The End: Thursday and Friday

Thursday I continued my role as a runner. On the democratic side, there are so many of us that if you complete 5 or so runs before lunch, you cannot do any more. They try to spread them out so one or two people aren't doing all the runs while others sit. I did a handful before and after lunch so that I would keep my tally relatively low, while not leading in runs either. It paid off. In the hour and a half before we got off work, I completed seven runs to the office building. Friday, I worked votes. They debated the healthcare bill earlier in the week but the vote was pushed until after the recess. They voted on the appropriations to the department of the interior "and all related agencies" before lunch with a series of amendments that were not completed the previous night. I made a few runs after lunch and dinner and grabbed the spot to work the democratic page desk for late-shift. From 5 to 7ish, I had numerous runs called in and we were extremely busy. Many of the offices were getting their runs in before the vote on the cap-and-trade energy bill that they debated after dinner while I worked the desk. One congressman called it and I quote "most historic piece of legislation to come to the floor in the last one-hundred year." The press gallery was full and the gallery was full of tour groups while the congressmen debated the crucial bill. The importance of the energy bill was show in the number of congressmen that were in attendance. Usually there's maybe five to ten or so while there is a debated and all their staffers. On Friday night, the staffers were sitting on the railings of the house floor because it was so crowded. John Boehner, the minority leader, brought a 300+ paged amendment to the floor and read it for an hour and a half to inact a filibuster. Many of the offices were freaking out and calling me to ask why he was able to do so. He was able to do so because leaders are given an uncapped amount of time. When finished speaking, the democrats started yelling and screaming and scolded the republicans when something so important to debate was being made a joke. After the chaotic debate, The bill had passed with a vote of 219-212. Even with seeing the fact how this law could damage industries, this law will not just force companies to think gree, but act green. It was a fitting end for my page experience to witness something so historic while being on the floor in my final night. I worked until 8 on my and we ate pizza in the members' lounge. I took my last walk home with Blair, Sam, and Mrs. Gremillion. Once I stepped my foot onto the pavement, I felt a raindrop on my forehead. It had begun to rain.