- [last lines; Haffley is asking for a three percent cut in the federal budget]
- Speaker of the House Jeff Haffley: There is no next, sir. I mean, not to get too technical, but this government runs out of money at midnight, and my guys have gone home. This is it.
- President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet: No.
- Speaker of the House Jeff Haffley: There is no altering this offer, Mr. President.
- President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet: [standing up] And I said "no".
- Speaker of the House Jeff Haffley: Let's be clear, sir. We cannot... We *will* not vote to keep on footing the bill. You will be held responsible for shutting down the federal government.
- President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet: Then shut it down.
- Claudia Jean 'C.J.' Cregg: Okay, but I've got to be careful about saying "man."
- Toby Ziegler: Why, 'cause - ? Oh, c'mon!
- Claudia Jean 'C.J.' Cregg: You'd be surprised. I get letters.
- Toby Ziegler: Fine, "human being," then, or do the other mammals complain?
- Chief Justice Roy Ashland: Holmes, Oliver Wendell. Marshall. John or Thurgood, either one. I want Brandeis, Blackmun, Douglas. But you can't get them, can you? Because it's all compromises, now. The ones who have no record of scholarship, no body of opinions, nothing you can hold them to. That's who they'll confirm. Raging mediocrities. I have good days and bad. But on my worst days, I am better than the amped-up ambulance chasers you could get confirmed by this Senate. You can't do it, Jed. You're not strong enough. The Speaker's running the table, and I can't take a chance.
- Angela Blake: Another continuing resolution 'til Christmas is done.
- Josh Lyman: You gotta be kidding you let it drag on that long they'll try to de-fund the Yule Log.