently managing our family’s real estate business in New York!” Ivanka promptly introduced.

“Inspector David, I am very pleased to meet you!”

In the face of David’s renown, Jafede’s mannerisms and speech all became more reverent, a complete turn from his prior complaints.

“Good evening, Mr. Jafede. Welcome to tonight’s event.”

“Thank you for your invitation, Inspector David…”

After exchanging brief pleasantries, David turned to Ivanka and said, “I have prepared some fine wine on the rooftop terrace, would you care to join me there?”

“Since Inspector David has invited us, we naturally have no reason to refuse.”

David nodded and turned to Manson, instructing, “Notify everyone to head up.”

“Right.”

Before long, a large group led by David reached the rooftop, which was home to an open-air restaurant.

However, the restaurant had been rearranged for the occasion, and now only a large round table sat in the center.

As everyone took their seats, several waiters began distributing glasses before each guest, and then brought out several bottles of champagne, pouring a half glass for each.

David raised his champagne and, looking around at everyone, said, “The Offshore Tax Evasion Bill has passed the House of Congress, thanks in no small part to everyone seated here. Let’s toast to a modest celebration!”

Facing David’s call, no one dared refuse and each raised their glass.

However, before clinking glasses, Sean chimed in, “Our great families have indeed made significant efforts, but the smooth passage of this bill was surely reliant on Inspector David. Let’s toast to Inspector David first!”

“Clang, clang, clang…”

The sound of glasses colliding echoed across the rooftop.

After they had drunk, David gestured for everyone to sit and turned to Elvis, saying, “Director Elvis, please give everyone a brief first.”

“Understood.”

Elvis nodded and began, “According to the latest CIA intelligence, The Big Three Groups plan to invest another ten billion in last-minute lobbying of senators in various states, so going forward…”

Elvis relayed the information he had at his disposal.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expressions grew more somber.

The Big Three Groups’ previous tactic of throwing money around had not stopped the bill in the House of Congressman, but it had been somewhat effective.

For instance, their families’ Congressmen had experienced defections during the voting process, resulting in a mere 222 votes being cast.

Now The Big Three Groups were employing the same tactics again, investing another ten billion. With such massive funding, no one could guarantee that the Senate would replicate the House’s success.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t invite you here to compete with them in throwing money around. The reason I’ve brought you here is quite simple—use any means necessary to secure your Senators’ seats and to prevent a repeat of what happened in the House!”

Before the vote, they had counted on 239 votes, but the final tally was only 222.

This meant that at least 17 Congressmen were turncoats, a not insignificant proportion.

If the same situation occurred in the Senate, it would be troublesome.

After all, the Senate only has 100 votes, and each one is critical—there is no margin for error as there is in the House.

Moreover, the Senate operates differently from the House.

On the surface, the Senate only needs 51 affirmative votes to pass a bill.

In reality, to truly pass, at least 51 votes are required, along with 9 special votes.

Why are 9 special votes needed, you might ask?

The reason is simple.

If Senators wish to prevent a bill’s passage, they can employ filibustering to delay the voting.

One might wonder, isn’t that just making speeches? How long could you possibly speak?

Even if you are a gifted orator, making it through one or two hours on the floor is impressive—could you really go on for an entire day?

Indeed, you could speak for a whole day!

According to congressional rules, before a Senate vote, a Senator intent on obstructing a bill can engage in an extended filibuster.

There is no time limit specified for this extended speech.

If you can indeed speak for an entire day, then you have the right to do so, and nobody has the authority to stop you.

Thus, in America’s history,

Many bills have reached the Senate only to be delayed by the opposition through this method, ultimately leading to the bills’ failure to pass!