Twilight’s Last Gleaming: An American Political RP Congress

[Free Ward Marchers]

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"Thank you, Mr. President.

"For more than a century now, America has been the number one innovator in the world. American businesses have created and sold products that have long been the envy of the world. In this new century, we must maintain that leadership and continue to advance new industries created by the latest technologies invented right here at home. This act, the Research Of Solar Energy Act, aims to develop and support the promise of green energy technologies. Scientific data shows that solar energy is one of many new green technologies that help reduce emissions and stop global warming, and already many Americans proudly work in the manufacturing and development of solar. This bill kills two birds with one stone: not only will it help foster the development of greener energy usage, but this development promises the potential for millions of new jobs to be created in this new, modern market. Businesses will be able to leverage this technology, supported through the various programs established in this bill, to provide good-paying jobs to America. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, which will bring America forward to lead once again in the 21st century and create both jobs and a better ecosystem."

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"The floor is now open to questions."

Julie Littenbaum (D-NY)

---

I motion to upend the rules and proceed to voting

[Jovuistan]

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"The floor is now open to questions."

Julie Littenbaum (D-NY)

---

I motion to upend the rules and proceed to voting

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"I second the motion."

[The Orion Islands]

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"The floor is now open to questions."

Julie Littenbaum (D-NY)

---

I motion to upend the rules and proceed to voting

The President Pro Tempore was a stickler for the rules and proper procedure, so the use of upend was not allowed by him.
"The chair does not understand the motion by the Senator from Washington to 'upend the rules'. If she would like to make a motion to suspend the rules, the chair would look favorably upon that motion."

[Meretica]

Cassandra Hepburn Smith, Senator from Virginia
"Mr. President Pro Tempore, I motion to suspend the rules and proceed to voting."

[The Orion Islands]

Cassandra Hepburn Smith, Senator from Virginia
"Mr. President Pro Tempore, I motion to suspend the rules and proceed to voting."

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"Mister President, I object, and I move to hold a questioning period."
Colbert hated people who tried to ram through bills without debate.

[Madrinpoor]

Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

"The JUSTICE Act fails, 262-172, with one abstention."

[Madrinpoor]

Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

"The JUSTICE Act fails, 262-172, with one abstention."

Tommy broke into a wide, face-consuming smile, and plunked into his seat. He flashed a grin and a thumbs up to Bob Woolworth, across the room.

[New Luciannova]

Amadeus Putnam submits the following bill to the House Docket:

Federal Personhood Amendment to the United States Constitution

Sponsor: Amadeus Putnam (R-NH-02)

Curren House Co-Sponsors: Thomas Volker (R-MO-08), John Claassen (R- TN-01), Robert Woolworth (D-NC-11)

Senate Co-Sponsors: Ruskie Helms (R-NC)


Purpose: To establish that legal personhood is granted to all human beings in the United States from the beginning of their biological development.

Section I:

The right to life is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person.

Section II:

With respect to the right to life guaranteed to persons by the fifth and 14th articles of amendment to the Constitution, the word “person” applies to all human beings; irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency, or method of reproduction; from the beginning of their biological development.

Section III: Congress and the several States, including territories under United States control, shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section IV:

Definitions
Human being: Any organism, including the single-cell human embryo, irrespective of the method of reproduction, who possesses a genome specific for and consistent with an individual member of the human species

Human genome: The total amount of nuclear and extra-nuclear DNA genetic material that constitutes an organism as an individual member of the human species—including the single-cell human embryo

Human embryo: The term is used to define all human beings from the beginning of the embryonic period of their biological development through eight weeks; irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency, or method of reproduction; whether in vivo or in vitro.

Human fetus: The term is used to define all human beings from the beginning of the fetal period of their biological development (the beginning of nine weeks) through birth; irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency, or method of reproduction; whether in vivo or in vitro.

Personhood: The legal recognition of a human being’s full status as a human person that applies to all human beings; irrespective of age, health, function, physical or mental dependency, or method of reproduction; from the beginning of their biological development

[Jovuistan]

Cassandra Hepburn Smith, Senator from Virginia
"Mr. President Pro Tempore, I motion to suspend the rules and proceed to voting."

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"Mister President, I object, and I move to hold a questioning period."
Colbert hated people who tried to ram through bills without debate.

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"I second the motion to hold a question period." She figured it'd be fair to take on questions.

When she found an opportunity, Carole put the following bill on the Senate docket:

War On Terror and Iraq Reassessment Act

A BILL
To reassess and refocus the United States' war on terror, begin a gradual redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, and provide the U.S. Armed Forces with the resources needed to fight terrorism abroad.

Sponsor: Carole Martel (D-CA)
Senate Sponsors: Julie Littenbaum (D-WA)
House Sponsors: Frank Taylor (D-CA17), Greg Shields (D-CA28), Regan Storm (R-CT4), Daniel Kaheo'ole (D-HI2), John Mattox (D-MA7) Amadeus Putnam (R-NH2) Ryan Gaines (D-OR3)

Total Expense: $55,438,650,000

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "War On Terror and Iraq Reassessment Act".

SECTION 2: EMERGENCY DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

In addition to current funds, the following funds shall be appropriated:

Military Personnel, Army - $8,800,300,000

Military Personnel, Navy - $1,100,400,000

Military Personnel, Marine Corps - $1,500,000,000

Military Personnel, Air Force - $1,200,500,000

Reserve Personnel, Army - $140,200,000

Reserve Personnel, Navy - $86,000,000

Reserve Personnel, Marine Corps - $5,600,000

Reserve Personnel, Air Force - $11,500,000

National Guard Personnel, Army - $540,200,000

National Guard Personnel, Air Force - $44,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Army - $20,300,300,000

Operation and Maintenance, Navy - $4,600,600,000, of which up to $120,000,00 shall be transferred to Coast Guard.

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps - $1,100,600,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force - $6,600,800,000

Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide - $2,700,400,000 of which--
(1) no more than $25,000,000 may be used for the Combatant Commander Initiative fund, to be used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
(2) no more than $200,000,000, to remain available until expended, may be used for payments to reimburse Pakistan, Jordan, and other key cooperating nations, for logistical, military, and other support provided to United States military operations, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve - $74,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve - $111,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve - $13,500,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve - $10,100,000

Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard - $83,500,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard - $38,400,000

Afghanistan Security Forces Fund - $5,900,400,000, to remain available until September 30th, 2008.

Iraq Security Forces Fund - $3,800,300,000, to remain available until September 30th, 2008.

Iraq Freedom Fund - $350,600,000, to remain available for transfer until September 30, 2008: Provided that up to $50,000,000 may be obligated and expended for purposes of the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.

Appropriations provided in this section are available for obligation until September 30, 2007, unless otherwise provided in this section.

A total of 85% of the funds appropriated in this section for operation and maintenance shall not be available for obligation until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the use of Department of Defense-funded service contracts conducted in the theater of operations in support of United States military and reconstruction activities in Iraq and Afghanistan: Provided that the report shall provide detailed information specifying the number of contracts and contract costs used to provide services in fiscal year 2006, with sub-allocations by major service categories, as well as include estimates of the number of contracts to be executed in fiscal year 2007, and include the number of contractor personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan funded by the Department of Defense, and also provided that the report shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees not later than August 1st, 2007.

SECTION 3: Reassessment of Iraq Operations

Section 9010 of division A of Public Law 109-289 is amended by striking "2007" in each place it appears and inserting "2008".

No funds made available by this act or any other act may be obligated or expended by the United States to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq or to exercise United States control over any oil resource of Iraq.

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the congressional defense committees that contains individual transition readiness assessments by unit of Iraq and Afghanistan security forces. The Secretary of Defense shall submit updates to the report to the congressional defense committees every 90 days following the first report until October 1st, 2008. The report and updates of the report shall be submitted in classified form.

Increases the number of heavy and light armored vehicles authorized to be purchased by DOD for force protection purposes in Iraq and Afghanistan from 20 to 287.

Up to $155,000,000 from funds for the Iraq Security Forces Fund for fiscal year 2007 may be used, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to provide assistance to the Government of Iraq to support the disarmament demobilization, and reintegration of militias and illegal armed groups.

$750,000 is provided to the Department of Defense to commission an independent, private sector entity, which operates as a 501(c)(3) with recognized credentials and expertise in military affairs, to prepare an independent report assessing the following:

(1) The readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces to assume responsibility for maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorists a safe haven, bringing greater security to Iraq's 18 provinces in the next 12-18 months, and bringing an end to sectarian violence to achieve national reconciliation.

(2) The training, equipping, command, control, intelligence capabilities, and logistics capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces.

The designated private sector entity shall provide an unclassified report, with a classified annex, containing its finding to the House and Senate Armed Services, Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence committees.

$60,000,000 shall be provided to non-governmental organizations in Iraq for economic and social development programs and activities in areas of conflict.

$60,000,000 shall be provided for the United States Agency for International Development, for democracy, human rights, and rule of law programs in Iraq, provided that not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations describing a comprehensive, long-term strategy, with goals and expected results, for strengthening and advancing democracy in Iraq.

$5,000,000 shall be provided to operations to rescue Iraqi scholars.

The Department of State shall provide members of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) the country clearances, life support, and logistical and security support necessary to establish a GAO presence in Iraq for periods of not less than 45 days. The GAO shall use this presence to facilitate effective oversight of programs and activities in Iraq.

The President shall appoint a Coordinator for Iraq Assistance who shall be responsible for developing and implementing an overall strategy for political, economic, and military assistance for Iraq.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to deploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the chief of the military department concerned has certified to the defense and appropriations committees at least 15 days in advance that such unit is fully mission capable.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of extending the deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom of any unit of the:

(1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard beyond 365 days.

(2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve beyond 210 days.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom any unit of the:

(1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard if such unit has been deployed within the previous 365 consecutive days.

(2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve if such unit has been deployed within the previous 210 consecutive days.

The Secretary of Defense shall formulate and commence a plan to redeploy U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq no later than October 1st, 2007, with the goal of completing such redeployment within 180 days.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act are immediately available for obligation and expenditure to plan and execute a safe and orderly redeployment of the U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq.

After the appropriate redeployment period, the Secretary of Defense is prohibited from deploying or maintaining members of the Armed Forces in Iraq for any purpose other than:

(1) protecting American diplomatic facilities, American citizens, and other U.S. forces.

(2) serving in roles consistent with customary diplomatic positions.

(3) engaging in targeted special actions limited in duration and scope to killing or capturing members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

(4) training and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces.

[Meretica]

Abilene Wilson-Carter, Speaker of the House
Democrat from MI-13
"The floor is open to motions."

[Reorganized Portugal]

Representative Daniel Kaheo'ole (D-HI-2)

"Madam Speaker, I motion to proceed with the docket."

[Free Ward Marchers]

Representative Daniel Kaheo'ole (D-HI-2)

"Madam Speaker, I motion to proceed with the docket."

Bobby Markoe (R-IL-15)

---

"I second this motion"

[Meretica]

Abilene Wilson-Carter, Speaker of the House
Democrat from MI-13
"Hearing a second and no objections, the House shall now take up the Mourning Act. Congressman Gunsley shall lay out the bill."

[The Orion Islands]

Cassandra Hepburn Smith, Senator from Virginia
"Mr. President Pro Tempore, I motion to suspend the rules and proceed to voting."

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"With an objection, and no seconds, the motion fails."

[Prince Kropotkin]

Ryan deposits the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, and Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 with the clerk.

[Hopal]

Boredly waiting for the House to get on with business, a staffer brings Greg the completed version of the Medicare for Veterans Act, which Greg drops off to the clerk.

Medicare for Veterans Act

A BILL
To extend Medicare coverage to all honorable members and veterans of the U.S. Military

Sponsor: Rep. Greg Shields [D-CA-28]
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Cassandra Hepburn-Smith [R-VA], Sen. Julie Littenbaum [D-WA], Sen. Carole Martel [D-CA]
House Sponsors: Rep. John Mattox III [D-MA-07], Rep. Abilene Wilson-Carter [D-MI-13], Rep. Bobby Markoe [R-IL-15], Rep. Daniel Kaheo'ole [D-HI-02], Rep. Frank Taylor [D-CA-17]

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Medicare for Veterans Act".

SECTION 2: ELIGIBILITY

This bill shall expand eligibility of Medicare Part A and B to:

• All those who have served in the United States Military before January 1, 2005 and received an honorable discharge.
  
• All those who have served for at least 2 years or completed their active duty period in the United States Military after January 1, 2005 who are still in the United States Military or received an honorable discharge.
• All those who have received an honorable discharge due to an active-duty related disability or health condition developed while serving in the United States Military.
Veterans may opt out of Option B upon discharge and opt in again upon reaching the age of 65 without a penalty. Veterans may receive a lifetime penalty imposed if they do not enroll when they are first or secondly eligible.

SECTION 3: TRANSITION

This act shall fully go into effect exactly 1 year after the enactment of this bill. Eligible veterans shall be informed of their eligibility by mail, and shall have one year to enroll. Eligible active members of the United States Military shall be immediately enrolled. The United States Military and the Department of Veterans Affairs shall work with the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services to put this bill into effect. There shall be a Department of Veterans Affairs presence within the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services and at every regional office for the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services across the country

[Jovuistan]

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"Mister President, I object, and I move to hold a questioning period."
Colbert hated people who tried to ram through bills without debate.

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"I second the motion to hold a question period." She figured it'd be fair to take on questions.

Carole waited for the Pro Tempore to acknowledge her second.

[Melovinta]

Rep. Harold Pierce Gunsley [OH-5]

Rep. Gunsley took the floor, starting by saying "On September 11th, 2001, our nation suffered the greatest tragedy in it's entire history. 3000 dead at the hands of cowards, and I think it's about time we commemorate the dead, to honor their sacrifices, to mourn. This bill will not only build a grand memorial, but it will make September 11th a national day of mourning, to remember the lives we've lost, and the heroes who fought. It will also require many flags to be flown at half mast on September 11th, but for other it is not required. I urge my Congressional peers to vote for this bill, and to give a moment of silence to the ones who we lost."

[The Orion Islands]

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"Mister President, I object, and I move to hold a questioning period."
Colbert hated people who tried to ram through bills without debate.

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"I second the motion to hold a question period." She figured it'd be fair to take on questions.

When she found an opportunity, Carole put the following bill on the Senate docket:

War On Terror and Iraq Reassessment Act

A BILL
To reassess and refocus the United States' war on terror, begin a gradual redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, and provide the U.S. Armed Forces with the resources needed to fight terrorism abroad.

Sponsor: Carole Martel (D-CA)
Senate Sponsors: Julie Littenbaum (D-WA)
House Sponsors: Frank Taylor (D-CA17), Greg Shields (D-CA28), Daniel Kaheo'ole (D-HI2), John Mattox (D-MA7) Amadeus Putnam (R-NH2)

Total Expense: $55,438,650,000

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "War On Terror and Iraq Reassessment Act".

SECTION 2: EMERGENCY DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

In addition to current funds, the following funds shall be appropriated:

Military Personnel, Army - $8,800,300,000

Military Personnel, Navy - $1,100,400,000

Military Personnel, Marine Corps - $1,500,000,000

Military Personnel, Air Force - $1,200,500,000

Reserve Personnel, Army - $140,200,000

Reserve Personnel, Navy - $86,000,000

Reserve Personnel, Marine Corps - $5,600,000

Reserve Personnel, Air Force - $11,500,000

National Guard Personnel, Army - $540,200,000

National Guard Personnel, Air Force - $44,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Army - $20,300,300,000

Operation and Maintenance, Navy - $4,600,600,000, of which up to $120,000,00 shall be transferred to Coast Guard.

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps - $1,100,600,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force - $6,600,800,000

Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide - $2,700,400,000 of which--
(1) no more than $25,000,000 may be used for the Combatant Commander Initiative fund, to be used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
(2) no more than $200,000,000, to remain available until expended, may be used for payments to reimburse Pakistan, Jordan, and other key cooperating nations, for logistical, military, and other support provided to United States military operations, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve - $74,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve - $111,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve - $13,500,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve - $10,100,000

Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard - $83,500,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard - $38,400,000

Afghanistan Security Forces Fund - $5,900,400,000, to remain available until September 30th, 2008.

Iraq Security Forces Fund - $3,800,300,000, to remain available until September 30th, 2008.

Iraq Freedom Fund - $350,600,000, to remain available for transfer until September 30, 2008: Provided that up to $50,000,000 may be obligated and expended for purposes of the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.

Appropriations provided in this section are available for obligation until September 30, 2007, unless otherwise provided in this section.

A total of 85% of the funds appropriated in this section for operation and maintenance shall not be available for obligation until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the use of Department of Defense-funded service contracts conducted in the theater of operations in support of United States military and reconstruction activities in Iraq and Afghanistan: Provided that the report shall provide detailed information specifying the number of contracts and contract costs used to provide services in fiscal year 2006, with sub-allocations by major service categories, as well as include estimates of the number of contracts to be executed in fiscal year 2007, and include the number of contractor personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan funded by the Department of Defense, and also provided that the report shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees not later than August 1st, 2007.

SECTION 3: Reassessment of Iraq Operations

Section 9010 of division A of Public Law 109-289 is amended by striking "2007" in each place it appears and inserting "2008".

No funds made available by this act or any other act may be obligated or expended by the United States to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq or to exercise United States control over any oil resource of Iraq.

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the congressional defense committees that contains individual transition readiness assessments by unit of Iraq and Afghanistan security forces. The Secretary of Defense shall submit updates to the report to the congressional defense committees every 90 days following the first report until October 1st, 2008. The report and updates of the report shall be submitted in classified form.

Increases the number of heavy and light armored vehicles authorized to be purchased by DOD for force protection purposes in Iraq and Afghanistan from 20 to 287.

Up to $155,000,000 from funds for the Iraq Security Forces Fund for fiscal year 2007 may be used, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to provide assistance to the Government of Iraq to support the disarmament demobilization, and reintegration of militias and illegal armed groups.

$750,000 is provided to the Department of Defense to commission an independent, private sector entity, which operates as a 501(c)(3) with recognized credentials and expertise in military affairs, to prepare an independent report assessing the following:

(1) The readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces to assume responsibility for maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorists a safe haven, bringing greater security to Iraq's 18 provinces in the next 12-18 months, and bringing an end to sectarian violence to achieve national reconciliation.

(2) The training, equipping, command, control, intelligence capabilities, and logistics capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces.

The designated private sector entity shall provide an unclassified report, with a classified annex, containing its finding to the House and Senate Armed Services, Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence committees.

$60,000,000 shall be provided to non-governmental organizations in Iraq for economic and social development programs and activities in areas of conflict.

$60,000,000 shall be provided for the United States Agency for International Development, for democracy, human rights, and rule of law programs in Iraq, provided that not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations describing a comprehensive, long-term strategy, with goals and expected results, for strengthening and advancing democracy in Iraq.

$5,000,000 shall be provided to operations to rescue Iraqi scholars.

The Department of State shall provide members of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) the country clearances, life support, and logistical and security support necessary to establish a GAO presence in Iraq for periods of not less than 45 days. The GAO shall use this presence to facilitate effective oversight of programs and activities in Iraq.

The President shall appoint a Coordinator for Iraq Assistance who shall be responsible for developing and implementing an overall strategy for political, economic, and military assistance for Iraq.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to deploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the chief of the military department concerned has certified to the defense and appropriations committees at least 15 days in advance that such unit is fully mission capable.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of extending the deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom of any unit of the:

(1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard beyond 365 days.

(2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve beyond 210 days.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom any unit of the:

(1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard if such unit has been deployed within the previous 365 consecutive days.

(2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve if such unit has been deployed within the previous 210 consecutive days.

The Secretary of Defense shall formulate and commence a plan to redeploy U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq no later than October 1st, 2007, with the goal of completing such redeployment within 180 days.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act are immediately available for obligation and expenditure to plan and execute a safe and orderly redeployment of the U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq.

After the appropriate redeployment period, the Secretary of Defense is prohibited from deploying or maintaining members of the Armed Forces in Iraq for any purpose other than:

(1) protecting American diplomatic facilities, American citizens, and other U.S. forces.

(2) serving in roles consistent with customary diplomatic positions.

(3) engaging in targeted special actions limited in duration and scope to killing or capturing members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

(4) training and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces.

Senate President Pro Tempore (D)
"With a second, and no objections, the motion is adopted. Senators are now free to ask the Senator from California questions pertaining to the ROSE Act."

[Jovuistan]

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-WY)
"Mister President, I object, and I move to hold a questioning period."
Colbert hated people who tried to ram through bills without debate.

Senator Carole Martel (D-CA)

"I second the motion to hold a question period." She figured it'd be fair to take on questions.

When she found an opportunity, Carole put the following bill on the Senate docket:

War On Terror and Iraq Reassessment Act

A BILL
To reassess and refocus the United States' war on terror, begin a gradual redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, and provide the U.S. Armed Forces with the resources needed to fight terrorism abroad.

Sponsor: Carole Martel (D-CA)
Senate Sponsors: Julie Littenbaum (D-WA)
House Sponsors: Frank Taylor (D-CA17), Greg Shields (D-CA28), Daniel Kaheo'ole (D-HI2), John Mattox (D-MA7) Amadeus Putnam (R-NH2)

Total Expense: $55,438,650,000

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "War On Terror and Iraq Reassessment Act".

SECTION 2: EMERGENCY DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS

In addition to current funds, the following funds shall be appropriated:

Military Personnel, Army - $8,800,300,000

Military Personnel, Navy - $1,100,400,000

Military Personnel, Marine Corps - $1,500,000,000

Military Personnel, Air Force - $1,200,500,000

Reserve Personnel, Army - $140,200,000

Reserve Personnel, Navy - $86,000,000

Reserve Personnel, Marine Corps - $5,600,000

Reserve Personnel, Air Force - $11,500,000

National Guard Personnel, Army - $540,200,000

National Guard Personnel, Air Force - $44,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Army - $20,300,300,000

Operation and Maintenance, Navy - $4,600,600,000, of which up to $120,000,00 shall be transferred to Coast Guard.

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps - $1,100,600,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force - $6,600,800,000

Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide - $2,700,400,000 of which--
(1) no more than $25,000,000 may be used for the Combatant Commander Initiative fund, to be used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
(2) no more than $200,000,000, to remain available until expended, may be used for payments to reimburse Pakistan, Jordan, and other key cooperating nations, for logistical, military, and other support provided to United States military operations, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

Operation and Maintenance, Army Reserve - $74,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Navy Reserve - $111,000,000

Operation and Maintenance, Marine Corps Reserve - $13,500,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Reserve - $10,100,000

Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard - $83,500,000

Operation and Maintenance, Air National Guard - $38,400,000

Afghanistan Security Forces Fund - $5,900,400,000, to remain available until September 30th, 2008.

Iraq Security Forces Fund - $3,800,300,000, to remain available until September 30th, 2008.

Iraq Freedom Fund - $350,600,000, to remain available for transfer until September 30, 2008: Provided that up to $50,000,000 may be obligated and expended for purposes of the Task Force to Improve Business and Stability Operations in Iraq.

Appropriations provided in this section are available for obligation until September 30, 2007, unless otherwise provided in this section.

A total of 85% of the funds appropriated in this section for operation and maintenance shall not be available for obligation until the Secretary of Defense submits to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the use of Department of Defense-funded service contracts conducted in the theater of operations in support of United States military and reconstruction activities in Iraq and Afghanistan: Provided that the report shall provide detailed information specifying the number of contracts and contract costs used to provide services in fiscal year 2006, with sub-allocations by major service categories, as well as include estimates of the number of contracts to be executed in fiscal year 2007, and include the number of contractor personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan funded by the Department of Defense, and also provided that the report shall be submitted to the congressional defense committees not later than August 1st, 2007.

SECTION 3: Reassessment of Iraq Operations

Section 9010 of division A of Public Law 109-289 is amended by striking "2007" in each place it appears and inserting "2008".

No funds made available by this act or any other act may be obligated or expended by the United States to establish any military installation or base for the purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in Iraq or to exercise United States control over any oil resource of Iraq.

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the congressional defense committees that contains individual transition readiness assessments by unit of Iraq and Afghanistan security forces. The Secretary of Defense shall submit updates to the report to the congressional defense committees every 90 days following the first report until October 1st, 2008. The report and updates of the report shall be submitted in classified form.

Increases the number of heavy and light armored vehicles authorized to be purchased by DOD for force protection purposes in Iraq and Afghanistan from 20 to 287.

Up to $155,000,000 from funds for the Iraq Security Forces Fund for fiscal year 2007 may be used, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to provide assistance to the Government of Iraq to support the disarmament demobilization, and reintegration of militias and illegal armed groups.

$750,000 is provided to the Department of Defense to commission an independent, private sector entity, which operates as a 501(c)(3) with recognized credentials and expertise in military affairs, to prepare an independent report assessing the following:

(1) The readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces to assume responsibility for maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorists a safe haven, bringing greater security to Iraq's 18 provinces in the next 12-18 months, and bringing an end to sectarian violence to achieve national reconciliation.

(2) The training, equipping, command, control, intelligence capabilities, and logistics capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces.

The designated private sector entity shall provide an unclassified report, with a classified annex, containing its finding to the House and Senate Armed Services, Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence committees.

$60,000,000 shall be provided to non-governmental organizations in Iraq for economic and social development programs and activities in areas of conflict.

$60,000,000 shall be provided for the United States Agency for International Development, for democracy, human rights, and rule of law programs in Iraq, provided that not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations describing a comprehensive, long-term strategy, with goals and expected results, for strengthening and advancing democracy in Iraq.

$5,000,000 shall be provided to operations to rescue Iraqi scholars.

The Department of State shall provide members of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) the country clearances, life support, and logistical and security support necessary to establish a GAO presence in Iraq for periods of not less than 45 days. The GAO shall use this presence to facilitate effective oversight of programs and activities in Iraq.

The President shall appoint a Coordinator for Iraq Assistance who shall be responsible for developing and implementing an overall strategy for political, economic, and military assistance for Iraq.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to deploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the chief of the military department concerned has certified to the defense and appropriations committees at least 15 days in advance that such unit is fully mission capable.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of extending the deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom of any unit of the:

(1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard beyond 365 days.

(2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve beyond 210 days.

None of the funds made available by this act or any other act may be used to initiate, execute, or continue any order that has the effect of deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom any unit of the:

(1) Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard if such unit has been deployed within the previous 365 consecutive days.

(2) Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve if such unit has been deployed within the previous 210 consecutive days.

The Secretary of Defense shall formulate and commence a plan to redeploy U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq no later than October 1st, 2007, with the goal of completing such redeployment within 180 days.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act are immediately available for obligation and expenditure to plan and execute a safe and orderly redeployment of the U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq.

After the appropriate redeployment period, the Secretary of Defense is prohibited from deploying or maintaining members of the Armed Forces in Iraq for any purpose other than:

(1) protecting American diplomatic facilities, American citizens, and other U.S. forces.

(2) serving in roles consistent with customary diplomatic positions.

(3) engaging in targeted special actions limited in duration and scope to killing or capturing members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

(4) training and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces.

Carole took a moment to update the co-sponsors of the bill.

[Prince Kropotkin]

Representative Regan Storm
Republican from Connecticut

Madam Speaker, I have to point out September 11 is already a national day of mourning. I have no idea what the Congressman from Ohio has been doing on the last five Patriot Day observances, but I and most other members of Congress have been observing a minute of silence and seeing flags flown at half-mast as per the Joint Resolution this House passed unanimously five and a half years ago.

Stirring as the patriotism in revisiting this -- in May, 2007 -- no doubt is, perhaps we might serve our constituents better by enacting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, as the Majority party had pledged to do with priority this Congress, or by establishing a compensation fund for the emergency workers -- some of them from Connecticut's 4th, including Connecticut State Troopers who today are suffering long-term health problems as a result of toxic chemicals inhaled while volunteering at Ground Zero.

A more cynical person might suggest the only possible reason for an Ohio Congressman to sponsor "Patriot Day 2: Electric Boogaloo" would be that there were stories about them and New York in the press that they wanted to distract from. As it is, I shall leave it at suggesting that as this bill is nothing but redundancies and unfunded mandates, it be tabled.

I yield the balance of my time.

[Kavanis]

“Second the motion to table,” said Jack, sounding rather bored.

[Meretica]

Abilene Wilson-Carter, Speaker of the House
Democrat from MI-13
"Hearing a second and no objections, the House shall table the bill. The floor is open to motions."

[The Orion Islands]

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-UT)
"Senator Martel, how will we ensure that these funds in this ROSE bill go towards the people of the United States, and not towards the Chinese Communist Party?"

[Jovuistan]

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-UT)
"Senator Martel, how will we ensure that these funds in this ROSE bill go towards the people of the United States, and not towards the Chinese Communist Party?"

"Senator... what? This bill is very clear about where the funds go: programs that help develop solar technologies in America. These funds will go to American programs, supporting American technologies, to be developed and worked by American businesses and workers. China has nothing to do with this bill, none of the funds go towards anything Chinese. I don't understand why the Senator insists on stretching the clear provisions of this bill to be to the benefit of China unless he wishes to turn this into a political stunt?"