Senate Cloakroom Cabal Read Online Free PDF Page A

drug.”
    â€œThe side-effects issue?” Crawford interrupted.
    The Senate president announced that the voting would start. The call of the roll commenced.
    â€œYes. I don’t understand why we’re involved at all. Besides, the clinical trials showed an overall survival advantage.”
    â€œWasn’t there something about it not clearing all the phases . . . ?” He let that hang.
    She explained. “Fred said there were anomalies in the double-blind tests on patients who have tried other sources of therapy or medication. I understood there were some minor problems, but not with the drug itself, only in combination with people being treated for other diseases. I’ve read where that’s not uncommon with drugs that are approved. It’s been noted, but left up to the patient’s doctor to work out, if they can. On people without that complication, the results of this drug were miraculous. Now Fred says the FDA believes they were hiding—”
    â€œI must admit,” he interrupted, “I haven’t been paying a lot of attention . . . I mean, if there are clear advantages between those who used the miracle drug and those who didn’t—” He interrupted himself. “Is there something here I’m not aware of?”
    â€œI don’t believe so,” she replied softly.
    â€œI tend to go with the leadership on issues. I’ll check it out. I’m meeting with Tom after the roll call; maybe I can find—”
    â€œSenator Crawford,” called the clerk.
    Crawford turned toward the dais. “Yea.” He turned back to Dalton, who had on a different face. He glanced in the direction she was looking and saw Kelly engrossed in conversation with Pembroke.
    â€œI’ll get back to you later,” she said, and walked up the aisle.
    What was that all about? Crawford sat at his desk. He had not been keeping up with the new drug. He’d ask Gordon about it, hoping his AA would know.

    Following Kelly’s vote, Crawford sought out the majority leader in the Cloakroom.
    Kelly dispensed with the niceties. He gave Crawford a broad-brush background, hitting hard on his concerns. It was a drug that Kelly didn’t name, but it fit into what Dalton had said.
    Pembroke had joined them.
    Kelly went on saying that the party needed unanimous support and that one senator was preventing that. “I’d like you to speak to this senator, Gavin, on behalf of the party.”
    What happened to the whip? Crawford thought. Pembroke nodded in affirmation to the various points Kelly was making. Crawford’s and Pembroke’s families were friends. Their second homes were locally in McLean, and they traveled in the same circles. A few times in heavy snow, he and Pembroke had carpooled, using Pembroke’s four-wheel-drive SUV. Crawford’s little hybrid was overly challenged in that type of weather.
    Kelly was saying, “We have to be extremely careful with this. We don’t want the FDA to rush approval on a so-called miracle drug only to find it is plagued with severe side effects.”
    â€œWhat about clinical trials?” Crawford asked.
    â€œThat’s just it,” Pembroke jumped in. “We aren’t sure about the validity of the testing.”
    Crawford realized that this had to be about the drug Dalton had mentioned. “What does the pharmaceutical say?”
    â€œWe need to support the FDA, have everyone on board,” Tom responded, ignoring Crawford’s question.
    That was a quick non-answer, he thought. “What about our friends across the aisle?”
    â€œThey feel there are more critical issues facing us right now and don’t want to get into a pissing match over one drug.”
    Crawford didn’t think that sounded like them.
    Kelly went on. “We have bigger fish to fry, such as prescription costs and Medicare discounts. We have a lot on our plate and don’t need any