Madam Secretary (2014) s06e04 Episode Script

1 close to enemy fire, Major Jenkins proceeded to carry his severely wounded fellow Marine all while calling in fire on the enemy.
He then climbed down the mountain for six hours until they reached an area where extraction could be attempted.
His courage, unwavering leadership and creative initiative saved many lives that day.
Major Jenkins has brought great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marines.
Because of your heroic actions, ten marines are alive today, and two fallen American heroes came home.
God bless you, Major Brad Jenkins.
God bless our marines and all those who serve.
Semper fi.
The President of the United States, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to retired Major Brad Jenkins, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
Oorah! I hope I didn't talk too long.
I noticed some kids squirming up front.
Well, they must be mine.
They're hard to impress.
Your first Medal of Honor ceremony was every bit as exciting as I imagined.
Good.
It's a lot of protocol, and I didn't want to miss anything.
Oh, you didn't.
And the picnic and the games for the honorees and their families will be less stressful.
Well, that's something fun to look forward to.
And, so happens, I have a very steady hand when it comes to an egg race.
Mm.
Well, I'll have to be a cheerleader.
I saw that.
What happened? I got kicked during a Krav Maga sparring match.
I thought you stopped seeing the Israeli guy.
Oh, he's gone, but the Krav Maga stuck around.
Ha.
- And just as a reminder, I won't be available this afternoon.
I have to go to something I'm not allowed to discuss with you.
Ah.
Well, good to know.
And good luck with the thing I know nothing about.
Dr.
Henry McCord, just the man I've been looking for.
Major Jenkins.
May I say congratulations, and I would like to add oorah.
Yut! This is my chief of staff, Captain Evan Moore.
- It is a privilege, Major.
- Would've been a damn fine marine, but Army won that battle.
- Afghanistan, Captain? - Three deploys to Iraq.
2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry.
On the fourth tour, I, uh, met the IED that ended that part of my career.
Well, I hope the V.
A.
came through for you, unlike some of the veterans I work with.
Well, let me just say it's been a privilege getting to work with Dr.
McCord on getting the V.
A.
Mental Health Modernization Bill passed.
Ah, yes.
Modernizing the V.
A.
I.
T.
infrastructure, expanding and improving programs to end homelessness.
- This bill's way overdue.
- Couldn't agree more.
I work with newly returned vets, and I can tell you, some of the red tape and computer glitches at the V.
A.
can be demoralizing.
I'm afraid I've, uh, cracked some of the plaster at the administrative offices trying to explain that to them.
It's not the V.
A.
's fault.
They're understaffed and underfunded.
Congress needs to do their job.
So, if there's anything I can do Hell, I'll even do public service announcements wearing my medal if it'll help pass this bill.
I suppose I don't have to tell you this, Major, but be careful what you volunteer for, and I have a witness.
Oh, with mean follow-through.
- Try me.
- How would you feel about addressing the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee this afternoon? I was scheduled to speak, but I think you're the guy they really need to hear from.
Let me at 'em.
I will, uh, notify the committee.
Hey.
Have you been sitting here all day? Not doing your dishes? Oh, well, the day's not over.
I will wash them, Mom.
If I were Mom, I'd wash them for you.
You need to get out of this apartment.
Clear your mind.
Did you call Stevie? No.
I'm a little preoccupied with becoming a U.
S.
citizen.
You know, they don't make this stuff easy.
Listen to this.
"The Federalist Papers supported the passage "of the U.
S.
Constitution.
- Name one of the authors.
" - Wow.
After you learn that, are you going to call Stevie? Look, I-I have three goals while I'm here: to become a U.
S.
citizen, to get a job, and to-to spend some time with my sister.
You forgot suffer, because deep down, you want to call Stevie, but you don't.
It's just so Russian.
I'm-I'm not so sure she wants to hear from me.
If only there was a way to find out.
Ah, but then you'd have to give up this tortured state and really find out how she feels.
Well, you're right about one thing.
Should have done my dishes.
Ms.
Grant, did you ever travel to Iran as press secretary to then Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord? No.
But I did meet the Iranian delegation when they came here for the signing of the treaty.
Can you tell me if you got to know any Iranian nationals - during their time here? - Yes.
Because of my work, I dealt mostly with the Iranian reporters who were here for the signing, but I haven't really kept in touch with any of them.
Surely some of them reached out to you after they returned to Iran? Just a few "nice to meet you" e-mails.
Ms.
Grant, why don't you tell us about the night you were arrested for assaulting a man in a bar.
Okay.
Fine.
The campaign had just finished an exhausting bus tour through New England.
Oh, I got one.
I got one.
"Secretary McCord, looking pale and drawn, took to the stage this afternoon.
" Yeah, translation: the woman candidate walked off her bus after a nap - and didn't refresh her makeup.
Please.
- Mm-hmm.
Or how about the question TV news anchors love to ask: - Is she tough enough? - Is she tough enough? I don't This is what I don't understand.
She's a former CIA operative who survived a bombing and an attempted coup in Iran.
- Mm-hmm.
- Meanwhile, most members of Congress can't even mow their lawn.
Why don't they just come out with it and say, "Why can't we go back to the good old days when women "and cattle could be used as currency and then burned as witches when they got too saucy?" Not the cattle, unless it's barbecue sauce.
Oh, that's too dark for you tadpoles? Okay, I'm out.
- See you tomorrow.
Early.
- Good night.
- Bye.
- Yeah, yeah.
Nina was working at the State Department and wasn't a part of the campaign.
Oh, she's here.
But since we were in town, we invited her to join us out for a drink.
How about the-the reporter the other day who was talking about the "tidiness" - of the, uh, campaign bus.
- Where you going, sweetheart? Who you here to see? - Me? Let me buy you a drink.
- Sorry? Oh.
No, I'm not here to see you.
I see my friends, actually.
- Hi.
- Hey, wait a second.
Those glasses Cleanliness of a male candidate's campaign bus? And it really wasn't even that tidy.
- We all remember the smell.
- Nina.
Those glasses really bring out the color of your eyes.
- Hi! - Glad you could make it.
- Oh, no, no.
Hey, hey.
- Ready for a drink? - It's okay.
I got it.
- Uh, maybe later.
- She's here to meet us.
- Yeah.
Oh, I get it.
Hey, I'm cool with that, if I can watch.
- Okay.
Bye.
- Oh, no, no, no.
Sorry.
Good night.
Hey, you're both I mean, you're both really hot.
- Bye.
Ew.
- Oh, come on! Stop being bitches about it.
- Oh, my God.
- Hey.
I'm talking to you! You see that? Geez.
Help! - See if he's all right.
- Someone call 911! - It's all right, we got him.
- Someone call the police! - Oh! - It was a reflex.
I had been studying Krav Maga, and they train you to react to being grabbed from behind, which I was.
Of course, the police and an ambulance came.
The paramedics refused to take the guy, but the police brought me in for questioning because there was a lot of blood.
And screaming.
I think we're done for this session.
Resume tomorrow, same time.
Is it, uh, too much to wear the medal? No, no.
Not many of these guys have seen combat, so it might help to get their full attention.
Lorraine.
Dr.
Henry McCord and Major Brad Jenkins here to give their testimony before the committee.
Oh.
Dr.
McCord, I called your office, but you had already left.
I'm so sorry.
The committee adjourned for the day.
What? Nobody called my cell.
Typical.
We confirmed with Senator Peoples' office less than an hour ago.
- I'm just so sorry.
- Okay.
Thank you.
Uh, Brad, I will get to the bottom of this.
This is dirty politics, Henry.
It could well be.
This is how vets are treated every day in this country.
All this "thank you for your service" crap.
I'd trade every superficial platitude for just one minute of evidence that somebody somewhere cares.
But you know what? They don't.
You guys are vets.
You know it's the truth.
I understand how you feel.
I'm sick of that one, too.
Call me when somebody around here gets serious about doing something.
Sir, Dr.
Henry McCord would like a word.
Dr.
McCord.
Thank you, Alma.
Senator, you owe me an explanation.
I requested to bring a war hero before your committee.
What the hell happened? Look, I'm sorry.
I really am.
- I called your office - No, I don't want to hear about scheduling conflicts.
Just tell me the truth.
You're right.
You're entitled to that.
I was advised to cancel Major Jenkins' appearance by someone at the White House.
The White House? Who? Vice President Morejon.
Go! Go, go, go! - Molly, where'd you come from? - Back there.
Go, Molly! - I am really good at this, you know that? - Me, too.
Wait, whoa, whoa! Molly! I thought I was gonna win.
You smoked me.
Second place is pretty good.
Thank you, Molly.
That was cute.
- What do you really mean? - Pointless.
- Ah.
- You have a veteran's bill to pass, this lawn is literally crawling with decorated heroes and their kids, and the press is nowhere to be found.
This is not about the press, Mike.
I'm sorry, I can't I can't hear you, like I can't hear a tree falling in the woods because there's no photographer or anyone.
So no one's gonna be able to help the tree when the Veterans' Affairs Committee - Just you know I'm right.
Just - Oh! - Popcorn.
- Don't - Have a good time, Mike.
- Don't bring popcorn.
Could you just hold that? Thanks.
Look! Look at this! It's for nothing.
It's all for nothing! Right? No one no one saw.
No one saw.
Hey, Russell.
I'm having a hot dog.
I don't care if it kills me.
Hear what happened at the Veterans' Affairs Committee meeting? Just that Brad Jenkins was gonna take your speaking slot, address the committee.
Senator Peoples cancelled it.
I confronted him and he told me that the vice president told him not to let Major Jenkins speak.
Thanks.
Look, I know that Elizabeth and Carlos have an agreement.
He doesn't have to fall in line with every policy she supports.
But he's not supposed to publicly oppose her, either.
Well, I got to tell you, Henry, technically, Carlos did this behind the scenes, not publicly.
You're honestly gonna tell me that this in the spirit of the arrangement? I don't know what the hell this arrangement is.
It's never been done before, so it's still being arranged.
I'm gonna talk to the vice president.
Major Jenkins should be heard.
And it will help the bill.
Much like eating this hot dog, I think that's a bad idea.
Talking to the vice president risks angering him enough to go public with his views on the bill.
Then add to that this ridiculous Senate Intelligence investigation.
The next thing you know, everyone will be saying we're a White House in chaos.
Now I don't even want this hot dog.
Hey, hey, hey, check it out.
Look, look, look.
- Check it out.
If we get this one - Whoa.
we can make a main dish on the one burner and still be able to heat up a side on the other one, huh? Main dish? Side dish? - Are you the same man - Yeah.
who wanted to buy the Avenging Angel Survival Kit? All right, look, I'm I'm a very complicated, yet simple camper, see? You sound like you are a camper who doesn't camp.
OMG.
You're Stevie McCord.
I love your mom.
My whole family does.
I do, too.
Can I take a selfie with you? My parents will literally die.
They both campaigned for her.
Of course.
Let's do it.
Tell your mom hi for me.
Do you mind if I post this? Oh, no.
Not at all.
Go for it, yeah.
- Bye.
- Thanks for asking.
Bye.
Hey, got to have it, right? Yes.
What is it? Though Senator Peoples and I share the same party affiliation, I would never interfere with how he runs his committee.
I mean, I did share with him my feeling that we should delay the markup and consideration of the bill until the merits of vets choosing their own health care specialist outside the V.
A.
system is fully explained.
Brad Jenkins is in the trenches every day - dealing with service members who - Henry, I'm sorry.
I think what we need here is rational debate, not grandstanding with a Medal of Honor recipient.
Come on.
This is a guy, who, in addition to his real-world knowledge, uh, is well-versed in public policy.
And I mean no disrespect to the major.
I'm-I'm just saying, I believe that those that have sacrificed for our freedom deserve to have the freedom themselves to choose how and where they get their care.
Privatization is cheaper, right? Is that what this is about? It's part of every bill, as it should be.
Look, the president's ESI bill did not turn out to be revenue neutral as promised.
We cannot have that again.
I mean no disrespect to the major or to you.
I have my reservations about the bill.
Elizabeth knows about it.
Elizabeth didn't bring an expert to a committee only to have the door shut in her face.
I'm sorry it felt that way.
It was not intended.
Okay, now, bear spray that seems like a no-brainer, right? - Mm-hmm.
- Unless you prefer the bear bell.
Oh, yeah.
And if you hate birds, there is bird repellent.
What? Wow.
There's also not camping.
Just another option.
Uh, no, not an option.
We are committed to this.
I'm just saying.
Geez.
You know, why go camping if you hate birds? Okay, let's just get into the, uh, camping mind frame.
- All right, let's pick - Stevie? I-I am Talia, Dmitri's sister? Oh, my God.
Sorry.
One second.
I can't believe we have never met.
- Me too.
- I've seen pictures of you.
- Me too.
- Wow.
Uh, how funny to run into you.
- Yeah.
- I just came in to get a flashlight.
Oh, well, they have a mind-boggling variety.
Um how's Dmitri? He's fine.
Good.
Listen, um, I can't believe how lucky this is.
Uh, I've been invited to attend a roundtable of hospital executives and health care workers to discuss health services for poor communities.
Oh, wow.
- I know you work for a human rights group.
I bet you have some insights.
Yeah, actually, we are working on a program right now that is geared toward mothers without insurance.
Oh.
My God.
That's exactly the kind of thing we're trying to improve.
I hate to be pushy, but the roundtable is tomorrow.
Any chance we can have a drink or coffee this evening? Uh, just a half an hour or so would be incredible.
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, I can do that.
Um, here.
Just, if you give me your number, I'll text you later.
Resuming the testimony of Daisy Grant.
Can you tell us, Ms.
Grant, why no charges were filed against you even though you were taken to the police station for that purpose? Because I was cleared of wrongdoing, which the police determined after they were given a video taken by a patron at the bar.
I have the police report here, and it states that you informed the police that you worked for Secretary McCord.
So really that's that's why the police let you go.
The term for it is "color of office.
" You abused your position.
Okay, that that is not what happened.
And what is your occupation? I'm a press secretary.
What is the address of your place of employment? No, it's actually a bus.
I'm mostly on the road.
Who is your employer, Ms.
Grant? Is this necessary information? I mean, my employer wasn't involved.
Why do you need to know? You just assaulted and inflicted injury on a man in a bar.
It might be in your best interest to cooperate with the police, ma'am.
I'm the press secretary for Elizabeth McCord and her presidential campaign.
But I still don't see what this has to do with anything.
I got to fill out these forms, Ms.
Grant.
Senator, no color of office existed.
Elizabeth McCord was no longer secretary of state and had not been elected president.
And Ms.
Grant was no longer a federal employee.
I think we will end this session here.
Thank you both.
You are excused.
Wha It It's fine.
He's, um, a friend.
Hi.
I I can't believe that you're here.
Um, Talia didn't tell me - that you were - That she was setting us up? - Yeah.
- Uh, yeah, she told me to meet her here so that I could, uh, approve a new guy she's dating.
Mm.
She knew how to get you here.
Uh, my sister watches too many romcoms.
Sit, please.
Sit down.
Sit.
How long have you been back? Uh a couple of weeks.
Um, because of the treaty, it's now safe for me.
- Oh.
- But I'm not really here for good.
I'm just, uh, I'm studying to become a citizen.
Um, I'm staying with my sister.
- Mm-hmm.
- And I may kill her after this, so that that might interfere with the process.
So, she was coming to the camping store to find me? I'm sorry.
Uh She probably stalked you on social media.
Uh a good spy.
Runs in the family.
So was I gonna hear from you? I-I wasn't sure.
Uh I-I knew you were seeing someone.
I might occasionally look at your Instagram.
Right.
Yeah.
I mean, that's-that's allowed.
Um What about you? Are you seeing anyone? Are you kidding? You wouldn't believe the big social scene at the-at the listening station in Alaska.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, yeah, uh, sometimes the parties They lasted all night, which gets crazy in the winter, because night lasts all day.
- So no? - No.
Okay.
You-You've been seeing this guy a long time? No, not very long.
Um Yeah, we're going camping this weekend at Shenandoah National Park.
So if we survive that, I guess it's it's officially a relationship.
Sounds like fun.
- Mm-hmm.
- But if you see a bear, just don't look him in the eye.
Or do.
I can't remember.
Uh, well, we have a bear bell.
A bear horn? Bell - Yeah.
- No, I'm not sure.
- Just don't see a bear.
That - Yeah, that's Might be better.
It's great advice.
Great advice.
Were you on with Brad Jenkins that whole time? Yeah.
To say he's really passionate about the V.
A.
bill is an understatement.
Well, now you're here, I need you.
I like the sound of that.
Will you do that thing you do to my shoulders? - It's - Oh.
Well, don't look so disappointed.
Magic shoulder rubs have been known to lead to better things.
I serve at the pleasure.
Oh! - So - Mm.
Brad gave me his numbers 87, 12 and ten.
That's 87 enemy combatants killed and the collaterals 12 women, ten children.
Oh.
He has to live with that every day.
Well, you know something about that.
Well, yeah, I was dropping bombs, but I wasn't there on the ground.
So, I have an understanding of Brad's passion for this modernization bill, and it makes me even angrier at Carlos for not letting him talk to the committee.
I'm sorry about Carlos.
But you know my deal with him.
- He gets to have his own voice.
- Yeah, but it was embarrassing.
Brad was clearly humiliated.
Well, look, with or without Carlos, we're gonna figure out a way to get this bill over the finish line.
Over to the left.
I thought we had the left.
No.
- You, over to the left.
- Oh, oh.
That's Yeah.
How's that? So good.
I'm actually having lunch with Senator Peoples of Kentucky.
I can't believe that guy's chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
- But good.
Great.
- Yeah.
I think he just needs a little shove to get the bill out of committee.
He sure does.
Yeah.
- Babe.
- Oh.
I've got a meeting tomorrow with Brad and a couple other veteran activists to go over the media campaign for the bill.
I got to go write down some thoughts.
Okay.
Will you come back? Always.
Hey.
Sorry.
Uh, am I interrupting something? - I can - No, no, no.
I just came to borrow your hiking boots.
It's the only thing that, uh, I forgot to get - on my list.
- Hiking? Griffin and I are going camping this weekend.
It's, like, a whole ordeal.
It would actually just be cheaper at this point to check into a Four Seasons.
Um, hey, did you guys know that Dmitri was back in town? Well, I-I knew he was free to leave his post, but I didn't know he was here.
Yeah.
I ran into him.
Uh, it's a long story.
But he's doing well.
- Well, that's good.
- Yeah.
No, you should've seen me and Griffin at this camping store.
It was like I mean, we were totally clueless, and there's so much weird stuff.
I mean, it was hilarious.
There was this-this thing.
It was called a-a personal cooling system.
Right? What is that? I mean, it's a good thing that my Secret Service agents have, like, camping experience, 'cause there's now an excellent chance that we will actually survive.
That's always nice to hear.
Yeah.
Okay.
- Stevie? - Yeah.
Boots? What? Hiking boots? Oh.
Yeah.
Where are they? Out in that hall closet.
Thanks.
Is it just me or do you think she was overselling a bit? I think we're gonna try not to think about it.
Good luck with that.
Conveniently, as if it were planned, your lunch with Senator Peoples cannot extend past 12:45, because, at 1:00, you have a photo op with Scotland's champion Highland fling dancers.
Saved by a prior fling dancing commitment.
- Yes.
- You're a genius.
Hello! Senator Peoples, right on time.
Well, I'd be a fool to be late for a date with the commander in chief.
And to celebrate, I brought along a bottle of Blue Lid.
My family's been making it since the Prohibition.
Well, considering where you're from, I'm thinking bourbon? A worthy guess, but incorrect.
It's a stout ale.
But we do have some lovely parting gifts for the president.
Would you care to tell her about them, Blake? - I don't understa - The senator is pretending we're in a game show.
Let's you and me go have some Blue Lid and quinoa cakes, shall we? Yes.
I'll alert you at 12:45.
- Thank you.
- Yes.
In the beginning, my grandpa used to strain the ale through an old pair of blue jeans.
That's where the color and the name comes from.
I'm guessing the FDA wasn't around then.
Mm, that's the truth.
These days they add mulberries during the second fermentation instead.
The color's the same, but the flavor's a lot less earthy.
- Definitely sweet.
- For good reason.
The sweetness helps cover up the high alcohol content.
Would you believe what you're drinking is 15% alcohol by volume? Ma Maybe I should have another quinoa cake.
It can sneak up on you, that's for sure.
Maybe I should leave a bottle for you and Dr.
McCord to enjoy together.
Or we can save it to toast the passing of the Veterans' Modernization Bill.
Ah, I was wondering when you'd get to that.
Listen, I feel bad about cancelling their appearance before the committee, but it's a complicated situation.
Not that complicated, really.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has modernized their appeals process to everyone's benefit, and it's time for mental health to get an overhaul.
I've yet to decide which way I'm gonna vote, so I would be more than happy to hear your full-throated pitch, Madam President.
Oh, I appreciate that.
Why don't we start with the V.
A.
's track record on processing claims and follow-up screenings? Hi, Daisy.
- Ma'am.
- Yeah? - Are you okay? - Yep.
Uh, your lip is blue.
That's a problem.
- But I'm also drunk.
- Mm-hmm.
Are you headed back to the Oval? I have a photo op with the Flinging Dancing - Scotsmen of - Mm-hmm.
- Champions.
- Mm-hmm.
I think you should come with me, and maybe tag the vice president for the photo.
I think maybe.
- I like your thinking.
- Let's go.
I think so.
- Blake, focus on me.
- Yeah.
We're gonna need some aspirin, vitamin C and a Gatorade.
Okay.
Ooh, not the blue flavor.
Good call.
The president needs to lie down for about 45 minutes, uninterrupted.
Okay.
Blue Lip is 15% alcohol, Blake.
Okay.
- I'm gonna go lie down.
- Lie down.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Hi, Evan.
- Hey, Brad.
- Tell Henry I'm sorry.
I'm in a hell of a traffic jam.
Hard to tell how long.
They should just start without me.
I'll-I'll get there when I get there.
Okay.
Good luck.
Damn it! No! You okay, buddy? - You hit me.
- Sorry, I heard your horn.
- I guess I thought you were moving.
- And you hit me - after honking like a lunatic.
- It wasn't my fault.
It doesn't matter! You rear-ended me.
We need to exchange information or I call the police.
Get away from my car.
Get away from my car! They're over there making up their story.
I was the one who got hit I-I was just sitting there.
He hit me! Stay back, sir.
- Sir, can you come down from there, please? - No! Not until you listen to me.
It didn't happen the way they're gonna say it did.
I just want you to come down and tell me your side of the story.
Oh, what chance do I have, two against one? Sir, nothing really bad has happened here.
It's just a fender bender.
Let's talk about it.
No! No more talk.
It's all lies.
I'm gonna end up getting screwed.
It always happens.
Don't you get it? Nobody listens because nobody cares, and it's never gonna be any different.
Please, sir, come down now.
Come down now.
Gun! Gun! The shooting death of Major Jenkins appears to be a case of suicide by cop, as he was unarmed, but deliberately reached behind his back.
I thought his animation was just enthusiasm for the legislation.
I should have known better, a guy with his history.
That's taking on a lot, babe.
I just got off the phone with his wife.
She said that he was suffering from depression, probably due to his PTSD.
But he stopped going to see his therapist.
Thought he had it beat.
He said that helping other vets was enough.
Wow, the poor guy.
People don't realize what a beast PTSD is.
You know, I was talking to Ellen Hill, and she was saying that the suicide rate for veterans is twice what it is for civilians.
Brad sent me a copy of the speech he didn't get to give before the Veterans Affairs Committee last night.
It was attached to this long, rambling e-mail.
That's another sign.
I just put it down to frustration.
Wanting to get it off his chest.
Well, I think people get good at-at hiding PTSD.
I worry about Stevie and what happened to her in the White House bombing.
Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event suffers from PTSD.
That's part of the problem.
It's entirely unpredictable.
What about you? Not from the Gulf War.
I struggled for a while after I got shot, but And, as you know, the Fourth of July is no longer my favorite holiday.
I could go a lifetime without hearing any more fireworks.
Well, I still struggle with triggers.
Sometimes when you think I'm listening to a podcast Whale sounds.
Why don't you tell me when that's happening? Well, 'cause I don't want to dwell on it, you know? I mean, that bombing in Iran was a long time ago.
I feel like I should be over it.
And then there's this thing where if I'm talking about it, maybe I'm bringing it into the house.
Like like I could keep it at bay if I just don't give it a name.
I don't think you're alone in that.
That is why we have got to educate people about this issue.
Hey.
You can always tell me anything.
You too.
Whip count in the Senate puts the numbers uncomfortably close.
We'd be lucky to clear a filibuster by a single vote.
Which is why, crass as it is, we need to use the death of the Medal of Honor winner.
Recipient, not winner.
It's not a contest.
My mistake.
But this guy died because he was frustrated by a system that let him down, as well as the other vets he spent his life trying to help.
This bill could assure that his life's work had value, had meaning.
Still, his family The man was obviously in pain.
He's got a widow and two young children.
How will they feel seeing more of this - in the coming news cycles? - Isn't that exactly why this legislation needs to be passed? I mean, with modernization, there's a better chance that guys like Major Jenkins won't be left out in the cold.
I I think he would have wanted that.
I have to say I agree with Mike on this.
Did not see that coming.
- Daisy, what do you think? - It's delicate, but I-I think there's an approach that could work for everyone.
Then go ahead, prepare a press release.
I'll take a look at it and make my decision then.
- Thanks, everyone.
- Yes, ma'am.
What haven't you told us? - What? - I'm hearing that Hanson is gonna demand that you go back in front of the Intelligence Committee 'cause they think you lied.
This is very serious.
Do you have any idea what it's about? No.
I didn't lie to the committee.
Listen just be careful.
And smart.
There's a chance this is just something where you have to correct the record.
If so, do it.
And fast.
Ms.
Grant, you are still under oath.
Yes.
Uh, and, Senator Hanson, just let me say that I am happy to set the record straight by clarifying any issues.
There is this one item.
The list you provided The, uh, the eyewitnesses to the incident in the bar Is this - a complete list? - I believe so.
Take a look at this, please.
I'm cool with that, if I can watch.
- Okay.
Uh - Oh, my God.
- Excuse me.
- No, no, no, no, come on, hey, I mean, you're both really hot.
Come on, stop being bitches about it.
Hey Oh! Oh, uh, I'm sorry.
That's Claudine Bernard.
She's a friend who works at the French embassy.
- I forgot she we there that night.
- You simply forgot about your best eyewitness to the assault? And the fact that she should have been included on the list of foreign nationals with whom you had contact.
It was a, uh, chaotic night, coupled with the exhaustion from the campaign.
Plus, I admit I had more than one drink.
Senator, Ms.
Grant has been very forthcoming, and this lapse is one that can be easily remedied by amending our foreign nationals list to include Claudine Bernard.
I'd like to add that this omission is hardly egregious, considering that France is an extremely close ally.
Very well.
Please see to that.
And thank you for your cooperation.
It's okay.
Hey, so, quick question.
I, uh, I bought a lot of different kinds of tick repellent for this trip.
You know, sprays as well as a balm.
But, uh, since your secret service detail are right there behind us, and they are technically here to protect you, are they responsible for warding off ticks? Um, you know, I think I'm-I'm on my own on that one.
- Oh, yeah, I guess.
- Uh, yeah, I just can't really see them, like, spraying me down or, um, giving me a skin check.
Yeah, good point.
Well, that's okay.
We're good, we're good, because I also brought something called a tick key, and something called a tick nipper.
- So I think I got us pretty well covered.
- Mm.
Good afternoon.
Before the Veterans' Affairs Mental Health Modernization Bill is marked up and voted on, the committee would like to hear testimony from Dr.
Henry McCord.
Thank you, Chairman Peoples.
The night before he died, Major Brad Jenkins sent me the speech he didn't get to make before you.
I've decided that his are the most important words you should hear today.
"I didn't come here to denigrate the V.
A.
, "which does such important work, "but I think we have to admit it has become inefficient.
"How could it not when 7.
1 million service people have been "added to the roster from the Gulf War to the present? "And here's what happens: "Active duty is over, and you transfer "from D.
O.
D.
to civilian V.
A.
care.
"They tell you you'll have yearly physical exams "that you must maintain to stay active in the system.
"And part of that exam "is a depression and PTSD screening.
"But service members who worry about having PTSD "on their record don't show up for those appointments, "or don't tell the truth.
"Guys like a retired captain I met who was in Afghanistan for his fourth deployment" Ready.
"and found a seven-year-old boy hiding.
"The boy was holding his baby sister, "who'd had her legs blown off.
"The kid said, 'Please, don't tell my father.
' Or a private I talked to" Fire.
"whose best buddy stepped outside for a smoke.
"A mortar hit close by, and after the smoke cleared, "the private ran out to find his friend, "but all he found was one boot, "his friend's foot still in it.
"These aren't unusual stories.
"Most veterans have some that they never share.
"The V.
A.
tries, but it's big and needs all the help we can give it.
" Thank you.
"People fall through the cracks "because of bureaucratic failures, "and it's hard for warriors to admit weakness.
"This modernization bill will address that.
"It won't solve everything, but it will help.
"I think we have to try to improve the lives "of our most altruistic citizens.
I have faith you'll get it done.
" I shared this speech with Major Jenkins' wife Andrea, and she told me that all the horrible stories that he described they happened to him.
And not just the battle stories, but the fact that administrators at the V.
A.
missed or didn't act when Major Jenkins fell behind on his PTSD treatments.
He was a war hero, a Medal of Honor recipient, and even he fell through the cracks.
I think Major Jenkins said it best, so I'll simply echo his words.
Let's do better for the people who give most to our country.
The children next to her when she was accepting the flag was heartbreaking.
It is.
He survived the war, and I'm sure they thought he was safe Whatever you're doing to yourself right now, Carlos, you can't.
I should have let him address that damn committee.
No, it might not have mattered.
Might have been something down the line.
Least the bill passed.
Maybe it'll help.
You know, my objections were purely on policy.
I do.
It's our first big clash.
You having any second thoughts? No.
Are you? Some.
What we're doing has never been done before.
First one through the wall always gets bloody.
I don't mind that part.
I just don't want to be bloody and ineffective.
This relationship is effective because of what it stands for.
Two people who disagree still make progress, together.
Yeah, but, uh, I think your husband hates me right now.
Well, buy him a jalapeño cheeseburger.
He's the forgiving type.
Yeah? How do you think I've lasted this long? - Come on.
- Okay.
Hanson turn nasty? He is a horse's ass.
What? You forgot a name.
It's not the end of the world.
No.
No, it's bigger than that.
I left Claudine's name off the list for a reason.
We should go inside.