Joe Kelley, a retired college professor, is drafted to run for the US Senate after the incumbent is caught in a sex scandal. His straight laced son Major Kevin fears if his dad wins he'll move in with him and his family.
Joe learns that the president's daughter had a $27,000 birthday party at taxpayer expense. Joe, as senator, wants to know why but his colleagues inform him to keep quiet.
As Joe tries to navigate his new job plus senate rules he finds his predecessor's aide Tony a great help. Together the two team up to stop a bill penalizing government employees living together.