Land of The Free: American Political Roleplay (OOC IV)

[HypErcApitAl]

I'd like to roll a Thirdparty candidate (spiritual successor to both of my LoTF char ideas) though that may not work because third-party is trash af.

I wanna do something w/ the Libertarians or Independents. Maybe Reformists. Some sort of right-wing or "libright."

I like this idea of an Alex Jones "muh 2A"-type char (I support the Second Amendment irl but there's people that just take that crap too far)

[Greater Arab State]

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Character Information Sheet

NS Nation Name: Greater Arab State
Character Name: Jennifer Marshall
Character Gender: Female
Character Age: 49
Character Height: 5'3
Character Weight: 123 lbs
Character Position/Role/Job: Governor of Kansas (2019-Present), Commentator for Bloomberg (2017-2019), 37th Secretary of Commerce (2011-2017), Chair of Administration for the House Blue Dog Coalition (2009-2011), Representative for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District (1999-2011), Representative for the 19th District of the Kansas House of Representatives (1995-1999)
Appearance:

Character State of Origin: Oklahoma
Character State of Residence: Kansas
Character Party Affiliation: Democratic (1983-Present)
Main Strengths: High name recognition within Kansas, ability to work across the aisle on legislation, strong support amongst female voters.
Main Weaknesses: Criticised by progressives as being too conservative for the Democratic Party, privileged upbringing may dampen appeal amongst blue-collar voters somewhat, somewhat weak support amongst the grassroots.
Biography:

Jennifer Gretchen Marshall (née Asquith) was born in Oklahoma City on the 15th of October, 1969. The only child of an attorney and his stay at home wife, Jennifer lived a comfortable existence, not lacking in terms of physical possessions or the unrivalled affections of her parents. The financial situation of her parents meant that Jennifer was able to attend the private Casady prep school, where she excelled in her studies. However, her high school years also saw Jennifer develop her first sense of political identity, electing to join the Democratic Party in 1983 as a result of her view that the Democratic Party was more fiscally responsible with regard to managing the finances of the United States in comparison to the perceived frivolous spending undertaken by Republican administrations. Upon graduating High School in 1988, the young Ms Asquith studied International Affairs at George Washington University, it was during her college years that Jennifer truly began to develop her political identity, actively campaigning within both the College Democrats as well as within the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries for the candidacy of then-Senator Paul Simon, an event that in combination with her parental upbringing, caused the young Jennifer to gravitate towards being a 'Blue Dog' Democrat, she would use the experience gained within the College Democrats in order to secure an internship with the DNC over the course of her college education, a matter which would stand to benefit her upon graduation.

Upon her graduation in 1992, Jennifer Asquith moved to the state of Kansas, using the experience and contacts she had developed within the Democratic Party during her studies at George Washington University in order to find employment within the Kansas State Democratic Party, specifically on the staff of the then-Representative of District 19 of the State House, although viewing a large part of the work as being relatively mundane at first, Jennifer continued to put her utmost into it, in preparation for pursuing elected office in the near future. This opportunity came within the next election cycle, with the announced retirement of the 19th District's Representative enabling Jennifer to pursue office. Running on a campaign of fiscal sustainability and a moderate social policy, despite attacks on her perceived youth and inexperience Asquith narrowly won both the Democratic primary and the general election with 36% and 50.6% of the vote respectively.

Overall, Asquith's time in the House as rather unremarkable, mostly voting in line with the Party and focused primarily on establishing connections that would enable Jennifer's political career to advance further. Despite this however, a particular area in which State Representative Asquith became notable for speaking on was agricultural policy, most notably the issue of agriculture subsidies, speaking frequently in favour of maintaining agricultural subsidies with great eloquence enabled Asquith to act as a minor surrogate for the Clifford campaign for the 1996 Presidential Election, which saw her actively campaign within her own District and the wider state, an effort which despite the state voting for (Not-Dole) enabled Asquith to enhance her credentials within the Kansas Democratic Party and acted as a springboard for her to use within the next election cycle.

Come the 1998 Midterm Elections, Asquith ran for the 3rd Congressional District of Kansas, running on her previous platform of fiscal responsibility and social moderation in addition to utilising the media coverage she had accumulated over her State House tenure in order to win the Democratic primary with 51% of the vote and then going onto being elected to the House with 53% of the vote after rather successfully courting independent and moderate voters. Soon after being inaugurated, the now Representative Asquith joined the nascent Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally conservative and socially moderate Democrats, soon after, Representative Asquith began to develop reputation for being amongst the Coalition's most eloquent speakers, regularly speaking on issues of prime concern to the Coalition, even if it times it went against the wider Democratic whip. The following year, Jennifer Asquith married Howard Marshall, an accountant who Jennifer had initially met whilst studying at George Washington University and who she had recently reconnected with through mutual friends.

However, in the wave of patriotic fervour that swept across the nation following the September 11 attacks in New York City, Representative Marshall for a time began to take interventionist foreign policy positions, supporting the 2001 Invasion of Afghanistan as well as the initial Invasion of Iraq in 2003. Despite becoming critical of the lack of planning for governing Iraq post-Saddam, Representative Marshall continued to support a US, most notably by joining 30 other Blue Dog Democrats in refusing to pay party dues to the DCCC in protest of remarks by California Representative (Not-Woolsey) calling for anti-war activists to launch primary challenges against Democrats who voted against ending the Iraq War.

Come the Democratic Primaries for the 2008 Presidential Election, Representative Marshall almost immediately endorsed the candidacy of Senator Clifford, with the Representative becoming an enthusiastic surrogate for the Senator's campaign within Kansas soon after. Despite this however, Representative Marshall's attempts were in vain, with Senator Baharia decisively winning Kansas in the primaries and then going on to win the Democratic nomination. Despite this setback, Representative Marshall supported the Baharia campaign to the fullest extent possible. As a result, and despite Kansas voting for McDowd, Representative Marshall had ensured that her political position was secure, particularly within the Blue Dog Coalition, which elected her as its Co-Chair for Administration in January 2009.

Ultimately however, Representative Marshall's tenure as Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition saw it face difficulties within the House with regard to votes on legislation that the Baharia campaign had primarily campaigned on, most notably the issue of a public healthcare option, this was exacerbated further as a result of members of the Blue Dog Coalition on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including Representative Marshall, successfully delaying the House vote on the Health Insurance Reform Bill until after the 2009 summer recess, a matter which stirred a significant degree of controversy amongst the Democratic grassroots, and amongst some members of the DCCC for that matter. Consequently, the 2010 Midterms saw both Representative Marshall and her Caucus in a poor position, with the Representative having received relatively low amounts of finance and support from the DCCC due to the previous opposition of the Blue Dog Coalition to elements of the Baharia campaign's legislation. Despite this, the Kansas Representative pushed hard for the House campaigns of her fellow Caucus members, to the extent that her own campaign was neglected at times as a result. Despite her efforts though, the Blue Dog Coalition lost more than half of its members in that year's elections, including Representative Marshall, who narrowly lost with 49% of the vote.

The immediate months following her electoral defeat found the former Representative Marshall embittered as a result of the lack of support that had been afforded to her, but most importantly several of her caucus members in fighting for reelection. However, Mrs Marshall decided to avoid stoking any controversy that might damage any potential prospects for a return to political office in the future, instead electing to care for her young son and generally spend time with the family that she had been unable to enjoy fully whilst on the Hill for the time being. However, opportunity would soon after come to Mrs Marshall in the form of a vacancy for the Cabinet position of Commerce Secretary following the resignation of (Not-Locke) in the August of that year. Despite initially holding reservations regarding the position, most notably her perception that the position was primarily intended to keep her from criticising any aspect of the Administration after the Midterms, however, Mrs Marshall made the decision to accept the offer and was nominated by the Baharia Administration over that summer and fall. Marshall's confirmation was a relatively uncontroversial affair, with her emphasising both her strong record of experience on the Commerce and Energy Committee in addition to her ability to work in a bipartisan manner, consequently, Marshall was confirmed 58-42 in favour in a vote that fell for the most part on partisan lines, with a small number of Republican Senators crossing to vote in favour.

Upon being sworn-in, Secretary Marshall made it her main priority to work on Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement between the US and 11 other nations that would if successful have the record for the largest regional trade agreement in history. Secretary Marshall soon became a strong proponent of the trade agreement, arguing that it would allow American farmers to have lower prices and the ability to enjoy easier access to foreign export markets and would allow the wider US economy to continue to recover following the Great Recession. In addition, another notable issue surrounding Secretary Marshall's tenure was the thaw in relations between the United States and Cuba, despite this, Secretary Marshall pushed the White House to continue the embargo of the Cuban economy for the time being based on human rights grounds, efforts in which she was successful. Despite the relative success of her tenure at the Commerce Department, the 2016 election saw the work undertaken by the Secretary being undermined and opposed, most notably of all the work done on the TPP which after Secretary Clifford was forced to tack to the left as a result of the primaries, meant that both major parties opposed continued US membership of the TPP. Soon after, Arnold Wolf Sr was elected as President, an event which left Secretary Marshall, who had once again been an early endorser of the Clifford campaign, both astounded and to a degree disheartened, with the Secretary cutting back on media and public appearances as the transition took place, instead focusing on ensuring that the Commerce Department was fully prepared for the new Administration whilst also steadying Us trading partners over the course of the Presidential transition.

Upon the end of the Baharia Administration in January 2017, the former Secretary Marshall found herself receiving an offer to work as a commentator for the Bloomberg television network, an offer which Mrs Marshall accepted with little hesitation. Using her experience both within the House and then as Secretary of Commerce, Mrs Marshall quickly developed as a hit feature of Bloomberg, particularly as her commentary regularly criticised the President on the trade front, arguing that the increased protectionism from the US was damaging American soft power as well as leading to a poorer economic situation in the long term, placing a great deal of emphasis on the farming community with the latter. Despite this, Mrs Marshall soon became privately dissatisfied with being out of political office, something which would present an opportunity in 2018.

Come the 2018 Midterms, Mrs Marshall took the step of running for Governor of Kansas, running on a platform of fiscal centrism and responsibility as well as emphasising her experience on both the Hill and at the Commerce Department, Jennifer Marshall was able to win the nomination with 52% of the vote in the Democratic primary. Soon after, Mrs Marshall tacked to the centre ground for the general, emphasising her ability to work across the aisle on scrutinising legislation and for passing legislation, a matter evidenced through the scale of her confirmation vote in 2011, in addition, Mrs Marshall primarily focused on winning over anti-Wolf Republicans and independent voters as a result of a lack of enthusiasm for her campaign by progressive Democrats in Kansas' urban areas. Soon after, Mrs Marshall secured a surprising victory, being elected Governor with 49% of the vote.

So far, Governor Marshall's tenure has primarily been focused on supporting the agricultural community within the state of Kansas, placing a slight increase in the level of state agricultural subsidies in order to minimise the impact of the US-China trade war on Kansas farmers as well as efforts by the Governor to heal the national political divide within Kansas. Currently, Governor Marshall has remained relatively silent on the 2020 race to replace Wolf, waiting to see how the Democratic primary shapes up before taking a hard stance behind any particular candidate, although now might just be the time for such an event to take place.

Other Info: Episcopal, married to her husband of 17 years, Howard with one son, Henry (Born September 2005)

2000: Vice President (Not-Al Gore)

2004: Former General (Not-Wesley Clark), followed by Senator (Not-John Edwards)

2008: Senator Diane Clifford

2012: President Rashid Baharia

2016: Secretary Diane Clifford

I have read and accept the rules of the roleplay: Greater Arab State
Do Not Remove: 84721

[HypErcApitAl]

ONE token Libertarian candidate. (though they're a talkshow host but idc)

the Democratic-Republican establishment needs to be SHOOK.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

The rare and blessed GAS Democrat.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

I think these are all the bills written in recess, 3 Sullivan, 2 Dayton, and 1 Ruler.

If anyone would like to cosponsor any of them, please let me know

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)
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

An Act to Issue Grants to Improve Family Farms and Keep such Farms Operating Independently

Nickname: Family Farm Defense Act of 2019

Sponsor: John Logan Ruler (R-IA-4)
House Co-Sponsors: Earl Tenson (R|MT), Katherine Edwards (R|GA-3), Jason Evander (R-SD), and Kevin Villalobos (R|FL-4)
Senate Co-Sponsors: Augusta Merriam (R-NH), Howard Frankston (R-TX), and Richard Slater (R-AR)

Overview: Americans farms are increasingly seeing greater competition across the entire world due to globalization. But the largest downsides of this change in global economic dynamics and in the domestic farming market are the rising pressures and sustainability issues of family farms. Not only do they have to compete against big agribusinesses and corporate farms but now world markets are also a potential strain. For this reason, there is a need to authorize grants for the improvement of family farm management and loosen estate valuations to keep American family farms independent. Additionally, the heritage and interpretation of farm life, agribusiness and rural communities-past and present should continue to be preserved, especially to keep the culture of American family farms strong.

Section I - Definitions:

a) Farm Management or Livestock Producers - Both of these terms shall only be applicable to all farms and livestock producers which classify as a family-owned, family-operated, and privately held business. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall have full reasonable discretion to define these metrics per previous department policy.

b) Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - This term shall refer to the Act of the same name and shall be referenced as simply "IRS" in this Act.

Section II - Provisions:

a) The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 is amended by inserting after Section 1672E the following: "The Secretary shall make competitive extension and education grants for the purpose of improving the farm management knowledge and skills of livestock producers. In selecting grant recipients under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate an ability to work directly with livestock producers; collaborate with farm management educational programs and associations; and include in such application a description of the curriculum the applicant is seeking to carry out to educate livestock producers on risk management through futures market participation and hedging strategies. Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section. In this section, the term ‘livestock’ has the meaning given such term in Section 1501(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023."

b) The grants provided via paragraph (a) shall be referred to as Grant for Improvement of Family Farm Management or Grant for Improvement of Skills of Livestock Producers respectively. These provisions shall enter into effect once this Act is enacted, with grants becoming available by the next financial quarter as defined by the Department of Agriculture.

c) The IRS shall be altered to increase the limitation on the estate tax valuation of certain real property used in farming or other trades or businesses. Thus, Section 2032A(a)(3) of the IRS is amended by striking “$750,000” both places it appears and inserting “$11,400,000”; by striking “1998” in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting “2019”; and by striking “1997” in subparagraph (B) and inserting “2018”. The amendments made by this section shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after the date of the enactment of this Act.

d) Section 707 of Division II of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 is hereby repealed. Section 708(a) of Division II of aforementioed Act is amended by striking the last sentence. The America’s Agricultural Heritage Partnership established by the aforementioned Act is hereby redesignated and shall be known as the “Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area”. Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the heritage area referred to in this paragraph shall be deemed to be a reference to the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States House of Representatives for consideration in order to support American family farms; to improve the United States Law; and is backed by Representative John Logan Ruler on September 9th, 2019.
Do Not Remove: 1337

An Act to Condemn, Sanction, and Authorize a Response Against Chinese Efforts to Restrict Hong Kong's Democracy and Human Rights

Nickname: Democracy in Hong Kong Act of 2019

Sponsors: Jillian Dayton (D-VA)
House Co-Sponsors: Felix Holt (D|VA-10), Caroline Simone (D|NY-12), Katherine Edwards (R|GA-3), Kathleen Nez (D|AZ-7), Kevin Villalobos (R|FL-4), and Fiona Lowell (D|WI-3)
Senate Co-Sponsors: Francine Sullivan (D-AK), Erika Goldman (D-CT), Clint Guerrera (R-CO), Augusta Merriam (R-NH), Howard Frankston (R-TX), and Everett Colbert (R-UT)

Overview: Ongoing protests in Hong Kong are showing the dangerous policies being enforced by the People's Republic of China to restrict democracy and curb human rights in what has long been a politically democratic and free nation-state. More so, ongoing crack downs by China shows the potential danger posed by continuing these protests to occur unaddressed by the United States. For these reasons, there is a need to target China and ensure that they respect and maintain the tradition policy of democratic home rule of Hong Kong.

Section I - Definitions:

a) Appropriate congressional committees - The referenced committees shall refer to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.

b) Social credit system - The referenced system shall mean the system proposed by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and scheduled for implementation by 2020, which would use existing financial credit systems, public records, online activity, and other tools of surveillance to aggregate data on every Chinese citizen and business; and use such data to monitor, shape, and rate certain financial, social, religious, or political behaviors.

c) United States person - The referenced category of people shall refer to a United States citizen; a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States; or an entity organized under the laws of the United States; or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.

Section II - Establishment of Policy and Certifications:

a) It is the policy of the United States to reaffirm the principles and objectives set forth in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–383), namely that the United States has “a strong interest in the continued vitality, prosperity, and stability of Hong Kong”; “[s]upport for democratization is a fundamental principle of United States foreign policy” and therefore “naturally applies to United States policy toward Hong Kong”; “the human rights of the people of Hong Kong are of great importance to the United States and are directly relevant to United States interests in Hong Kong [and] serve as a basis for Hong Kong’s continued economic prosperity”; and Hong Kong must remain sufficiently autonomous from the People’s Republic of China to “justify treatment under a particular law of the United States, or any provision thereof, different from that accorded the People’s Republic of China”. It is also the policy of the United States to support the high degree of autonomy and fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, as enumerated by the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong, done at Beijing December 19, 1984 (referred to in this Act as the “Joint Declaration”); the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New York December 19, 1966; and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, done at Paris December 10, 1948. It is also the policy of the United States to support the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong, including the “ultimate aim” of the selection of the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage, as articulated in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (referred to in this Act as the “Basic Law”); to urge the Government of the People’s Republic of China to uphold its commitments to Hong Kong, including allowing the people of Hong Kong to govern Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy and without undue interference, and ensuring that Hong Kong voters freely enjoy the right to elect the Chief Executive and all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council by universal suffrage; to support the establishment of a genuine democratic option to freely and fairly nominate and elect the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the establishment by 2020 of open and direct democratic elections for all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council; to support the robust exercise by residents of Hong Kong of the rights to free speech, the press, and other fundamental freedoms, as provided by the Basic Law, the Joint Declaration, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; to support freedom from arbitrary or unlawful arrest, detention, or imprisonment for all Hong Kong residents, as provided by the Basic Law, the Joint Declaration, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; to draw international attention to any violations by the Government of the People’s Republic of China of the fundamental rights of the people of Hong Kong, as provided by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and any encroachment upon the autonomy guaranteed to Hong Kong by the Basic Law and the Joint Declaration; to protect United States citizens and long-term permanent residents living in Hong Kong, as well as people visiting and transiting through Hong Kong; to maintain the economic and cultural ties that provide significant benefits to both the United States and Hong Kong; and to coordinate with allies, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, to promote democracy and human rights in Hong Kong.

b) Title II of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 is amended to include that except as provided in the Act's exceptions, the Secretary of State, on at least an annual basis, and in conjunction with the report required under section 301, shall issue a certification to Congress that indicates whether Hong Kong continues to warrant treatment under United States law in the same manner as United States laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1, 1997. The certification shall also address commercial agreements; law enforcement cooperation, including extradition requests; sanctions enforcement; export controls, and any other agreements and forms of exchange involving dual use, critical, or other sensitive technologies; any formal treaties or agreements between the United States and Hong Kong; other areas of bilateral cooperation that the Secretary determines to be relevant; and decision-making within the Government of Hong Kong, including executive, legislative, and judicial structures, including freedom of assembly; freedom of speech; freedom of expression; and freedom of the press, including the Internet and social media; universal suffrage, including the ultimate aim of the selection of the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage; judicial independence; police and security functions; education; laws or regulations regarding treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China, or theft of state secrets; laws or regulations regarding foreign political organizations or bodies; laws or regulations regarding political organizations; and other rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, done at Paris December 10, 1948, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New York December 19, 1966. The certification shall also include an assessment of the degree of any erosions to Hong Kong’s autonomy in each category listed in this paragraph resulting from actions by the Government of the People’s Republic of China that are inconsistent with its commitments under the Basic Law or the Joint Declaration; an evaluation of the specific impacts to any areas of cooperation between the United States and Hong Kong resulting from erosions of autonomy in Hong Kong or failures of the Government of Hong Kong to fulfill obligations to the United States under international agreements within the categories listed in this Act; and a list of any specific actions taken by the United States Government in response to any erosion of autonomy or failures to fulfill obligations to the United States under international agreements identified in this certification and the report required in this paragraph.

c) Title II of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 is also amended so that in making each certification under Section II, the Secretary of State should consider the terms, obligations, and expectations expressed in the Joint Declaration with respect to Hong Kong. The certification under Section II shall be also be issued annually, but the Secretary may issue additional certifications at any time if the Secretary determines it is warranted by circumstances in Hong Kong. The Secretary of State may waive the application of Section II if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States; and on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect, the Secretary notifies the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of the intent to waive such subsection. Except for the list of actions taking directly by the United States government, the Secretary of State may waive relevant parts of the application of Section II if the President issues an Executive order that suspends the application of any particular United States law to Hong Kong.

d) Title II of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 is also amended so that notwithstanding any other provision of law, applications for visas to enter, study, or work in the United States, which are submitted by otherwise qualified applicants who resided in Hong Kong in 2014 and later, may not be denied primarily on the basis of the applicant’s subjection to politically-motivated arrest, detention, or other adverse government action. The Secretary of State shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that consular officers are aware of the policy described in this Act and receive appropriate training and support to ensure that the policy is carried out so that affected individuals do not face discrimination or unnecessary delay in the processing of their visa applications, including providing specialized training for all consular officers posted to the United States Embassy in Beijing or to any United States consulate in the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or the Macau Special Administrative Region; instructing the United States Consulate in Hong Kong to maintain an active list of individuals who are known to have been formally charged, detained, or convicted by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, or intermediaries of such governments, based on politically-motivated considerations related to their exercise of rights enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, done at Paris December 10, 1948, or the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New York December 19, 1966, to facilitate the cross-checking of visa applications for Hong Kong residents; and updating any relevant United States Government websites with information on the policy described in this Act.

e) The Secretary of State shall contact appropriate representatives of other democratic countries, particularly those who receive a large number of applicants for student and employment visas from Hong Kong to inform them of the United States policy regarding arrests for participation in nonviolent protests in Hong Kong; and to encourage them to take similar steps to ensure the rights of nonviolent protesters are protected from discrimination due to the actions of the Government of Hong Kong and of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

Section III - Establishment of Reports:

a) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that is 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to the committees specified in Section I that includes an assessment of the nature and extent of violations of United States export control and sanctions laws occurring in Hong Kong; to the extent possible, the identification of any items that were reexported from Hong Kong in violation of the laws referred to in Section II; the countries and persons to which the items referred to in Section II were reexported; and how such items were used. The report shall also include an assessment of whether sensitive dual-use items subject to the export control laws of the United States are being transshipped through Hong Kong; and used to develop the Sharp Eyes, Skynet, Integrated Joint Operations Platform, or other systems of mass surveillance and predictive policing; or the “social credit system” of the People’s Republic of China. The report shall also include an assessment of the efforts by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to use the status of Hong Kong as a separate customs territory to import items into the People’s Republic of China from Hong Kong in violation of the export control laws of the United States, whether as part of the Greater Bay Area plan, through the assignment by Beijing of Hong Kong as a national technology and innovation center, or through other programs that may exploit Hong Kong as a conduit for controlled sensitive technology; and an assessment of whether the Government of Hong Kong has adequately enforced sanctions imposed by the United Nations. The report shall also include a description of the types of goods and services transshipped or reexported through Hong Kong in violation of such sanctions to North Korea or Iran; or other countries, regimes, or persons subject to such sanctions for engaging in activities relating to international terrorism, international narcotics trafficking, or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; or that otherwise present a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States; and an assessment of whether shortcomings in the enforcement of export controls or sanctions by the Government of Hong Kong necessitates the assignment of additional Department of the Treasury, Department of Commerce, or Department of State personnel to the United States Consulate in Hong Kong.

b) It is the policy of the United States to safeguard United States citizens from extradition, rendition, or abduction to the People’s Republic of China from Hong Kong for trial, detention, or any other purpose; to safeguard United States businesses in Hong Kong from economic coercion and intellectual property theft; pursuant to the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, to encourage United States businesses “to continue to operate in Hong Kong, in accordance with applicable United States and Hong Kong law”; and pursuant to this Act, to evaluate, not less frequently than annually and as circumstances, dictate whether the Government of Hong Kong is “legally competent to carry out its obligations” under treaties and international agreements established between the United States and Hong Kong.

c) Not later than 30 days after the President determines that legislation proposed or enacted by the Government of Hong Kong would put United States citizens at risk of extradition or rendition to the People’s Republic of China or to other countries that lack protections for the rights of defendants, the President shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that contains a strategy for protecting United States citizens and businesses in Hong Kong; assesses the potential risks of the legislation to United States citizens residing in, traveling to, or transiting through Hong Kong; and determines whether additional resources are needed for American Citizen Services at the United States Consulate in Hong Kong; and the Government of Hong Kong is “legally competent” to administer the United States-Hong Kong Agreement for the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders, done at Hong Kong December 20, 1996, or other relevant law enforcement agreements between the United States and Hong Kong.

d) The President shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees, in accordance with Section II, that identifies each foreign person that the President determines is responsible for the extrajudicial rendition, arbitrary detention, or torture of any person in Hong Kong; or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong. The President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees the report required under this Act not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and not less frequently than annually thereafter in conjunction with the publication of the report required under the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992; and an update to the report not later than 15 days after any new action is taken under Section II based on the discovery of new information. In preparing the report required under this Act, the President shall consider information provided jointly by the chairperson and ranking member of each of the appropriate congressional committees; and information obtained by other countries or reputable nongovernmental organizations that monitor violations of human rights abuses. The report required shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

Section IV - Authorization of Sanctions and Direct Action:

a) The President shall impose the sanctions described here with respect to each foreign person identified in the report required under this Act. The sanctions described in this subsection are the following: The President shall exercise all of the powers granted to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property of a foreign person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or come within the possession or control of a United States person. An alien described in the aforementioned report shall be inadmissible to the United States; ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act. An alien described in subsection is subject to revocation of any visa or other entry documentation regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is or was issued. A revocation shall take effect immediately; and automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession. The penalties provided for in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act shall apply to a foreign person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of Section II to the same extent that such penalties apply to a person that commits an unlawful act described in any reports called for in this Act The President may exercise all authorities provided under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to carry out this section.

b) The President may waive the application of sanctions under this section with respect to a person identified in the report if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is in the national interest of the United States. Sanctions under this section shall not apply to any activity subject to the reporting requirements under the National Security Act of 1947 or any authorized intelligence activities of the United States. Sanctions shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations; or to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the United States. The authorities and requirements to impose sanctions authorized under this section shall not include the authority or a requirement to impose sanctions on the importation of goods. In this paragraph, the term “good” means any article, natural or manmade substance, material, supply, or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, and excluding technical data.

c) The President may terminate the application of sanctions under this section with respect to a person if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees not less than 15 days before the termination takes effect that information exists that the person did not engage in the activity for which sanctions were imposed; the person has been prosecuted appropriately for the activity for which sanctions were imposed; the person has credibly demonstrated a significant change in behavior, has paid an appropriate consequence for the activity for which sanctions were imposed, and has credibly committed to not engage in an activity described in this Act's called for reports in the future; or the termination of the sanctions is in the national security interests of the United States. This section, and any sanctions imposed under this section, shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

d) In accordance with the sanctions in this Act, the President shall submit, to the appropriate congressional committees, a report that includes a list of each foreign person with respect to which the President imposed sanctions during the year preceding the submission of the report; a description of the type of sanctions imposed with respect to each such person; the number of foreign persons with respect to which the President terminated sanctions under this Act during that year; the dates on which such sanctions were imposed or terminated, as applicable; the reasons for imposing or terminating such sanctions; and a description of the efforts of the President to encourage the governments of other countries to impose sanctions that are similar to the sanctions authorized under this Act. The President shall publish the report required under this Act without regard to the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to confidentiality of records pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States.

e) It is the sense of Congress that the United States condemns the deliberate targeting and harassment of democracy activists, diplomatic personnel of the United States and other nations, and their families by media organizations controlled by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, including Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Po; the Secretary of State should clearly inform the Government of the People’s Republic of China that the use of media outlets to spread disinformation or to intimidate and threaten its perceived enemies in Hong Kong or in other countries is unacceptable; and the Secretary of State should take any activities described in this Act's called for reports into consideration when granting visas for travel and work in the United States to journalists from the People’s Republic of China who are affiliated with any such media organizations. It is sense of Congress that the Department of Commerce, in conjunction with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, should consider appropriate adjustments to the current United States export controls with respect to Hong Kong to prevent the supply of crowd control and surveillance equipment that could be used inappropriately in Hong Kong.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States Senate for consideration in order to support democracy and human rights in the nation-state of Hong Kong; to improve the United States Law; and is backed by Senator Jillian Dayton on September 9th, 2019.
Do Not Remove: 1337

An Act to Combat Online Predators and Prevent Scams Targeted at Senior Americans

Nickname: Combating Online Predators and Scams Act
Sponsor: Francine Sullivan (D-AK)
House Co-Sponsors: Felix Holt (D|VA-10)
Senate Co-Sponsors: Gordon Callahan Jr. (D-AL)

Overview: There is a widespread issue in the United States regarding online predators stalking and preying on Americans, particularly younger Internet users. Likewise, senior citizens have increasingly become targets of scams. These are widespread issues and crimes that must be addressed and studied in order to deter their continuance. It is this Congress’ duty to protect Americans and thus this Act will be a first step towards combating online predators and scams.

Section I - Definitions:

a) Online Predator - A person or group of people who commit the act of interstate stalking, as defined by Chapter 110A of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A.

b) Senior Scams - A scheme or plan used to deliberately trick or mislead older people for some benefit to the perpetrator, often monetary.

Section II - Provisions:

a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), if the victim of an online predator(s) is under the age of 18 years, the maximum imprisonment for the offense is 5 years greater than the maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for that offense in Chapter 110A of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A. This amended section shall henceforth be referred to as "Enhanced penalty for stalkers of children."

b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply to a person who violates Section 2261A if the person is subject to a sentence under section Chapter 110A of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261(b)(5); and the person is under the age of 18 at the time the offense occurred; or the victim of the offense is not less than 15 nor more than 17 years of age and not more than 3 years younger than the person who committed the offense at the time the offense occurred.

c) No later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress, which shall include an evaluation of Federal, Tribal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to stalking; and identify and describe those elements of such efforts that constitute the best practices for the enforcement of such laws. This report shall be issued as the Report on Best Practices Regarding Enforcement of Anti-Stalking Laws.

d) There is established a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group and thus referred to in this Act as the “Advisory Group”. The Advisory Group shall be composed of stakeholders such as the following individuals or the designees of those individuals: the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission; the Attorney General; the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection; representatives from each of the following sectors, including trade associations, to be selected by Federal Trade Commission: retail, gift cards, telecommunications, wire-transfer services, senior peer advocates, consumer advocacy organizations with efforts focused on preventing seniors from becoming the victims of scams, financial services, including institutions that engage in digital currency, prepaid cards; a prudential regulator, as defined by the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5481); the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network; and any other Federal, State, or local agency, industry representative, consumer advocate, or entity, as determined by the Federal Trade Commission.

e) A member of the Advisory Group shall serve without compensation in addition to any compensation received for the service of the member as an officer or employee of the United States, if applicable. The Advisory Group shall collect information on the existence, use, and success of educational materials and programs for retailers, financial services, and wire-transfer companies, which may be used as a guide to educate employees on how to identify and prevent scams that affect seniors. This guide shall include useful information: for retailers, financial services, and wire transfer companies for the purpose described in paragraph (f); for training for employees on ways to identify and prevent senior scams; for best practices for keeping employees up to date on current scams; for the most effective signage and placement in retail locations to warn seniors about scammers’ use of gift cards, prepaid cards, and wire transfer services; for suggestions on effective collaborative community education campaigns; for available technology to assist in identifying possible scams at the point of sale; and for other information that would be helpful to retailers, wire transfer companies, financial institutions, and their employees as they work to prevent fraud affecting seniors.

f) Based on the required studies and guides in paragraph (e), the Advisory Group shall identify inadequacies, omissions, or deficiencies in those educational materials and programs for the categories in paragraph (e) and their execution in reaching employees to protect older adults; and create model materials, best practices guidance, or recommendations to fill those inadequacies, omissions, or deficiencies that may be used by industry and others to help protect older adults from scams. The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall make the materials or guidance created by the Federal Trade Commission described in this paragraph and paragraph (e) publicly available; and encourage the use and distribution of the materials created under this subsection to prevent scams affecting seniors by governmental agencies and the private sector.

g) The Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (34 U.S.C. 21711(c)(2)) is amended so that the Federal Trade Commission must provide relevant information and updates of newly created materials, guidance, or recommendations of the Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group established under paragraph (e) and (f) of this Act; any relevant views or considerations made by members of the Advisory Group that were not included in the Advisory Group’s model materials or considered an official recommendation by the Advisory Group; the Advisory Group’s findings about senior scams and industry educational materials and programs; and any recommendations on ways stakeholders can continue to work together to reduce scams affecting seniors in an issued Report from the Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States House of Representatives for consideration in order to protect both young and old Americans from novel crimes; to improve the United States Law; and is backed by Senator Francine Sullivan on September 9th, 2019.
Do Not Remove: 1337

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

ONE token Libertarian candidate. (though they're a talkshow host but idc)

the Democratic-Republican establishment needs to be SHOOK.

We have a bunch of libertarians already, but there is one requirement to join the libertarian club in this RP.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

I think these are all the bills written in recess, 3 Sullivan, 2 Dayton, and 1 Ruler.

If anyone would like to cosponsor any of them, please let me know

-bills snip-

Oh, and the same goes for these:

An Act to Create a New Armed Force to Serve United States' Interests in Outer Space
Nickname: Sullivan-Tenson Space Force Act or simply, Space Force Act

Sponsors: Francine Sullivan (D-AK) and Earl Tenson (R|MT)
House Co-Sponsors: John Logan Ruler (R|IA-4), Caroline Simone (D|NY-12), Thomas Volker (R|MO-8), Diane Paulson (R|ME-2), Davit Papazian (R|CA-28), Theodore Vohoffsky (R|CA-45), Matt Walker (D|WA-4), Phillip Crawford (D|KY-3), and Kevin Villalobos (R|FL-4)
Senate Co-Sponsors: Augusta Merriam (R-NH), Erika Goldman (D-CT), Michelle Brown (R-WY), Everett Colbert (R-UT), Howard Frankston (R-TX), and Jillian Dayton (D-VA)

Overview: As the world and humanity continues to advance scientifically and technologically, the future of all nations will surely begin to turn towards the skies and eventually towards outer space. It is then necessary that the United States of America demonstrate its leadership in scientific and technological advances in space. Not only is there a need to protect American interests in space but a simultaneous need to deter any aggression in outer space as well as conduct space operations. For these reasons, it is clear that the United States needs a dedicated force to oversee the accomplishments of these measures and thus, there is a need for the establishment of the United States Space Force.

Section I - Redesignation and Composition:

a) The Air Force Space Command is hereby re-designated as the United States Space Force and shall be referred to as such or as USSF when abbreviated. There is established a United States Space Force as an independent armed force within the Department of the Air Force.

b) The Space Force shall be composed of the Chief of Space Operations and the space forces & such assets as may be organic therein. The Space Force shall be organized, trained, and equipped to provide freedom of operation for the United States in, from, and to space; and prompt and sustained space operations. It shall be the duty of the Space Force to protect the interests of the United States in space; deter aggression in, from, and to space; and conduct space operations.

c) Effective as of the date of the enactment of this Act, there shall be assigned to the Space Force such members of the Air Force as the Secretary of the Air Force shall specify. The Secretary shall carry out this subsection within military personnel of the Air Force otherwise authorized by this Act. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize additional military billets for the purposes of, or in connection with, the establishment of the Space Force.

Section II - Personnel:

a) There is a Chief of Space Operations, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the general officers of the Air Force. The Chief serves at the pleasure of the President. The Chief shall be appointed for a term of four years. In time of war or during a national emergency declared by Congress, the Chief may be reappointed for a term of not more than four years. The Chief, while so serving, has the grade of general without vacating the permanent grade of the officer. Except as otherwise prescribed by law, the Chief performs the duties of such position under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force and is directly responsible to the Secretary. Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief shall preside over the Office of the Chief of Space Operations; transmit the plans and recommendations of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations to the Secretary and advise the Secretary with regard to such plans and recommendations; after approval of the plans or recommendations of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations by the Secretary, act as the agent of the Secretary in carrying them into effect; exercise supervision, consistent with the authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands under chapter 6 of this title, over such of the members and organizations of the Space Force as the Secretary determines; and perform such other military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned to the Chief by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the Air Force.

b) Commencing one year after the date of the enactment of the United States Space Force Act, the Chief of Space Operations shall be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. To the extent that such action does not impair the independence of the Chief in the performance of the duties of the Chief as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief shall inform the Secretary of the Air Force regarding military advice rendered by members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters affecting the Department of the Air Force. Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense, the Chief shall keep the Secretary of the Air Force fully informed of significant military operations affecting the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary.

c) The individual serving as Commander of the Air Force Space Command as of the day before the date of the enactment of this Act may serve as the Chief of Space Operations per U.S. Code and after that date without further appointment as otherwise provided. During the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense may authorize an officer serving as the Chief of Space Operations to serve concurrently as the Commander of the United States Space Command, without further appointment.

d) There is in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force a council to be known as the Space Force Acquisition Council which shall be subsequently referred to as the Council in this section. The members of the Council are as follows: the Under Secretary of the Air Force; the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, who shall act as chair of the Council; the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy; the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office; the Chief of Space Operations; and the Commander of the United States Space Command. The Council shall oversee, direct, and manage acquisition and integration of the Air Force for space systems and programs in order to ensure integration across the national security space enterprise. The Council shall meet not less frequently than monthly. Not later than 30 days after the end of each calendar year quarter through the first calendar year quarter of 2025, the Council shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the activities of the Council during the calendar year quarter preceding the calendar year quarter in which such report is submitted.

e) One of the Assistant Secretaries is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. The principal duty of the Assistant Secretary shall be the overall supervision of policy of the Department of Defense for space warfighting. The Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center on the development of recommendations as to the appropriate elements of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, including, in particular, whether the elements of the Office should include elements on space that are currently assigned to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence or the Military Intelligence Program. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives the recommendations of and to this force together with an assessment of such recommendations by the Secretary.

f) The Principal Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force for Space is hereby redesignated as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. Any reference to the Principal Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force for Space in any law, regulation, map, document, record, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. One of the Assistant Secretaries is the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Assistant Secretary shall do as follows: be responsible for all architecture and integration of the Air Force for space systems and programs, including in support of the Chief of Space Operations of this title; act as the chair of the Space Force Acquisition Council; advise the service acquisition executive of the Air Force with responsibility for space systems and programs (including for all major defense acquisition programs for space) on the acquisition of such systems and programs by the Air Force; oversee and direct each of the following: the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the Space Development Agency; advise and synchronize acquisition projects for all space systems and programs of the Air Force, including projects for space systems and programs responsibility for which is transferred to the Assistant Secretary; and effective as of the date of this Act's passage, serve as the Service Acquisition Executive of the Department of the Air Force for Space Systems and Programs. The Secretary of the Air Force shall transfer to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration responsibility for architecture and integration of any acquisition projects for space systems and programs of the Air Force that are under the oversight or direction of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.

g) There shall be within the Department of the Air Force a Service Acquisition Executive of the Department of the Air Force for Space Systems and Programs. The individual serving as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration shall also serve as the Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs. The individual serving as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration may also serve as the Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs only if appointed as the Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, pursuant to a nomination submitted to the Senate on or after that date. The Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs shall have within the Department of the Air Force all the authorities and responsibilities of a service acquisition executive for the Department of the Air Force with respect to space systems and programs. The Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs shall be in addition to the service acquisition executive in the Department of the Air Force for all acquisition matters of the Department of the Air Force other than with respect to space systems and programs. No later than a month following the Act's passage, the Secretary of the Air Force shall issue guidance for the Department of the Air Force on the authorities and responsibilities of the Service Acquisition Executive for Space Systems and Programs and the authorities and responsibilities of the service acquisition executive of the Department for all acquisition matters of the Department other than with respect to space systems and programs.

h) Except as specifically provided by this Act, a member of the Space Force shall be treated as a member of the Air Force for the purpose of the application of any provision of law, including provisions of law relating to pay, benefits, and retirement; and a civilian employee of the Space Force shall be treated as a civilian employee of the Air Force for the purpose of the application of any provision of law, including provisions of law relating to pay, benefits, and retirement. For purposes of the appointment or enlistment of individuals as members of the Space Force pending the integration of the Space Force into the laws providing for the appointment or enlistment of individuals as members of the Armed Forces, appointments and enlistments of individuals as members of the Armed Forces in the Space Force may be made in the same manner in which appointments and enlistments of individuals as members of the Armed Forces in the other Armed Forces may be made by law.

Section III - Installations, Appropriations, and Implementation:

a) Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to authorize or require the relocation of any facility, infrastructure, or military installation of the Air Force.

b) Any amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2019 by previous appropriations acts and available for the Air Force may be obligated and expended for programs, projects, and activities for space, including personnel and acquisition programs, projects, and activities, for and in connection with the establishment of the Space Force and the discharge of the other requirements of this title and the amendments made by this subtitle.

c) The total amount obligated and expended in fiscal year 2019 from amounts authorized beforehand for and in connection with the establishment of the Space Force and the discharge of the requirements may not exceed the total amount requested for the Space Force in the budget of the President for fiscal year 2019 and then fiscal year 2020, as submitted to Congress.

d) Except as specifically provided by this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall implement this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, by no later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 60 days thereafter until March 31, 2023, the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Space Operations shall jointly provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the status of the implementation of the Space Force pursuant to this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle. Each briefing shall address the current missions, operations and activities, manpower requirements and status, and budget and funding requirements and status of the Space Force, and such other matters with respect to the implementation and operation of the Space Force as the Secretary and the Chief jointly consider appropriate to keep Congress fully and currently informed on the status of the implementation of the Space Force.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States Senate for consideration in order to protect and expand American interests in outer space; to improve the United States Law; and is backed by Senator Francine Sullivan on September 9th, 2019.
Do Not Remove: 1337

An Act to Revise Certain Regulations and Reporting Methods Related to Energy Needs in Alaska and Other Remote Areas in the United States

Nickname: Alaska Remote Generator Act of 2019
Sponsor: Francine Sullivan (D-AK)
House Co-Sponsors: Jay Dietrich (R-AK)
Senate Co-Sponsors: None

Overview: There is a significant need to prevent catastrophic failure or shutdown of remote diesel power engines due to emission control devices in remote areas, especially in America's Last Frontier also known as Alaska. For that reason, there is a need to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise certain regulations regarding particulate matter emissions standards for nonemergency stationary diesel engines in remote areas of Alaska. Additionally, the EPA should report on methods for assisting remote areas of Alaska in meeting specified energy needs.

Section I - Provisions:

a) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall revise Section 60.4216(c) of Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations by striking “that was not certified” and all that follows through “compared to engine-out emissions” and inserting “must have that engine certified as meeting at least Tier 3 PM standards” in it's place. This revision shall occur at once following this Act's enactment.

b) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report assessing options for the Federal Government to assist remote areas in the State of Alaska and other majority rural counties in the continent United States in meeting the energy needs of those areas in an affordable and reliable manner using: existing emissions control technology; or other technology that achieves emissions reductions similar to the technology described in paragraph (a). This report shall be named and referred to as the Emissions And Energy Reliability Study.

This bill is then honorably presented to the United States House of Representatives for consideration in order to improve the fulfillment of energy needs in remote areas of the country; to improve the United States Law; and is backed by Senator Francine Sullivan on September 9th, 2019.
Do Not Remove: 1337

[HypErcApitAl]

ONE token Libertarian candidate. (though they're a talkshow host but idc)

the Democratic-Republican establishment needs to be SHOOK.

We have a bunch of libertarians already, but there is one requirement to join the libertarian club in this RP.

What's the requirement?

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

We have a bunch of libertarians already, but there is one requirement to join the libertarian club in this RP.

What's the requirement?

Be bisexual.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

ONE token Libertarian candidate. (though they're a talkshow host but idc)

the Democratic-Republican establishment needs to be SHOOK.

this is why I want to take over Haverford!

[HypErcApitAl]

What's the requirement?

Be bisexual.

Perfectly fine by me.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

Here Gord!

Also, you've missed Ruler's Academic Freedom act thing, its on the last page of the Congress page

• Sullivan-Tenson Space Force Act of 2019 - Senator Francine Sullivan (D-AK)
• Alaska Remote Generator Act of 2019 - Senator Francine Sullivan (D-AK)
• Combating Online Predators and Scams Act - Senator Francine Sullivan (D-AK)
• Democracy in Hong Kong Act of 2019 - Senator Jillian Dayton (D-VA)
• Protecting Appalachian Communities Act of 2019 - Senator Jillian Dayton (D-VA)
• Family Farm Defense Act of 2019 - Representative John Logan Ruler (R-IA-4)

[Titanne]

What's the requirement?

Be bisexual.

Oh yeahhhhhh... what about Park?

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Be bisexual.

Oh yeahhhhhh... what about Park?

We'll see.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

As a heads up Hypercapital, you will have tremendous difficulty having much fun with a Libertarian character. The RP's quite reality-rooted, so a breakthrough candidacy is nigh-impossible, and you would have severely limited opportunities for interaction with other characters.

[HypErcApitAl]

As a heads up Hypercapital, you will have tremendous difficulty having much fun with a Libertarian character. The RP's quite reality-rooted, so a breakthrough candidacy is nigh-impossible, and you would have severely limited opportunities for interaction with other characters.

Shame. I could roll a Rep, but she'd come-off as "Too soft."

A Dem; she'd come-off as "Why is she a Democrat? She's too radical!"

I am open-minded and don't mind roleplaying a Dem-Rep char (though I feel like this game most-def need third-party representation)

[Gordano and Lysandus]

And as a note to Yaruqo, the Equality Act's no longer in my dockets so I'm assuming it was outright defeated in the Senate.

[Agarntrop]

The words don't matter, it's just him SOUNDING intelligent and strong. It's not the words, it's the affect from the words.

It doesn't sound intelligent, the metaphors don't make sense and the rhetoric sucks. Moreover he sounds like a domestic terrorist writing in his journal.

Good metaphor, lol

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

As a heads up Hypercapital, you will have tremendous difficulty having much fun with a Libertarian character. The RP's quite reality-rooted, so a breakthrough candidacy is nigh-impossible, and you would have severely limited opportunities for interaction with other characters.

Shame. I could roll a Rep, but she'd come-off as "Too soft."

A Dem; she'd come-off as "Why is she a Democrat? She's too radical!"

I am open-minded and don't mind roleplaying a Dem-Rep char (though I feel like this game most-def need third-party representation)

You could do [not-Angus King] when you're more experienced.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Oh, and trouble in the road for Holt. Larson's even more attractive than Vohoffsky.

[Latvijas Otra Republika]

Talk show/podcast host libertarian is such a trope

[Titanne]

Oh, and trouble in the road for Holt. Larson's even more attractive than Vohoffsky.

Oh no

Who's his model?

[Agarntrop]

WOO YARUQO's BACK

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Oh, and trouble in the road for Holt. Larson's even more attractive than Vohoffsky.

Oh no

Who's his model?

Plucked from Yaruqo's app.

[Titanne]

Oh no

Who's his model?

Plucked from Yaruqo's app.

Hmmmmm