Third in Line

Penny Chatham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and her husband take their three children to south Louisiana and Mississippi swamps, marshes, and nearshore waters on an inspection trip. Speaker Chatham's work modifying water flow in the Pearl River and flood water in the Mississippi River brought back wild oysters and other marine life in Louisiana and Mississippi estuaries. Due to the success of restoring estuary water, She and Louisiana's Senator Long sponsor a bill to restore coastal waters along the nation's coastlines. Their Sustainability Bill would also reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and work toward conversion of homes to become energy efficient through using regenerative technologies including photovoltaic panels that produce electricity. While on the inspection tour, the President and Vice President die. She becomes third in line to ascend to President but is gravely challenged by a group of wealthy businessmen.