The hearings continued, one after another.
But Leo Wallace appeared at the witness stand less and less frequently.
The toughest battle had been fought and won in the first hearing. All that remained were bureaucratic procedures concerning the distribution of benefits and technical details.
That was Sanders and Murphy's battlefield. Leo didn't yet have the standing to participate in the Senators' deal-making.
The bill had taken on a life of its own.
It no longer needed Leo's push. The momentum of the interests involved would carry it forward.
So, Leo chose to stay out of the spotlight.
He stayed in his hotel room, watching the live broadcasts as the vast legislative machine rumbled on, following the course he had charted.
On Thursday night, the hearing phase finally concluded.
The bill entered the final review and amendment phase.
It was a long and tedious process.
