Aimee walks into a hearing of the Senate Budget Committee and takes a seat.
Pam: Senators, welcome. Today, we are debating ahead of the final passage of the congressional budget for fiscal year 2026. The floor is open for questions from all members on each side. As a reminder, we have until April 15 to pass this budget, which has already been drafted by committee, as well as any amendments looking to be added. Senator Ferrera Donahue is recognized.
Aimee: Senator, I appreciate your leadership on this bill. I believe it has carefully considered Republican concerns, and is an extremely fair bill. I have made my issues with the bill known, and Democrats leading the talks took my notes into account, as well as the president’s concerns. To me, this bill represents the best of DC cooperation. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. It’s created primarily by Democrats, and I’m a Republican. I will obviously never agree with it in full. But this is mostly a bipartisan bill, and it’s a bill that I intend to support. That being said, I urge members of the committee to also pass Senator Montgomery’s amendment regarding Alaskan prosperity, to make sure the people of Alaska are not left behind in budget deal. Thank you.
Pam: Senator Gardenia is recognized.
Gwen: Folks, this has been a grueling process, and top Democrats from Budget and Appropriations have worked with the White House to make sure this is a budget that represents the interests of all ends off the political spectrum. In authoring this budget, we carefully considered that the American people elected a divided government, and put together a bill that we believe everyone can be comfortable with, with provisions for international aid, funding our military and helping veterans, healthcare and Social Security benefits, and programs to reduce unemployment, all while reducing the size of the budget from the last five years. It’s a miracle of a bill, and it’s my hope that we’ll all come together to pass it with ease, for the sake of our country.
Janie: Democrats and RINOs can pat themselves on the back over this budget that has not passed all they want, but those of us with brains can plainly see that this is not going to pass. Sorry to burst your liberal bubble, but the president will never sign this, and no real Republican is getting on board with it. This is a liberal wish list, and Democrats have clearly forgotten who the people of this country elected as their president. As far as I’m concerned, this proposal is DOA, and if you all don’t take the threat of that seriously, then enjoy your shutdown! The American people will plainly see who is at fault for it.
Pam; Senator, I ask that you show a bit more diplomacy in addressing the committee. Reprimanding those with opposing views is not productive.
Janie: None of this is productive!
Pam: You are out of line.
Aimee: What else is new?
Janie: Is she allowed to talk to me like that?
Pam: Everyone needs to calm down.
Janie: I’m calm! You’re the one triggered!
Pam: I’m not triggered, I am attempting to keep diplomacy.
Janie: You’ve done a poor job of that.
Pam: Enough! Your speaking privileges are revoked for the remainder of the hearing.
Janie: You can’t silenc-
Pam: Yes, I can. Your mic is off.
Mildred: Is it my turn to speak yet?
Sally: It’s times like this where I’m glad I can’t hear.
Gwen: Senator Emmer, stop derailing the hearing like some sort of petulant child.
Janie: You first!
Pam: All right, you know what? This hearing’s over, everyone shut up. No more debating, we’re voting on advancing the budget. You all should’ve read it by now anyway, this thing was just for the sake of C-SPAN anyway.
Mildred: Guess I won’t be using this speech.
Melody: We have to debate it on the floor, you can just save it for that.
Mildred: Good idea!
Later that day, in Aimee’s office…
Denise: How’d it go? Is the budget locked and loaded? Did we avoid a shutdown in the nick of time again?
Aimee: It’s not the nick of time, we’ve got four days!
Denise: That’s a bad argument for why you haven’t started your book report for 8th grade English, it’s an even worse defense for Congress not passing a budget yet. This is pretty much down to the wire.
Aimee: It passed the Budget Committee 15-6, so it’s well on its way to getting passed. I think asked Gwen what Kate and Ellie are expecting for the final vote, and they said they have at leas 75-78 yeses already and there are still at least ten undecided and a few noes that are pretty soft. Only the massively conservative hardliners are sure noes, and that’s how it was bound to be. Nanette’s confident, too. We’re locked and loaded, this should pass tomorrow.
Denise: That’s good to hear. Lord knows how many angry calls we’d get if there were a shutdown because a Democrat supermajority can’t cram a budget through.
Aimee: There won’t be a shutdown, I’ll tell you that much!
Denise: Famous last words!
The next morning…
Victoria: Aimee?
Aimee: Oh my gosh, you scared me in here.
Victoria: I don’t mean to interrupt you when you’re doing your makeup, but I do have something I need to ask.
Aimee: No, I have not seen the finale of The White Lotus yet, and I don’t find that urgent, so please stop asking me.
Victoria: No, not that. This is about your job. I see you pulled out your power pantsuit that you always wear when you’re expecting victory.
Aimee: Of course I am, for the first time ever, I had a small part in writing our country’s budget, and it’s about to pass and keep our government funded.
Victoria: Aimee, I was watching the Today show, which is not the same without Hoda but it’s still the best morning show, and they said President Delphy just announced he won’t sign the current budget bill and that he’d veto it if the Senate sends it his way.
Aimee: He said what? Are you kidding me?
Victoria: I was shocked myself! You were so confident.
Aimee: This is a complete shakeup from what I was told. Why did no one tell me? I’m about to leave, I would’ve looked like an idiot.
Dave: Honey, your phone has been ringing.
Aimee: Where did you come from?
Dave: I heard you scream “Are you kidding me?” and I had to check on you. Then I overheard the budget talk and remembered the phone was ringing while you were in the shower.
Aimee: This is unbelievable. I feel like I got punched in the gut.
Dave: Don’t take it so personally, Aimee. It wasn’t your budget.
Aimee: The problem is, I foolishly care about what happens to this country. Do you know how bad a shutdown would be?
Dave: I’m not in the government, but I imagine it’d be pretty bad.
Aimee: It would be a nightmare! It would impact so much, and it would be for no reason at all. This is a bipartisan budget! At least half the Republicans in the Senate were privately committed to voting for this!
Victoria: Can’t they still vote yes?
Aimee: The leader of the party, who had previously been in support of this, just knifed this bill before a national audience. Anyone that isn’t me or Lynette or Alec, you know, those that have been loudly beating the drum in public support of this budget, they’ll switch to a no vote now.
Victoria: How many votes do you need to override a veto?
Aimee: If all Democrats are on board, which is not certain since progressives were very upset about parts of this, then we’ll need seven Republicans. I can maybe name five that would break ranks, and then there’s the House to worry about.
Victoria: The Democrats are persuasive, they’ll get it done! Don’t worry!
Aimee: Oh, what a horrible thing to hear! False confidence! Believing in the Democrats! Ah!
Victoria: You don’t believe in them?
Aimee: You don’t work with them.
Victoria: I think they can sway a few select people to do the right thing.
Dave: And if not, you’re a Republican. You can talk to other Republicans.
Victoria: Sure. That’s always ended amazingly.
Later that morning, at work…
Denise: Aimee…
Aimee: I know. I know.
Lynette: Why would he do this?
Aimee: I’m furious! Oh my god! A shutdown? It’s Friday, the budget needs to be passed by Tuesday, there’s no time to write a new one.
Aimee: We’ll have to! I don’t know what to do.
Lynette: What sort of budget can pass a Dem Senate and get the president’s signature?
Alec: I have no clue what part of that bill made it a “Democrat activist budget?”
Aimee: We’re in hell. We naively believed that we should be elected officials, and that we could make a difference, and our cockiness has led to us being punished by God, sent to a political underworld where this sort of nonsense and tomfoolery keeps happening again and again. There’s no other explanation.
Lynette: It can still pass. I believe it.
Alec: How?
Denise: Aimee…
Lynette: I don’t know. We only need four other votes.
Alec: Six.
Lynette: Six?
Alec: Winifred’s a no, she said the budget doesn’t go far enough.
Lynette: Who’s the president right now, Winnie? Not Tammy Koobach, I’ll tell you that much.
Alec: It’s what she said in her press release this morning. I assume, if momentum grows among the moderate Republicans to override the veto, they’ll pressure her to change her mind and avoid a shutdown.
Aimee: Who’s the other Democrat no?
Alec: Sylvan.
Lynette: Oh, she’s an idiot! She’s a centrist, this is a perfect bill for her!
Alec: She just really loves screwing the Democrats over.
Lynette: I can’t say I love helping the Democrats much myself, but I’m not going to screw them over at the expense of the nation!
Alec: She has other priorities, she is merely here to troll.
Lynette: Arizona should’ve voted her out.
Alec: She’s basically like if Arizona were a person, I don’t think they regret this much.
Aimee: We can get six. Plenty of sensible people in the caucus yet. It’s the House I worry about.
Denise: Aimee!
Aimee: What?
Denise: I’ve been trying to tell you something since you got here.
Aimee: I thought it was about Delphy, and then I thought it was that Lynette and Alec were here.
Denise: No, and by the way, they didn’t even knock, they just barged right in and made themselves at home.
Aimee: I’d expect nothing else. So, what did you have to tell me?
Denise: Greg called, he wants a meeting of the top Republicans in leadership.
Aimee: No thank you! I don’t envision that ending well for me!
Denise: You can’t avoid them forever!
Lynette: What’s the worse that could happen?
Aimee I could tell them off for going along with tanking the perfectly acceptable budget plan that was hours away from passage.
Denise: Just bite the bullet, they know where you stand on this, everyone watching C-SPAN recently does.
Aimee: So all eight people?
Lynette: I watch C-SPAN a lot, don’t knock it!
Aimee: Of course you do.
Lynette: What’s that supposed to mean?
Alec: You just seem like someone who’d watch C-SPAN for fun.
Lynette: Guilty as charged!
Aimee: All right, gang. I have an awful meeting to get to, I’ll see you later. Don’t give up the faith, sanity can still prevail, and if not, still five days to avoid a shutdown!
Alec: Four.
Lynette: Really, only three after today.
Aimee: Okay, that’s enough. Nothing else to make me even more stressed about our government’s impending doom, please.
Ten minutes later…
Greg: Aimee, so glad you’re here!
Aimee: I know the gist of the meeting, but I am eager to learn the specifics. What’s our plan here?
Greg: Well, senator, I need you to serve as whip, because our whip refuses to comply with the wishes of the conference.
Geraldine: Excuse me?
Aimee: I feel like I’m walking in on something.
Geraldine: You’re walking in on the floor leader berating me for not wanting the government to shut down! That’s what you’re walking in on!
Greg: We have to abide by the present’s wishes.
Geraldine: We do not! There are checks and balances, one man doesn’t get to shut down the government just because he doesn’t like what’s in the budget! We compromise on these things, we deliberate, we negotiate!
Greg: The negotiating is over, this is our last chance to stop this extremist budget.
Geraldine: Gregory, you were in favor of this budget one day ago.
Greg: The president made me realize some of the concerning aspects of it.
Geraldine: Do I look like I was born yesterday?
Greg: I understand you disagree on this budget.
Geraldine: I don’t love the budget, it’s far from perfect, but my god, the Democrats have sixty seats! We are not in the drivers’ seat here. They worked with us, they were reasonable, I’m not shutting the government down because I don’t think a budget is perfect. It’s certainly not extremist. I won’t whip votes against it.
Aimee: Nor will I.
Greg: Aimee!
Aimee: I have principles, I have values. I am not letting this government shut down. I’d wish you luck, Greg, but that would be wishing to actively make our country worse. I’m off to try to make it better.
Later that day, Aimee returns to her office and calls Cherie.
Cherie: Aimee! Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane right now?
Kimmy: Mom, stop being pushy.
Cherie: I’m not being pushy.
Ernesto: You’re being a little pushy.
Aimee: She’s fine, I am supposed to be on a plane right now, and I’m obviously not. I’m sure you’ve all heard about the budget talks stalling.
Kimmy: The president’s an idiot!
Cherie: I can’t believe I voted for him! Never again! I’ll vote for a Democrat first, you know how horrifying that is for me to say.
Aimee: The president is, in fact, an idiot, and I’m actively working to prevent his idiocy from derailing the budget. A government shutdown would be a nightmare.
Kimmy: I agree. What are you going to do about it?
Aimee: Well, we’re all stuck here in DC trying to get a deal done before the deadline. The Democrats are already weighing their options, but from what Gwen says, they don’t think they’ll be able to agree on a new budget before the deadline. I’m talking with as many senators as I can to get them to vote to override the veto, but because of that, I won’t be home this weekend.
Cherie: Oh, Aimee!
Kimmy: Thank you for doing the right thing. You’re about the only one in that cursed party that I know always does.
Cherie: Lynette and Alec are on my side, too. I’m a little surprised, but so is Gerry. There’s still hope, and there’s sanity.
Kimmy: Not enough!
Ernesto: Well, good luck! Don’t you worry about us, we’re cheering you on from back home.
Cherie: But come home soon!
Ernesto: Only as soon as you’re ready! Focus on America first!
Aimee: Thank you all. I’ll do my best!
The next day, Aimee holds one-on-one meetings with a series of senators to pitch the budget to them.
Aimee: Look, I know that this budget isn’t perfect, it’s maybe a bit more liberal than you’re comfortable supporting, but this is about America. I get it, you have reservations. You are concerned about it not entirely matching your views. The president doesn’t like it, and he’s very powerful. I just say that you were on board two days ago, and you can be on board again if you put America before politics. I get it, it’s scary to override a veto. But if we don’t, the government shuts down. So many government workers are put out of work and furloughed. Agencies are shuttered. Things just stop working. This is a quintessential American moment. The country needs you to rise up. We need just a few Republicans to stand up and do the right thing. I’d rather stand up and say I defied the president than stand up and say I let the American people down and let our government fail. We’re here to make a difference. Pass the budget, then override his veto when the president sends it back to us. This is what we’re here for, to protect America in the tough moments. So what do you say?
Liza: Aimee, you were there for me when I wanted help for Alaska. You flew out to my state so you could be an advocate for us. You got it in the budget. I don’t want a shutdown. I’m going to vote yes.
Sharon Campbell: I’m more concerned about a shutdown than the president’s wrath. You’re right. The budget has my vote.
Olivia: Is Sharon voting for it? I don’t know if I can go for that?
Persephone: Ah, what the hell, the wacko caucus already hates me, let’s double down.
Harry: Aimee, if you can assure me that the House will vote to override the veto, I’ll be right there with you.
Later that day…
Victor: Colleagues, thank you all for coming. It’s a very special occasion. I know there’s a lot of tumult here right now, but one of our former colleagues is here to visit to ask about her new bill.
Aimee: Thank you, Victor, and I’m very sorry for this. I’m here under false pretenses. My fellow Republicans, this is a crucial moment for our country. I am begging you, use your senses and vote YES on the budget and YES on overriding the president’s veto! We can’t let one man control us, not when we have so many people relying on us to keep our government open and efficient. Be a hero! And if you won’t do it out of decency, do it to save the party! The president will be blamed directly for a shutdown, because it is absolutely his fault. It’s an election year, and our numbers are finally starting to rise. You know who flew in from the campaign trail just to vote on the budget? Eleanor Baum and Jenny Ross. The Democrats will nominate one of them, and they’ll hammer us on this in the election, and we’ll lose any power we’ve got.
The crowd starts booing her.
Carolyn: All of your, knock it off! She’s right! What does a shutdown do for us?
Victor: It stops extremism.
Carolyn: Oh, knock it off! You know me! Would I support an extreme left-wing budget? No! That’s not what this budget is, and if you didn’t all have blinders on for this president, you’d see that! We can go against him, especially when it’s clearly best for the country Come on!
Victor: Aimee, I think it’s best if you leave. We have a lot to discuss among our members.
Aimee: I’ve really said all I need to say. Thank you all, please just take what I said into consideration.
The next day, Aimee gets a call from Nanette.
Nanette: Senator Ferrera Donahue, I don’t know what you did -
Aimee: Oh no, is the budget dead?
Nanette: Not anymore! We have the votes for an override. Because of you!
Aimee: Because of me?
Nanette: You took it into your own hands and you spoke to them. You didn’t what I sure couldn’t do.
Aimee: I did not get a warm reception in that room, this is unbelievable. I’ve been sulking about this since last night.
Nanette: Sulk no more! All you have to do is get the Senate onboard.
Aimee: I’m pretty sure that’s a done deal already.
Nanette: Wow! Well, thanks! No shutdown, because of you!
Aimee: My pleasure! Just helping my country.
Aimee rushes down the hall and finds Gwen.
Aimee: Gwen, I did it. I got sixty-seven votes in the Senate. Nanette assures me she’s got the votes in the House.
Gwen: What?
Aimee: I did it! I saved the budget!
Gwen: I didn’t even know you had anything up your sleeve!
Aimee: I’m good!
Gwen: Yeah! I gotta tell Kate before they go on TV and announce a shutdown!
Aimee: I kinda saved America.
Gwen: Don’t get ahead of yourself, they don’t blow the whole country up if the budget’s not passed, the government just shuts down for a bit. It’s a real pain, and it’s good to avoid, but I don’t need you developing a hero complex.
Aimee: Don’t you worry about me.
The next day…
Mildred: On this vote, all senators having cast their vote, the ayes are sixty-seven, the nays are thirty-three, the veto is overridden, the budget is adopted.
Gwen: Aimee, I could kiss you.
Aimee: Try to control the urge, please.
Gwen: It’ll be difficult. I really didn’t believe this until I saw it with my own two eyes.
What did you think of the season finale of Evergreen Aimee? Let us know in the comments! Evergreen Aimee will return for season five in the fall!
