LOTF: An American Political Roleplay (116th Congress)

[Meelducan]

House of Representatives

"The Clerk has examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the House her approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved."

She looked around, making sure everyone was listening to her.

"Pursuant to the Speaker's announcement of his resignation on September 9, 2019, and pursuant to law and precedent the clerk will receive nominations for the Office of Speaker."

The clerk scanned the room for a bit, specifically the Democratic side. Standing alone was a Representative from Kentucky.

"The Clerk recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky, Mr. Crawford."

[Jovuistan]

House of Representatives
(Image)

"The Clerk has examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the House her approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved."

She looked around, making sure everyone was listening to her.

"Pursuant to the Speaker's announcement of his resignation on September 9, 2019, and pursuant to law and precedent the clerk will receive nominations for the Office of Speaker."

The clerk scanned the room for a bit, specifically the Democratic side. Standing alone was a Representative from Kentucky.

"The Clerk recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky, Mr. Crawford."

Phillip Crawford took his position.

"Thank you to the Clerk. It is with great honor that I today nominate Representative Caroline Simone to be the next Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Caroline Simone has been a leader in our legislative and leadership efforts for years now. She has worked tirelessly to pass through major laws that help the American people and better our nation. She is a committed fighter for the American people who has never backed down from her goal of making the United States a better place for all. Caroline Simone has shown a willingness to be a bipartisan lawmaker when much of this chamber unfortunately has retreated behind party lines. She led the effort with Republican Senator Richard Slater to pass the DOVE Act to hold the Dictator Nicolas Maduro accountable for his actions without the need for a war. She got the IDEA Act passed to protect Americans' data from being used by corporations without their consent. Caroline Simone has done more for this Congress than anyone has done in a long time. She is what America needs in a time where real leadership is desperately needed. There is no one who is more ready to take up the title of Speaker than Simone as shown by her dedication and her leadership in the House Democratic Caucus. This is a time for a strong and capable leader to get us through a difficult time in America, and Caroline Simone I believe is that leader. So I hope that all of you will join me in supporting her to be Speaker of the House of Representatives so we can get to work for our constituents. Thank you for your time and let's get to work!"

[Meelducan]

House of Representatives

"The Clerk recognizes the gentleman from Montana, Mr. Tenson."

[Kargintina the Third]

House Floor
Representative Earl Tenson-(MT-At-Large)

Earl stood up and took position to speak

Good day fellow Representatives. I am here today with an utmost important request. My request is that we nominate Representative and current Minority Leader Thomas Volker to the position of Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Not only has Leader Volker been committed to defending the values that have built and kept this nation standing for over two centuries, but also faithfully defended the agenda of President Wolf since day one. As a staunch Conservative, Christian, anti-Communist and defender of American Rights, Leader Volker has more than proven himself to be more than capable and qualified to serve as Presiding Officer of this hallowed Body. No other Representative can I think of more qualified to leading the Republican party through the 116th Congress as well as achieving it's legislative goals.

Leader Volker has fought for the average American everyday of his time in Congress. For Eight Years he fought to defend Middle America against the Baharia agenda, defending American's economic freedoms, gun rights, and the rights of our unborn. Not only has he simply served the American people and the people of Missouri faithfully while in office, but he also served as the first chairman of the House Congressional Tea Party Caucus, but also House Majority Whip and of course, House Minority Leader. He is a true ally of President Wolf, and is dedicated to ensuring the agenda of America First successfully enters into law.

Leader Volker perfectly represents the strong, moral, fundamental leadership that this great body deserves. He lacks the friendship with Senator Karel Volek and the corruption of Tammany Hall that Representative Simone holds, but rather a strong connection with the values of the American people. Thomas Volker has spent his entire adult life defending American family values, and it would be a great disservice to him to pass up the opportunity to elect him as our next Speaker. Thank you, and be sure to vote Representative Thomas Volker for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

[Meelducan]

House of Representatives

"The names of the Honorable Caroline Simone, a Representative from the State of New York, and the Honorable Thomas Volker, a Representative from the State of Missouri, have been placed in nomination. Are there further nominations?"

The clerk waited, keeping her ear open to the back of the chamber in case a Representative sprang up.

"There being no further nominations, the Clerk appoints the following tellers: The gentlewoman from Arizona, Ms Teasdale, The gentleman from Washington Mr Walker, The gentlewoman from California Ms Davenport and the gentlewoman from Illinois Ms Piotrowska. The tellers will come forward and take their seats at the desk in front of the Speaker's rostrum."

"The roll will now be called, and those responding to their names will indicate by surname the nominee of their choosing."

"The Reading Clerk will now call the roll."

[Meelducan]

House Floor

“Volker!” Matt said loudly as his name was called

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

"Volker!" Theodore Vohoffsky said, ensuring no other libertarians tried to fight Volker.

[Jovuistan]

Rep. Phillip Crawford (D-KY3): "Simone!"

[Yaruqo]

Rep. Timothy Larson (D-PA-3): "Simone!"

[Agarntrop]

United States House of Representatives
Representative John Atang
[Democratic - 3rd District of the State of New York]

"Simone!"

[Titanne]

Rep. Felix Holt (D-VA | 10): "Simone!”

[Lavan Tiri]

Representative Jason Evander
R|SD-at-Large

"Volker!"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

---

John Logan Ruler (R-IA-4)
House Floor

---

"Volker!"

[Latvijas Otra Republika]

Rep. Stanton Stonewell Jr: “VOLKER!”

[Kargintina the Third]

Tenson: “Volker!”

[Sarenium]

Congresswoman Fiona Lowell stood, "Simone," she said looking in Caroline's direction, yet again, a woman sat in that chair, all was as it should be.

[Dentali]

Douglas: Simone

[New Cobastheia]

Representative Kathleen Nez
[Democratic - Arizona's 7th District]

"Simone!"

[Alozia]

Rep. Piotrowska [D-IL-05]: "Simone!"

[Dentali]

Senate


Moore: I would like to submit the following bill for consideration

Bill Proposal Sheet

Official Name: The Startup Act of 2019Nickname: Startup

Senate Co-Sponsors: James Moore, Karel Volek, Erika Goldman, Augusta Merriam,

House Co-Sponsors: Theodore Vohoffsky, Malcolm Douglas, John Atang, Caroline Simone, Katherine Edwards, Felix Holt

Overview: A bill to establish a Startup Equity Investment Program to assist in startups with a high potential to create jobs, accelerate growth and commercialize innovation.

Definitions:

A) Approved State program: The term approved State program means a State program that is approved by the Secretary in accordance with the standards established in this Act.

B) Covered investment: The term covered investment means an equity investment in a startup using amounts made available to carry out the covered programs.

C) Covered programs: The term covered programs means the Program and the program carried out under this bill.

D) Equity investment: An investment for an ownership interest in an entity, the financial return with respect to which is principally aligned with the financial return of the plurality of ownership interests in the entity; and includes a debt instrument that can be converted to an equity ownership interest in an entity based on future events.

E) Exit: The term exit, with respect to a startup in which there is a covered investment, means the acquisition of the startup; after an initial public offering with respect to the startup, the sale of a share of the startup that was obtained through the covered investment; or the voluntary purchase of ownership interests by the startup, investors, or existing shareholders.

F) Federal contribution: The term Federal contribution means a contribution made by a participating State to, or for the account of, an approved State program; and with Federal funds allocated to the participating State by the Secretary.

G) Market rate management fee and profit interest: The term market rate management fee and profit interest means the usual and customary compensation structure paid to fund managers for fund investment management services under agreements with private sector limited partners.

H) Participating State: The term participating State means a State that participates in the Program after having satisfied the approval criteria under this legislation.

I) Program: The term Program means the Innovation and Startups Equity Investment Program established under this legislation.

J) Qualifying area: The term qualifying area means an area of the United States outside of the major venture capital centers, as determined in the rule making conducted by the Secretary under this legislation.

K) Secretary: The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.

L) Startup: The term startup means a business entity that has been in existence for less than 10 years; has the intention or potential to significantly scale with respect to revenue and job creation; develop innovative products or services; and deliver high returns on investment; and is headquartered in a qualifying area.

M) State: The term State means a State of the United States; and the District of Columbia. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall collectively be considered to be 1 State for the purposes of this Act.

N) State program: The term State program means a program established by a State to provide equity investment in startups or venture capital funds that are headquartered in qualifying areas, without regard to whether those qualifying areas are located in the State.

O) Venture capital fund: The term venture capital fund has the meaning given the term in section 275.203(l)–1 of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.



Section 2: Establishment

A) There is established in the Department of the Treasury the Innovation and Startups Equity Investment Program which shall be administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section, allocate to participating States; the amount appropriated; and any future amounts appropriated to carry out the Program; participating States to which funds are allocated shall, through approved State programs, provide equity investment in startups; and money (including securities) returned to States after exits with respect to the investments shall be reinvested through follow-on investments.

B) In administering the Program, the Secretary shall; establish minimum standards for a State program to be considered an approved State program, provide technical assistance to States for designing State programs and implementing approved State programs, disseminate information relating to best practices with respect to the design and implementation described, perform any managerial or administrative function that is necessary to maintain the integrity of the Program, and provide oversight of the Program, including by reviewing whether each approved State program is in compliance with the requirements of the Program.

C) A State may become a participating State if; the State designates a specific department or agency of the State, or an entity supported by the State, to implement and administer a State program of the State; or has a contractual arrangement with a participating State that has an approved State program; and through which the participating State will implement and administer the State program of the State, the State takes all legal actions necessary to enable the entity which will implement the State program of the State to carry out that implementation, the State submits to the Secretary an application during a time period to be established by the Secretary, and the State and the Secretary enter into an allocation agreement that satisfies the requirements of this Act, provides that the State program established by the State will comply with any standards established by the Secretary in carrying out this Act which; establishes internal control, compliance, and reporting requirements established by the Secretary and any other terms and conditions that are necessary to carry out the Program, including an agreement by the State to permit the Secretary to audit the State program established by the State and requires that, not later than 180 days after the date on which the State and the Secretary enter into the agreement (or a later date if the Secretary determines that later date to be appropriate), the State program of the State is able to make the type of equity investments contemplated by this Act; and includes an agreement by the State to submit to the Secretary any reports required under the Program.



Section 3: Approved State Programs

A) A state program may be certified by the Secretary that uses the following structure; A program in which a State-supported entity or a private investment firm directly invests in startups in accordance with the following requirements:

I) A State agency may not serve as the manager of the program.

II) Any investment made under the program shall have not less than 50 percent of the investment funded using nongovernment sources.

III) A State-sponsored entity or nonprofit organization serving as the manager under the program may charge a market rate annual management fee.

IV) The State may allow the manager under the program to receive a market-rate profit share.

V) The manager under the program shall actively educate minority-owned and women-owned startups regarding the process through which the manager makes equity investments; and pursue equity investments in startups.

B) A program in which a State-supported entity or a private investment firm establishes a fund to invest in other investment funds in accordance with the following requirements:

I) The fund established under the program may charge a market rate management fee paid by the administrator of the program with program funds and receive a market rate management fee and profit interest.

II) If the State has an above average per capita venture capital market share, the State shall prioritize allocations by the fund established under the program to funds managed by first-time managers, women, and minorities.

III) The allocations made by the fund established under the program shall be in an amount that is not more than 20 percent of the capital raised by that fund, except that, with respect to a recipient fund described, that amount shall be 50 percent.
IV) Approved State Programs may remain eligible to receive allocations for a period of 5 years after which the Secretary may re-certify the approved program.



Section 4: Allocation

A) With respect to an allocation made from the amount appropriated for this act, the allocation shall be calculated as follows; Divide the total population of the State by the total population of the United States, and then Multiply the total amount appropriated by the quotient obtained in this clause with respect to the State.

B) If, after allocating funds to participating States under this subsection, there are amounts remaining from the amounts made available to carry out the Program the Secretary shall allocate the remaining amounts in accordance with the preceding paragraph.



Section 5: Exits and Repayment

A) If a State to which an allocation is made under a covered program receives funds from an exit with respect to a covered investment, the State shall use those funds to further invest in startups in the manner contemplated by the applicable covered program.

B) If a State to which an allocation is made under a covered program receives funds from an exit with respect to a covered investment and fails to comply with any requirement under this Act, that State shall repay to the Secretary the amount of that allocation, including any realized gains.



Section 6: Reporting

A) Not later than 30 days after the first day of each calendar quarter that begins after the date on which the Secretary issues final rules in the rule making, each participating State that has received an allocation under the Program and each State to which funding is awarded shall submit to the Secretary a report regarding the use, during the quarter preceding the quarter in which the State submits the report, of funds received under the applicable covered program.

B) In each report that a State is required to submit, the State shall, with respect to the quarter covered by the report indicate the total amount of funds during the quarter that the State received under the covered programs and expended; and contain a certification by the State that all of the information contained in the report is accurate, funds allocated to the State under the covered programs continue to be available and legally committed to an approved State program of the State, except for funds already expended by the State in carrying out the approved State program, and the State is carrying out the approved State program of the State in accordance with this Act and rules issued under this Act.

C) The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives an annual report that summarizes information reported to the Secretary by States that details, for the year covered by the report, outcomes from investments made pursuant to funds allocated under the covered programs.



Section 7: Appropriations

A) $1,500,000,000 to carry out the Program, including any administrative costs incurred in carrying out the Program.


This bill is then honorably presented to The Senate for consideration in order to increase investment in high-potential startups to improve the United States Law and is backed by Senators James Moore, Karel Volek, Erika Goldman, and Augusta Merriam and Representatives, Theodore Vohoffsky, Malcolm Douglas, John Atang, Caroline Simone, Katherine Edwards, and Felix Holt on September 9th, 2019.

Do Not Remove: 1337

[Gordano and Lysandus]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Caroline Simone
[Democratic - 12th District of the State of New York]
{Chair of the House Democratic Caucus|Democratic Candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives}

"Simone!"

[Greater Arab State]

House Floor

Representative Volker (R-MO-8): “Volker.”

[Jovuistan]

SENATE FLOOR

Senator Slater smirked as he put the following resolution into the docket:

Official Name: A Resolution Condemning and Censuring the Senator from Minnesota, Levi Murphy

Whereas, on August 19th, 2019, on his official Twitter account, Senator Levi Murphy stated, "If a single soldier dies today in Iraq, the blood will be on the hands of the President of the United States of America. He instigated war and knew our troops stationed in Afghanistan and/or Iraq would those that face the consequences of his poor foreign policy. We should have moved our forces out while we had the opportunity.";

Whereas Senator Murphy's comments falsely and dangerously attributed the blame for potential harm done to American soldiers on the part of the United States, rather than the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Whereas Senator Murphy's comments falsely claimed that the United States instigated a war;

Whereas Senator Murphy's comments disrespect and disregard the sacrifice of our soldiers for the sake of political rhetoric;

Whereas Senator Murphy's comments jeopardize the legitimacy of our soldiers stationed abroad for the security of the United States;

Whereas Senator Murphy's comments reflected negatively on the United States Senate;

Therefore be it resolved that;

1. The Senate censures and condemns strongly Senator Levi Murphy, for his irresponsible and dangerous comments on social media;

2. Senator Murphy present himself in the United States Senate for the pronouncement of censure.

This resolution is then honorably presented to the United States Senate for consideration in order to order to redress misconduct on the part of a United States Senator and is backed by Senator Richard Slater of Arkansas on September 12th, 2019

Do Not Remove: 1337

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

United States Senate
Senator Jillian G. Dayton
[Democrat - Commonwealth of Virginia]

Another staffer from Dayton's office arrived and quickly placed a new bill into the docket before leaving.

An Act to Prevent Negative Health Effects of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining Until the Effects on Appalachian Communities are Studied

Nickname: Protecting Appalachian Communities Act of 2019 or simply, PACA

Sponsors: Jillian Dayton (D-VA)
House Co-Sponsors: Jason Evander (R-SD) and Phillip Crawford (D-KY)
Senate Co-Sponsors: None

Overview: Across the Appalachian mountains, many communities have called for action to investigate the potentially harmful effects of mountaintop removal coal mining. Investigations by local media sources and organizations have revealed credible consequences brought on by this mining technique to these typically low-income communities. State and local governments have been unable to respond to these community concerns despite local petitions and calls for changes. Thus, there is a need to conduct studies of the health impacts of mountaintop-removal coal mining on individuals in the surrounding communities. Until such a determination can be made as to these effects and the potential recommendations to protect people, the health and lives of Americans must come first hence the moratorium of permits on these specific mining systems.

Section I - Definitions:

a) Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining — The referenced action and system shall mean surface coal mining that uses blasting with explosives in the steep slope regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia.

b) Steep Slope — The referenced term shall mean the same as defined under Section 515(d)(4) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

Section II - Provisions:

a) The United States Congress finds that communities surrounding mountaintop removal coal mining projects, which involve surface coal mining including blasting with explosives in the steep slope regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia, have raised concerns that pollution of the water, air, and soil that results from mountaintop removal coal mining may be causing health crises in their communities. Congress has also found that peer-reviewed scientific research and reports have raised serious concerns about mountaintop removal mining with respect to elevated risks in categories of birth defects studied: circulatory/respiratory, central nervous system, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal; and that mountaintop removal coal mining has also been associated with elevated levels of adult hospitalizations for chronic pulmonary disorders and hypertension that are elevated as a function of county-level coal production, as are rates of mortality; lung cancer; and chronic heart, lung, and kidney disease. These health problems strike both women and men in mountaintop removal coal mining communities. These elevated levels of disease, defects, and mortality persist even after controlling for other variables. Congress has also found that initial scientific evidence, and the level of public concern, warrant immediate action to stop new mountaintop removal coal mining permits and increase environmental and human health monitoring at existing mountaintop removal coal mining projects while the reported links between health effects and mountaintop removal coal mining are investigated by Federal health agencies. Congress has also determined that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is uniquely qualified to manage a working group of Federal health agencies with expertise that is relevant to study of the reported links.

b) The Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the heads of such other Federal departments and agencies as the Director deems appropriate, shall conduct or support comprehensive studies on the health impacts, if any, of mountaintop removal coal mining on individuals in the surrounding communities; and submit to the Secretary, and make publicly available, a report on the results of such studies. Upon receipt of the report under this paragraph, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish a determination on whether mountaintop removal coal mining presents any health risks to individuals in the surrounding communities.

c) Until and unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services publishes a determination under paragraph (b) concluding that mountaintop removal coal mining does not present any health risk to individuals in the surrounding communities, a permit or other authorization may not be issued for any mountaintop removal coal mining project, or for any expansion of such a project, by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, or a State, under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or a State, under Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; or the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or a State, under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

d) Until the Secretary of Health and Human Services publishes a determination under paragraph (b) any person conducting a mountaintop removal coal mining project shall conduct continuous monitoring for any pollution of water and air (including noise) and frequent monitoring of soil as a result of such project for the purposes of comprehensively characterizing any pollution emitted from the project; and identifying ways in which members of affected communities might be exposed to these emissions; and submit the results of such monitoring to the Secretary on a monthly basis; and the Secretary shall make such results available to the public through the World Wide Web in a searchable database format not later than 7 days after the date on which the Secretary receives such results.

e) If a person conducting a mountaintop removal coal mining project fails to conduct monitoring and submit results in connection with such project as required by this Act, a permit or other authorization may not be issued for the mountaintop removal coal mining project, or for an expansion of such project, by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, or a State, under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or a State, under Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; or the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, or a State, under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

f) The President, acting through the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement of the Department of the Interior, shall assess and collect from each person that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is conducting a mountaintop removal coal mining project in the United States a one-time fee in an amount sufficient to recover the Federal cost of implementing this Act. Amounts received by the United States as a fee under this section may be used, to the extent and in the amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts, only to pay the Federal cost of carrying out this Act. This paragraph shall enter into effect on the date this Act is enacted.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States Senate for consideration in order to protect Appalachian communities from the effects of mountaintop removal mining; to improve the United States Law; and is backed by Senator Jillian Dayton on September 9th, 2019.
Do Not Remove: 1337

[Meelducan]

House of Representatives

"The tellers agree in their tallies that the total number of votes cast is 430, of which the Honorable Caroline Simone of the State New York received 220, the Honorable Thomas Volker of the state of Missouri received 193, the Honorable Jay Dietrich of the state of Alaska received 5 votes. The Honorable Julia Piotrowska of the State of Illinois has received 4 votes, The Honorable Rashid Baharia has received 3 votes, the Honorable Sandy Fields of Georgia has received 2 votes, the Honorable Ben Montgomery from the state of California has received 1 vote, the Honorable Vandel Diehl of North Dakota has received 1 vote and the last vote has been recorded as Present."

"Therefore, the Honorable Caroline Simone of the State of New York, having received a majority of the votes cast, is duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 116th Congress. The Clerk appoints the following committee to escort the Speaker-elect to the chair: The gentleman from New York, Mr Atang, the gentleman from Missouri, Mr Volker, the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr Douglas, the gentleman from Alaska, Mr Dietrich, the gentleman from Kentucky, Mr Crawford and the gentleman from Washington, Mr Walker. The clerk also invites the congressional delegation from New York to join the escort committee."

"The committee will retire from the Chamber to escort the Speaker-elect to the chair."