The 115th Congress-Washington 2017

[Greater Arab State]

Senate Floor

Senator Kramer: "Seconded."

[Imperial Esplanade]

House Chamber

Freeman, pausing momentarily to shuffle through the papers on his desk, seeking the copy of the text of the SAVE Act he had been provided, took the time to studiously read through it, then glanced up to vocalize his vote. "Aye."

[Alozia]

House Floor

Rep. Caldwell: "Aye"

[Bruke]

House Floor-Chair

"Without a second, the motion to suspend the rules and take up the Daylight Savings Time Expansion Act fails. With a second, and objection, the motion to suspend the rules and take up the SAVE Act shall be put to vote. This House shall move into voting procedure."

Morton: “Aye.”

[Prolieum]

House Floor

Rep. Appleby: "Nay."

[Prolieum]

Senate Floor-Chair

"Without objection, the motion passes. The Chair invites the Senator from Florida to lay out the bill."

[Prolieum]

Senate Floor

Zipporah took a breath to steady herself, but felt poised and confident as she stepped forward to lay out the Amendment.

"Thank you, Mr. President." Hazelelponi replied, and proceeded to lay out the bill.

Official Name: Proposing An Amendment to the Pardon Power of the Constitution of the United States

Overview: That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.

Section 1: The granting of pardons by the President of the United States in cases of treason shall require the confirmation of two-thirds of the members of the Senate present and voting before coming into effect.

"This amendment is a simple one, in plain language, and I won't waste this chamber's time by carrying on for too long here," she opened. "The pardon power, as it was laid out in the Constitution, is very expansive, it gives basically unlimited leeway to the President to pardon for federal crimes. Whether the pardon power should be that extensive can be up for debate, but in the most serious cases at the very least, it's clear that some kind of oversight is needed. When it comes to treason against the United States, a serious crime not against another person or their property but against our entire nation, pardons cannot be given lightly, and the possibility of any treasonous group managing to be let off without judgment by a sweeping action of a President is grim to think of. This body has the authority to approve of treaties and agreements affecting this nation by a supermajority vote, and this amendment would require a supermajority to confirm any pardon of an individual in a case of treason, making sure that anyone let off for it has sufficient judgment to make sure that it is for valid reasons."

"Thank you, Mr. President, I yield to questions."

[Prolieum]

Senate Floor-Chair

"The floor is open to questions."

[Tallahassee News Station]

Stevenson-Aye
Jared-Nay

[Sanabel]

Senate Floor

Alphonsey speaks. "I would like to introduce the following legislation for the docket."

Standing Against Corruption ActNickname: SACA

Overview: Give the low trust in the integrity of the United States Congress and government writ large, this legislation seeks to take action. It ends the "revolving door" of public power and lobbying, requires politicians to divest information that could indicate a conflict of interest, and cracks down on corruption. This legislation also empowers the enforcement power of the US Office of Congressional Ethics to that end.

Section 1: The United States Government is experiencing a trust deficit. This has been exacerbated by the Crashes of 2012 and 2016, and the Dudley strike. The intersection of public and private power has led to fewer than one in five American citizens holding faith in the United States Congress in particular.


Section 2: This Act and the amendments herein shall come into effect one year following its enactment.


Section 3: Lobbyist Restriction
3.a. No former registered lobbyist, corporate lobbyist, individual granted a Federal Contract/License, or actor who has engaged in a lobbying contract as defined in the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 may be hired by an executive agency during a 5 year period following the termination of their status.
3.a.i. This ban may be waived on a case by case basis by the President with the consent and approval of the Senate by majority vote for the purpose of national need.

3.b. No former registered lobbyist, corporate lobbyist, individual granted a Federal Contract/License, or actor who has engaged in a lobbying contract as defined in the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 may be hired onto the staff of any Member or Committee of the United States Congress during a 5 year period following the termination of their status.
3.b.i. This ban may be waived on a case by case basis by the by an individual member with the consent and approval of the Senate or House Ethics Committee by majority vote for the purpose of national need.
3.b.ii. Any waiver under Section 3.a. will be made publicly accessible including justification for said waiver. This includes access on the website of the Member of Congress or the Committee to which the waiver applies.

3.c. No executive of any entity that has broken any civil or financial law may be hired by any branch of the United States Government.

3.d. No individual may be granted registration as a lobbyist or corporate lobbyist within 6 years leaving public office as an official under the Executive branch or Member of the United States Congress.

3.e. No individual may be granted a Federal Contract/License within 6 years of leaving public office.


Section 4: Curtailing and Mitigating Corruption
4.a. All Members of the United States Congress and employees of said Members are hereby required to disclose their personal investment holdings in stocks, bonds, futures, commodities, or any other securities and make the information publicly accessible during and after the electoral process.
4.b. No Members of the United States Congress or employees of said Members may purchase stocks, bonds, futures, commodities, or any other securities on which their position may have an impact.
4.b.i. Any investments that are made must be public and easily accessible online.
4.b.ii. In case of doubt, the US Office of Congressional Ethics may by prompted to investigate, and recommend action by the US Congressional Ethics Committees if necessary.

4.c. Any pensions, stock bonuses, or any future payment plans held by Members of the United States Congress on the basis of past private positions are to be rendered public information and are subject to investigation by the US Office of Congressional Ethics.

4.d. No Executive branch official or Member of the United States Congress may hold any position of any kind within a corporate entity while holding public office.
4.d.i. Section 4.d is not applicable to positions within a "Small Business," defined as a corporate entity with gross tax receipts of under $5,000,000 in the previous year.

4.e. No private entity granted a Federal Contract/License may employ a former official of the Executive Branch or Member of the United States Congress until 6 years has elapses since the individual left office.


Section 5: Transparency

5.a. The US Office of Congressional Ethics shall make public any official who has had a report made in accordance with title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

5.b. Tax returns of Members of Congress must be submitted to the US Office of Congressional Ethics on a yearly basis.
5.b.i. A secure method of the process in article 5.b. must be designed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

5.c. Any information involved in articles 3 through 4 must be made publicly accessible via the website of any Member of Congress.

5.d. The voting record of any Member of Congress must be displayed on the website of any Member of Congress.


Section 6: Penalties

6.a. The United States Attorney General or any official acting in that capacity must bring civil action in any appropriate District Court against any individual who consciously fails to meet the requirements of this legislation, should the Congressional Ethics Committees fail to take appropriate action.
6.a.i. Individuals found guilty of violating the aforementioned requirements or falsifying the aforementioned information are subject to up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

6.b. Corporations, banks, or other private organizations knowingly aiding and abeiting in the violation of the articles of this legislation are subject to a civil penalty of up to 10% gross profits of the preceding year.

6.c. The Office of Congressional Ethics will hereby require a 3/4 majority from both the House and Senate for a change in the rules regarding the Office's budget, structure, or functions.
6.c.i. The budget of the Office of Congressional Ethics is to increase from $200,000 to $400,000 per calendar year to account for an increase in function following the passage of this legislation.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States Senate for consideration in order to restore governmental integrity and curtail corruption to improve the United States Law and is backed by Senator Reginaldo Alphonsey of California and Senator Edgar Brankers of Washington on (insert the date)

Do Not Remove: 1337

[Dentali]

Samara: Aye
Anderson: Aye
Emberton: Aye

[Dentali]

Samara: I'd like to submit the following bill for consideration

Official Name: Equality in Housing Act of 2017

Sponsor: Representative Jason Samara, Representative Nicole Smith, Representative Frank Johnson, Representative Henry Caldwell, Representative Eleanor McCroskey

Overview: Amends the Fair Housing Act to include discrimination based on gender, sex and sexual orientation.

Section 1: The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended.

A) “Race”, “color”, “religion”, “sex”, “sexual orientation”, “gender identity”, “handicap”, “familial status”, or “national origin”, used with respect to an individual, includes—
(1) the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, handicap, familial status, or national origin, respectively, of another person with whom the individual is associated or has been associated; and
(2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, concerning the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, handicap, familial status, or national origin, respectively, of the individual.
B) Gender Identity” is defined as the gender-related identity, appearance or mannerisms which characterize an individual.
C) “Sexual Orientation” is defined as enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to other persons or a lack thereof.
Section 2: Section 901 of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 is amending by inserting “gender identity, sexual orientation” after “Sex” in each place the term appears

This bill is then honorably presented to The House of Representatives for consideration in order to Ensure Fair Housing and to improve the United States Law and is backed by Representative Jason Samara, Representative Nicole Smith, Representative Frank Johnson, Representative Henry Caldwell, and Representative Eleanor McCroskey on June 14th 2017

Do Not Remove: 1337

[Prolieum]

House Floor-Chair

"With all votes tallied, the measure passes. The Chair invites the Representative from New York to lay out the bill."

[Prolieum]

Senate Floor-Chair

"Are there any questions from the floor?"

[Greater Arab State]

Senate Floor

Senator Kramer: "Mr. President, I motion to end questioning."

[The Orion Islands]

Senate Floor

Zipporah took a breath to steady herself, but felt poised and confident as she stepped forward to lay out the Amendment.

"Thank you, Mr. President." Hazelelponi replied, and proceeded to lay out the bill.

Official Name: Proposing An Amendment to the Pardon Power of the Constitution of the United States

Overview: That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States.

Section 1: The granting of pardons by the President of the United States in cases of treason shall require the confirmation of two-thirds of the members of the Senate present and voting before coming into effect.

"This amendment is a simple one, in plain language, and I won't waste this chamber's time by carrying on for too long here," she opened. "The pardon power, as it was laid out in the Constitution, is very expansive, it gives basically unlimited leeway to the President to pardon for federal crimes. Whether the pardon power should be that extensive can be up for debate, but in the most serious cases at the very least, it's clear that some kind of oversight is needed. When it comes to treason against the United States, a serious crime not against another person or their property but against our entire nation, pardons cannot be given lightly, and the possibility of any treasonous group managing to be let off without judgment by a sweeping action of a President is grim to think of. This body has the authority to approve of treaties and agreements affecting this nation by a supermajority vote, and this amendment would require a supermajority to confirm any pardon of an individual in a case of treason, making sure that anyone let off for it has sufficient judgment to make sure that it is for valid reasons."

"Thank you, Mr. President, I yield to questions."

Senator Wilson: "Do you believe that President Reed has abused his power with Raindien?"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

---

Securing Appanages for Victims Eternally Act

The House of Representatives
Washington
District of Columbia

---

Eleanor was pleasantly surprised before rising to offer her speech.

Official Name: Securing Appanages for Victims Eternally Act
Nickname: SAVE Act

Overview: This bill seeks to strengthen the rights of women against sexual assault and rape by ending the statute of limitations for any felonies that are or relate to sexual assault or rape.

Definitions: Defines "statute of limitations" as any law in common law, U.S. code, state law, or any other legal code that sets a maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings and criminal litigation may be brought.
Defines "Sexual assault" as per U.S. code, simplified as to when any woman is attacked sexually and is physically injured in a sexual manner, including rape as defined by U.S. criminal code, simplified as when a person is forced unwillingly into a sexual act, with malicious intent from the rapist, defined as one of the most heinous form of sexual assault.
Defines "Victim" as any person who has suffered sexual assault or rape.
Defines "Assaulter" as any person who has committed sexual assault or rape.

Section 1: As sexual assault continues to be prevalent in our society, the Statute of Limitations diminishes the rights of victims who have faced sexual assault. The statute of limitations has limited the time in which sexual assault cases can be reviewed, allowing many assaulters to escape justice. Therefore, ending the statute of limitations will bring about greater support for men and women who have been sexually assaulted.

Section 2: Local, county, state, federal or any other judicial setting in the United States may no longer dismiss cases brought by a victim for sexual assault against the assaulter due to the state of limitations pertaining to the crime.

Section 3: All statutes of limitations for felonious sexual assault will be valid only for one month once this act is passed and enforced. Following this one month period, a statute of limitations of any form may not be imposed or created for sexual assault as defined.

Section 4: For criminal proceedings where the statute of limitations was utilized to dismiss the case, the victim may bring forth litigation once more and it may not be dismissed for a similar reason.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States House of Representative for consideration in order to ensure victims are not stripped of their rights to bring their assaulters to justice to improve the United States Law and is backed by Congresswoman Eleanor McCroskey, Congressman Jason Samara, Congressman Henry Caldwell, Senator Zachary Fowler, and Senator John Kingston on May 8, 2017.

Do Not Remove: 1337

"For far too long, several jurisdictions across this great country, this country which is built on justice for all, has allowed some of the most heinous crimes to be allowed to no longer be tried in a court of law because of an arbitrary limit. While other crimes and their statute of limitations could be debated, rape and sexual assault are never justified, and so the statute of limitations is just as equally unjustified. We must allow American women to have the opportunity and chance to press charges, to seek justice, and protect society from these evil criminals, at any point. This chamber must rid itself of the statute of limitations for all degrees of rape and sexual assault to free women from the prison of time, created by the psychological pain and scarring that these terrible acts can place onto them. I hope that this House decides to side with women and provide them the tools to defend themselves, to stop stripping them of their inalienable rights."

She remained standing for questions.

[The United Artherian Federation]

House Floor

White stood to ask a question.
"Mr. Speaker, Representative McCroskey, how do you think prison population, if this bill is passed and signed, will fare? Additionally how much more will this cost taxpayers to incarcerate those found guilty of rape and sexual assault under this bill?"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

---

Securing Appanages for Victims Eternally Act

The House of Representatives
Washington
District of Columbia

---

"For your first question, could you clarify what you meant exactly?"

She let out a small breath before going on.

"I do not believe the cost of prisoners should be a concern to justice. By that argument, why do we make criminals serve prison time at all? Rape and sexual assault are atrocious crimes and their prosecution should not be halted by a price tag."

[The United Artherian Federation]

House Floor

"To clarify my statement Representative McCroskey, I was asking whether or not the passage of this bill would greatly impact our already overcrowded prisons in terms of financial status and population.
To further clarify, I was not concerned that the prosecution of assaulters should be stopped by a price tag. In fact I believe just the opposite, they should be prosecuted no matter the cost.
To restate my question, how will this bill effect our prisons and their funding?"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

---

Securing Appanages for Victims Eternally Act

The House of Representatives
Washington
District of Columbia

---

"I should not expect any major changes to prisons, as litigation and prosecution will take time. We will not suddenly find our prisons overcrowded. But as to your second point, I recognize that funding may come into play but this bill's scope is not that. This bill intends to balance the scales that have gone against victims. Whether we wish to reform our prison system, adding on funding or eliminating for-profit prisons are not this bill's intended position."

[The United Artherian Federation]

House Floor

spoiler
"Thank you."
White sits back down and sips from his water bottle.

[Prolieum]

Senate Floor

Zipporah cleared her throat. "Objection, I'd like to answer the question." She turned in Wilson's direction.

"Senator Wilson, I won't comment on that specific example right now, but I think it's a good example of very contentious and controversial pardons that the Senate should have a say in. If it is a matter of treason, we can't let the possibility of someone having their slate wiped clean when they're guilty of crimes against the country be an option, not without a way to help make sure that there's good reason for the pardon."

[Prolieum]

House Floor

Appleby fiddled with a partially broken nail. "Solving a crime is easier when the evidence is fresh, isn't it?"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

---

Securing Appanages for Victims Eternally Act

The House of Representatives
Washington
District of Columbia

---

"Correct. But victims hardly are in the mental state to move forward with the headaches and heavy time investments required for prosecution. The human-centric factors cannot be dismissed either."