FAQ

Half Indian ex-Green Beret Billy Jack (Tom Laughlin) is appointed to fill a vacancy in the US Senate created by a recently deceased senator. Supported by Arizona''s senior senator, Joseph Paine (E.G. Marshall), a longtime friend of his uncle, Billy's first goal is to write a bill to create a national children's camp along Willet Creek in Kerry Canyon, not knowing that corrupt politician Jim Bailey (Sam Wanamaker) has also chosen that spot as a site for a nuclear power plant....and that the Bailey Machine isn't about to let Billy and his bill get in the way.

Billy Jack Goes to Washington is basically a remake of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) (1939) with the Billy Jack character in place of Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was based on an unpublished story, variously titled 'The Gentleman from Montana' or 'The Gentleman from Wyoming' by American screenwriter Lewis R. Foster. Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor adapted it for the Billy Jack story.

After carrying on the filibuster for hours and hours, Billy finally gets what he's been waiting for...responses from his constituents. Unfortunately, the Bailey machine has twisted the responses so that, instead of support, Billy gets 50,000 manufactured letters and telegrams demanding that he yield the floor. Feeling exhausted and utterly defeated, Billy attempts to continue the filibuster but winds up fainting. Unable to take the whole character assassination any longer, Senator Paine shouts, 'Expel me! Everything Senator Jack says is true!' and admits to Jim Bailey's scheme. In the final scene, the chamber breaks out in a loud clamor and the President of the Senate tries to restore order then leans back in his chair and smiles.