American Tax Officer-Chapter 775 - 388: The Critical Vote_2

Despite having commanded both the FBI and CIA to implement contingency plans, he still couldn’t withstand the fear instilled by The Big Three Groups among the senators, which had caused them to become hesitant.

"Look, Senator Kosek is raising his hand!"

Just when the atmosphere in the meeting room was subdued and everyone was feeling uneasy, a cry of surprise interrupted their thoughts.

Everyone turned to look at the big screen, and sure enough.

After a long pause, another senator finally mustered the courage to stand up.

Although they still hadn’t reached the necessary number of votes.

But seeing this senator stand up had boosted the spirits of David and the others somewhat.

However, what surprised them even more followed as Senator Kosek bravely stepped forward, reigniting the atmosphere at the scene in the Senate.

Some senators, who had been hesitant before, also began to raise their arms one after another.

Soon, the previously stagnant vote count of 40 surged to 49.

Now, it was The Big Three Groups’ turn to feel uneasy, because with just two more votes in favor, they would be in trouble.

"Senator Hakon, I know what you’re worried about, but rest assured, please trust Inspector David, he will definitely ensure you and your family are safe!"

At the congressional scene, Raglen was persuading a senator behind him.

This senator, originally a staunch supporter of the bill, had yet to cast his vote.

Raglen was well aware of what the senator was worried about, so he tried to reassure him and persuade him to cast his vote.

Faced with Raglen’s urging, the senator named Hakon did not respond, but it was evident from his face that his mind was still racing.

Seeing this, Raglen had no choice but to continue, "Senator Hakon, The Big Three Groups, these parasites controlling our country’s economic lifelines for so many years, it’s time for them to change, and it’s the inevitable trend!"

"Even if you don’t vote, you can’t resist the current of the times, but if you do, you’ll be a supporter of this current of the times, leaving a significant mark in the history books."

"I, Inspector David, the Internal Revenue Service, and the vast public, will remember you, I hope you make the right choice..."

After Raglen’s passionate and reasoned plea, Hakon was finally persuaded, and he bit his lip and raised his arm.

Seeing this, Raglen breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, the nation watching was also boiling with excitement.

"50 votes now, just one last vote needed, our bill is about to pass!"

"Just one vote away, just one more senator, please raise your hand!"

"Oh my god, with just one more vote, our supported bill will pass through the Senate, we’re about to witness this great moment!"

Aside from those in front of televisions and online.

At that moment, the atmosphere inside the Internal Revenue Service Headquarters had suddenly become tense.

Almost all the top officials stood up anxiously, including David among them.

They knew this was a decisive moment.

Just one more vote, and the bill to which they had dedicated so much effort, would pass the Senate!

And this would also mark a moment of reformative nature in the 160 years since the establishment of the Internal Revenue Service!

It might even be said to be a moment that could enter the annals of American history!

Senado Island

Seeing the vote count reach 50, countless members of the Freemasonry started to panic.

Throughout these days, they had spent vast amounts of money, resources, and energy to try to prevent the passage of this bill.

But despite having gone to these lengths, had they still failed to stop it?

Always used to profiting off others, were they now about to face being counter-profitable by the Internal Revenue Service?

Oh no!

That was utterly unacceptable!

Countless members of Freemasonry, with hysteria in their hearts, eyes bloodshot, stared at the big screen, bracing for the judgment of fate that would follow.

At the same time, members from the Ansa Group and the Illuminati clenched their fists, eyes also bloodshot, staring at the big screen, preparing to face this moment of heaven or hell under numerous watchful eyes.

At the Senate scene at this moment, the atmosphere was still frozen to the extreme.

Of course, the most tensed among them were Raglen and his group.

Although they only needed one more vote for the tax avoidance bill to pass the Senate,

that one vote, as they looked around the venue, had yet to see anyone raise their hand.

And if the vote count stayed the same, although it wasn’t the worst outcome for them, it was still quite troublesome.

Time passed by the second.

Until ten minutes passed, the next Senator to declare their position was still nowhere to be seen.

According to the Senate time rules, it was already time to make a statement.

So the always tensed Grace stood up and spoke, "The current count in favor of the bill is 50 votes, does any colleague wish to declare?"

After these words, the scene was still dead silent.

Although Raglen and others were anxious, after looking around and finding no one else raising their hand, they were powerless, and could only stare in frustration.

"Alright, since no one else is voting, we will take a recess now, and prepare to enter the Vice President’s declaration phase!"

As mentioned before, the House of Congressman has 435 seats, meaning 435 votes, and any bill can pass with more than 218 favorable votes.

But the Senate is different, having only 100 seats and 100 votes.

So, when there is a tie of 50 votes against 50 votes.

At that time, what is needed is arbitration. So where is that deciding vote?

The answer lies in the hands of the American Vice President!

Because the Vice President of America is not only the Vice President; he also serves concurrently as the President of the Senate.

But it’s worth mentioning that there is a significant difference between the Senate President and the House Speaker.

The House Speaker can wield significant influence within the House, sometimes even possessing the ultimate authority over a bill.

However, the Senate President is different.

This position is generally merely ceremonial, without any guiding or administrative power over the Senate’s proceedings.

Unless a special situation arises, and that special situation is when a bill’s vote count reaches 50 versus 50.

Although in the many years of American history, this situation of a 50-50 vote is not very common, it is not unheard of.

And today, concerning this tax avoidance bill, such a situation had coincidentally occurred.

It must be said it was unexpected by many.

...

"Damn it, how could this happen!"

"50 votes to 50 votes, why did such a situation arise?"

"Shit, didn’t we still have 58 votes yesterday, how come today it’s stuck here, which eight bastards didn’t vote?"

"..."

At the Internal Revenue Service Headquarters, once Grace announced the movement to the Vice President’s declaration segment, all the executives immediately began cursing furiously.

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Having reached 50 votes, seeing that they were just one vote short of success, the delay in getting that last crucial vote naturally disgusted them like swallowing a fly.

"Although it’s unexpected, if you think about it, it’s understandable..."

Welton Heng’s words interrupted everyone’s thoughts, and all eyes turned towards him curiously.

"Think about it, The Big Three Groups, in their efforts to prevent these Senators from voting, have even resorted to threats and kidnapping, and now that the vote count has reached 50, whoever casts this one vote will be decisive, so even if there are still supporters within the Senate for me, who would dare to be the one to stick their neck out before that 51st vote is cast?"

Upon hearing Welton Heng’s explanation, everyone suddenly realized.

Indeed, now that there are already 50 votes, whoever casts this next vote will be making a historical moment.

If it were an ordinary bill, Senators would surely be scrambling to cast this 51st vote, to grab the spotlight from all over the nation.

However, the offshoring tax bill is different, The Big Three Groups have almost pledged their lives to stop this bill.

Thus, which Senator would dare to step forward to cast this 51st vote, they would immediately become the most hated person by The Big Three Groups.

So, it’s not that their faction suddenly had so many defectors, it’s just that before the 51st vote was cast, the remaining supporters didn’t dare to stand out, choosing to protect their own interests instead!