Chapter 849 Preparing for the Hearing

1995 passed quietly in a busy way. The singer did not have a long New Year holiday. On the night of the 31st, Song Ya went to participate in a New Year's Eve commercial performance in Chicago. At the same time, Mariah Carey was also in Times Square, New York Participate in New Year's Eve.

In the days before and after, Song Ya also participated in the New Year's event of the Chicago fan club, some social tasks such as dinner parties of local charity and human rights organizations, etc., and was very busy.

"Everything is going well, I like how everything is going smoothly and steadily."

He smiled at Ms. Sloan, who returned to work after the holidays.

"Then congratulations." Ms. Sloan handed him a document, "This is the manuscript I prepared for you to respond to congressional inquiries, which basically covers all the situations you may encounter."

"Wow, it's so thick."

Song Ya padded the weight of this document, "Have to memorize everything?"

"No, time is too late. The hearing on the 9th, and the House of Representatives will vote on the telecommunications bill on the 14th."

Sloan leaned over and taught, "You just need to remember where you can find the answer. When the time comes, put the document on the table in front of you and spread it out for easy reading."

"Open book exam ah?" Song Ya turned her head and joked, their faces were very close.

"Of course, when the time comes, Hamlin and I will sit on your left and right hands. If you have any questions, please ask us immediately."

Sloan didn't respond, and demonstrated businessfully: "Be careful to keep your words short, cover the microphone with one hand, and cover the mouth with the other hand, like this. Prevent our private conversations from being picked up, and don't let people use lip reading. way to guess what you're talking about."

"Some journalists will deliberately secretly film the words on your documents, and they will get very close to you at that time," Hamlin added.

"It's a bit like being interrogated. Will there be an accident?" They were so serious that Song Ya was embarrassed to laugh.

"Won't."

Sloan replied: "Based on a professional and rigorous attitude, 99.9% will not, because the telecommunications bill is basically promoted by all major companies in related industries. Your hearing is just a formality. According to me According to the intelligence, no more than fifty members of the House of Representatives are expected to vote against it."

"Wow, a brilliant victory for the commander-in-chief." Song Ya sighed.

"Mr. Underwood, the whip, also has a lot to offer.

’ said Hamlin, ‘didn’t you see his lady yesterday? What did Claire say. "

"Claire is of course optimistic, but it's not convenient to tell me anything specifically." Song Ya replied.

"Yeah?"

Ms. Sloan watched him closely. "Politicians, as far as I know, are very honest in private with big donors, especially when it comes to Congress."

"Uh, you found out! Can you tell me?"

Song Ya asked Hamlin, and after getting a nod, he said to Sloan: "Claire said that Underwood was dreaming that the bill would pass unanimously. Is this a hint?"

"Of course!" Sloan's eyes lit up. "So Mr. Party Whip's judgment on the situation is more optimistic than mine. Maybe the number of negative votes will not exceed thirty, or even twenty."

"Who should I listen to?" Song Ya asked.

"Of course it's him. I'm just a humble lobbyist wandering around Capitol Hill." Sloan laughed at himself. "This way you don't have to worry. Of course, pay attention to stand firm."

She tapped on the document, "You were summoned by the House of Representatives Hearing Committee as the chairman of the Inner City Broadcasting Company. Don't tout the bill too much just to please the Grand Commander and Underwood."

"I know that the Inner City Broadcasting Company is just a small media group. During the hearing, I have to respond to questions from the perspective of small and medium-sized media. I cannot be a traitor in everyone's eyes."

Ms. Sloan has already reminded me repeatedly of this point, and Song Ya recited: "I will doubt that the passage of this bill will definitely intensify industry mergers and reduce the living space of small and medium media."

"Yes, but don't forget to say that you also believe that reform is imperative, and that some change is better than no change," Hamlin reminded.

"That is, I don't want to offend the Grand Commander, Underwood or even Comcast."

Song Ya said with a smile: "The inner city broadcasting company has long stopped making money. It would be best if there are big companies asking for it after the bill is passed."

"Are you willing to sell?" Sloan was a little surprised. "This company has given you great energy in the media industry. Don't forget the reason why you were able to drive away Motura again..."

"I know I know, I just think of him losing money every year..."

Song Ya waved his hand, "Forget it, let's not talk about this, is there anything else to pay attention to?"

Although I was a little surprised to be summoned by the House of Representatives, this was a very meaningful "New Year's appearance" for me. As the chairman of a media group, not a singer attending such a serious and important political occasion, I feel good when I think about it.

"It's mainly about etiquette. Don't smile, joke, or spit dirty words during the whole process."

Sloan continued to instruct, "Sit upright, behave dignifiedly, and answer the questions on the matter immediately after the congressman's question is over. Articulate clearly, and don't use African-American slang, er, white slang..."

"At the end of the answer, add a sentence of thank you, Mr. Congressman, or Mr. and Madam, or say 'OK, Mr. Congressman' at the beginning. It is best to put the other party's last name in front of it. There will be a name card in front of each congressman's seat."

Hamlin said: "In the past two days, you should study how other entrepreneurs behaved in the hearings. Ms. Sloan has prepared several videos for you. Of course, I have great confidence in your ability to imitate aplus."

"Okay okay."

Song Ya was as good as he was, and made up his mind first, "Why don't we hold a mock hearing? Amy, help me get a suit!" He walked over and opened the door and shouted.

"Okay." Amy Ake, who was still wearing a serious maid outfit, helped bring in a suit.

"I'm sitting like this, right?" Song Ya put on her suit and straightened her face.

Ms. Sloan followed the youthful and lively Amy Ake out of the door, "Yes, the rostrum of the hearing will be higher, you need to raise your head a little bit, no, just lower it, it's not that high."

"Okay, Mr. Congressman." Song Ya put her arms on the table and put them down again, "Thank you, Mr. Congressman."

"Very well, it's better to have a lower voice." Hamlin laughed.

"Ahem, Mr. Congressman." Song Ya cleared her throat and adjusted.

"If, I mean, if that one-tenth of one percent of the unexpected happens, then you don't have to panic, just talk about it, you're good at it, I know."

Ms. Sloan said: "Many congressmen who come to ask questions do not have much professional knowledge. Sometimes they ask stupid questions. Don't be hot-headed, ridiculed, ironic or forceful. You must be polite and don't make long speeches. Speeches, or playing the discrimination card. It’s just a formality hearing, and you can get a passing grade if you don’t accidentally mess up the time, that’s all.”

"If there is a 0.0001% chance that you will be pressed by a congressman and you will never be able to respond positively, you can still invoke the Fifth Amendment. There is a whole set of rhetoric," Hamlin said.

"Given the advice of legal counsel, I am sorry that I cannot answer your question, but I have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution."

Ms. Sloan taught it again, and she said at the same time: "But after you say this sentence, you can no longer answer any questions from the congressmen, because if you answer any question again, it will be deemed that you have voluntarily given up this position." that power."

"Of course that's the worst and most unexpected scenario, and we hope you never, ever, ever use that phrase until the last moment. No, not at all, we're just doing our duty as lawyers and political consultants This option tells you that you have a right to know, but our advice is never to use it," Hamlin added.

"Yes, because uttering this sentence often means disobedience to the will of the hearing and the parliament, and the investigation of the incident by the law enforcement agency against your refusal to answer will begin immediately." Sloan said.

"I understand, I understand, so this matter is still risky, right?" Song Ya was a little flustered by the sudden solemnity of the two, and her foundation was far from completely clean.

"Relax, we're just obligated to let you know."

The two teachers frightened and coaxed like parents.

"Boss, it's time." Taraji opened the door and came in to remind him.

Sloan turned on the TV, and the picture happened to show Alicia standing on the steps of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield with her husband Peter and a pair of children holding the Bible in both hands.

The inauguration of Peter Flock begins.

Thousands of politicians, supporters, and journalists braved the severe cold to attend the ceremony, and the atmosphere was very solemn and solemn.

"I am both ashamed and honored to be your governor, and I am beyond words. I realize that my election rests on the trust and hope that everyone's..."

Pressing the Bible with one hand, Peter Flock raised one palm and read out the oath of office and governance platform, "I will work hard to lighten the burden on the people of Illinois. Still optimistic, I've never been afraid of the struggle, the hard work. We're hopeful..."

"Sometimes I feel that we are any different from the religious countries we attacked? The commander-in-chief must follow the Bible when he swears, and the governor must also..." Song Ya stared at Alicia and complained.

"Haha, don't say such things aplus at the hearing." Hamlin laughed.