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Chapter 31: A New Alliance
Senator Warren’s chief of staff, a man named David Kingsley, called Coleman’s office directly.
"Robert, what the hell are you doing?" Kingsley’s voice on the phone was filled with anger. "I asked you to handle a small matter, and you’ve turned it into a national media circus!"
"All the press is covering how that Democrat Murphy is fighting for Pittsburgh’s working class! You’re putting Senator Warren in a very awkward position! Do you know he’s up for re-election? You’re helping our enemies!"
At this moment, Deputy Secretary Coleman was at a loss for words.
He had intended to block the application to curry favor with Senator Warren and pave the way for his own political future.
Instead, he had set himself ablaze, turning into a laughingstock and a target for Democratic attacks.
If he continued to block the application, he would have to endure endless phone harassment and media criticism every day.
But if he approved the application now, he would offend Senator Warren and the powerful interest groups behind him.
Just as he was at his wit’s end, unsure of what to do—
His secretary, the new intern, knocked and entered.
She handed Coleman an official document that had just arrived.
It was a formal inquiry letter from the House of Representatives, signed by Congressman John Murphy.
Congressman Murphy had formally invoked Congress’s oversight authority over federal executive agencies.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development was required to submit a complete, detailed written report on the processing of the "Pittsburgh Urban Revival Plan" application to the relevant oversight committee within three days.
Furthermore, Deputy Secretary Coleman was required to personally appear before Congress the following week to answer questions in a public hearing.
Coleman stared at Murphy’s flamboyant signature on the inquiry letter.
He knew he could no longer suppress this issue.
What had started as an internal administrative problem within a department had escalated to the level of Congress.
Robert Coleman was well aware that if he were to stand before Congress for questioning, he would become a sacrificial lamb for political slaughter.
Democratic lawmakers would portray him as a cold-hearted bureaucrat obstructing the Rust Belt’s revival.
And his fellow Republican senators, to distance themselves from him and Senator Warren, would offer no protection.
He would be humiliated by both parties, and his political career would come to an end.
To avoid this terrifying outcome, he immediately chose to back down.
The next morning, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proactively contacted Congressman Murphy’s office.
On the phone, Coleman’s tone was full of apology and friendliness.
He claimed that after an "urgent re-review" within their department, they discovered that rejecting Pittsburgh’s application was entirely a "technical misunderstanding."
It was due to a new intern misinterpreting the latest internal guidelines.
He also stated that Pittsburgh’s application report was excellent and fully compliant with all federal regulations.
They would immediately "expedite the processing" of the application.
And at the start of the next fiscal quarter, they would officially allocate the first tranche of funds to Pittsburgh’s Urban Revival Commission.
A federal grant of $2.5 million was miraculously approved.
In the eyes of the media and the public, all this was naturally credited to Congressman Murphy’s brave fight.
He immediately flew back to Pittsburgh and held a high-profile press conference in front of City Hall.
Standing at the podium, he joyfully announced the good news.
He specifically invited Leo onto the stage and, in front of all the media cameras, shook Leo’s hand tightly.
"Let me introduce this young man, Leo Wallace!" Murphy announced loudly. "It is his intelligence and courage that have won back the respect and support Pittsburgh deserves! He is the hope of Pittsburgh’s future!"
After the press conference, Leo was invited into Murphy’s luxurious RV.
The door closed.
Murphy’s smile disappeared.
He looked at Leo with a complex expression.
"You kid…" He shook his head. "How did you manage to turn the entire Department of Housing and Urban Development upside down and make old fox Coleman cough up the money?"
"I now truly believe you can help me win this damn primary."
Under Roosevelt’s guidance, Leo remained humble yet resolute.
"Congressman, I merely conveyed the voice of Pittsburgh’s people to where it needed to go."
"I’ve proven my value to you. Now, it’s your turn to fulfill your promise."
Murphy nodded.
"Of course," he said. "For the upcoming primary, I need you and your Heart of Pittsburgh to fully support my campaign. You need to organize your union friends to secure enough blue-collar votes for me."
"In return, I will not only ensure that the $2.5 million reaches your committee’s account in full, but I will also introduce you to someone truly important."
He lowered his voice.
"The Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Independent Senator from Vermont, Daniel Sanders."
Leo’s heart began to race.
Daniel Sanders.
This name was almost iconic among progressive youth nationwide.
An open democratic socialist, he had been advocating for the working class and the poor for decades.
He wielded immense influence in the Senate.
"Senator Sanders has been looking for a political face to represent the new generation of the Rust Belt," Murphy said. "He will love your story. He will become your strongest ally in Washington."
"Accept it," Roosevelt’s voice echoed in Leo’s mind. "Murphy is just a stepping stone for us to enter Washington. Senator Sanders is the real bridge that will take us to the national stage. From today onward, we officially have our first heavyweight ally in Washington."
Leo extended his hand to Murphy.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Congressman."
The money issue was resolved.
A crack had been opened in the door to Washington.
Leo stood in the shabby office of the Urban Revival Commission.
He looked at the long string of zeros about to appear in his office’s bank account.
He realized he finally possessed the power Roosevelt spoke of—the power to control resources.
He was no longer just a street protester.
He had become a builder holding millions of dollars in funds and urban revival projects.
On Mayor Cartwright’s desk lay the front page of The Pittsburgh Chronicle.
It featured a large photo of Murphy and Leo shaking hands warmly.
Cartwright’s face was as dark as Pittsburgh’s leaden winter sky.
He realized he had made an irreparable mistake.
He had personally let a hungry lion cub into a backyard full of fat antelopes.
Roosevelt’s voice echoed in Leo’s mind, filled with amusement.
"Well, child."
"Our base now has money, projects, and backing from Washington."
"Now, it’s time to show all of Pittsburgh how we spend our money."
"A great show is about to begin."
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