Summary: Francis "Frank" Underwood is an ambitious Democratic congressman from South Carolina and member of the House majority. Frank helped secure the election of President Garrett Walker, who promised to make Frank Secretary of State. Frank believes that the give-and-take mentality of Washington D.C. politicians will pay off in the end and that he will soon receive a reward for his faithful service to Walker. However, before Walker is sworn in, Walker's chief of staff announces that Walker will not honor the agreement and will instead nominate Senator Michael Kern. Frank is then told that the White House wants him to continue helping the administration from within the House of Representatives, starting with work on an education reform bill. Furious at Walker's betrayal, Frank and his wife Claire, an environmental activist, make a pact to destroy Walker, starting with Kern. Frank begins looking for pawns in his war against Walker. When troubled Congressman Peter Russo is arrested for drunk driving, Frank offers him a reprieve in exchange for his loyalty, covering up the incident by bribing the commissioner with funds for his political ambitions. Frank also meets Zoe Barnes, a young political reporter for the Washington Herald newspaper. The two come to an agreement whereby Frank will provide Zoe with inside information that will further Zoe's stagnant career, and will give Frank a scapegoat to provide incriminating information to destroy his adversaries. He begins by leaking a copy of the first draft of Donald's (a key figure in education policy) education bill which proposes massive increases in government control over education, immediately causing a scandal one day after the inauguration. ... middle of paper ...... suddenly doesn't send him to evaluate Raymond Tusk, a multibillionaire living modestly in St. Louis. But after staying with him, Frank eventually discovers deeper ties between Tusk and the president and discovers that he is the one being controlled. Tusk offers to support him in exchange for an unspecified favor, but Frank refuses. Meanwhile, Janine and Zoe's persistence begins to pay off as they begin to figure out the conspiracy surrounding Frank and Russo. Frank meets Tusk again and reaches a lodging; the President offers him the position of VP and he accepts. Claire discovers that Gillian is suing her for wrongful dismissal and for refusing any settlement. Also consult a doctor about possible fertility treatments. Claire fires Gillian. Meanwhile, Zoe, Lucas, and Janine discover Rachel's identity and begin to piece together more of Frank's plots..