Five Votes Down

"Five Votes Down" is the 4th episode of The West Wing. Presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry needs five more House votes to pass a bill restricting the sale of automatic firearms -- but the cost might be too high, especially if he has to go to the unpredictable Vice President to help put them over the top. The staff's annual financial disclosure statements prove to be thorny for Toby, whose innocent technology stock purchase last year proved to... more

"Five Votes Down" is the 4th episode of The West Wing. Presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry needs five more House votes to pass a bill restricting the sale of automatic firearms -- but the cost might be too high, especially if he has to go to the unpredictable Vice President to help put them over the top. The staff's annual financial disclosure statements prove to be thorny for Toby, whose innocent technology stock purchase last year proved to be wildly profitable, which raises eyes due to his association with an expert in the field. In addition, Leo's long hours on the job cause an unforeseen crisis at home, and the President unintentionally mixes up the potent medications he receives for his ailing back. While President Bartlet delivers a speech priding the inevitable passage of a House bill concerned with gun control, his staff learns that said passage now may not be happening--the latest count places the the bill coming up short by five votes. Leo McGarry calls an emergency... less