Kaufman leaned back, a confident expression on his face, as if he had the situation completely under control.
'This is an offer he can't refuse,' he thought.
Leo Wallace was a politician, and politicians need achievements to run on.
A ten-billion-dollar infrastructure project would be enough for Leo to boast about for the rest of his life.
Trading a healthcare bill doomed to face fierce opposition for a tangible infrastructure bill was the most rational choice.
If Leo just nodded, everyone could walk away with their dignity intact.
Leo looked at Kaufman.
He had to admit, the old man had made a shrewd calculation.
It was a classic divide-and-conquer strategy.
Separate Leo's two fists, offer a piece of candy to one hand, and chop off the other.
But Leo was prepared for this.
"Mr. Speaker."
Leo picked up the two documents from the table.
One was the Comprehensive Infrastructure Bill, the other the Pharmaceutical Benefits Bill.
He held them in his hands, weighing them.
