He won’t participate in the voting scheme if Birch will appoint Womack after forcing Rasmussen out (“A pretty good legacy, appointing the first black Majority Leader”) and… education. He approaches Birch to tell him about Rasmussen ’s scheme to take the speakership. And with the pieces in place, it’s time for Underwood to make his final moves for check mate. “It’s nice to see someone saddle up a gift horse.” Underwood offers keeping the base open and the opportunity to become the first black Majority Leader. Southeastern Pennsylvania may have just the situation, and it definitely houses the Congressman Underwood can convince to stand down. Instead he needs another base up for closure to simply fail to defend itself. The only issue? It’s too fishy for Underwood himself to publicly or on the record stomp for this. Underwood wants Womack’s support, and in exchange, he’ll offer a to help keep a base open within Womack’s district. And the quickest way to that? One man who can deliver 12: Terry Womack (D), leader of the black caucus. With the Speaker vote, they’d need 11 more votes even with Rasmussen on board.

With or without Rasmussen’s help, Stamper and Underwood devise a plan to undermine Birch (and his opposition to the education bill).

It will take all the Republicans and just thirteen Democrats they already have two right at their lunch table. Does Rasmussen ever want to be Speaker? As Underwood sees it, this is a very attainable position-voting out Birch is a simple matter of numbers. It feels a little like the Catherine Durant moment from episode one-Underwood has an offer to make about potential future positions. As we’ve come to expect, Underwood has a plan.Ī little later on in the same day, Underwood approaches House Majority Leader David Rasmussen (D). But Underwood now changes his tune-compromise would make the Oval Office look weak, and that can’t happen on his watch. Walker suggests compromising on a key point of disagreement: collective bargaining for teachers. All the running around makes it seem like education reform has a long journey ahead.īut this meeting circuit appears to come to an end when Underwood is faced with Vazquez and President Walker. He asks Vazquez to compromise and is denied. He asks Birch to compromise and is denied. Underwood gets caught between Birch and Vasquez. Like any good piece of legislation-there’s disagreement and push back. Now back in Washington, Underwood continues his push to be the man behind the successful bill by approaching Speaker of the House Bob Birch (D). No rotten fruit-like water tower can spoil what Frank Underwood is really waiting to ripen: education reform.

House of cards season 4 episode 8