Post Archive
Region: The Thaecian Senate
Yeah this fixes all of the problems I found with it, in full support if these amendments are placed.
I fully back all three of the amendments provided by ICH.
Changed "Home Affairs Minister" to "Minister in charge of Domestic Affairs", and removed Amendment D since Sevae proposed a similar one
We are now voting on the amendments.
[spoiler=Amendment A]All instances of "The Cultural Ministry" are replaced with "The minister responsible for Home Affairs"[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Amendment B]
Adds Section II to Article I
This shall be categorised as an RP legislation. [/spoiler]
[spoiler=Amendment C]
Amends Article II Subsection A to be read as,
The Minister in charge of Domestic Affairs, in their capacity as a regional officer gameside, shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the Mental Health Resources List as needed; no later than every 6 months; in the event that weblinks are no longer functioning.
The minister in charge of Domestic Affairs, should they desire, may delegate this task to another regional officer, though the Home Affairs Minister shall still be responsible if the required tasks under this law are left unfulfilled within the stipulated duration
Should they fail to carry out the duties assigned to them, they shall have their regional officer powers game side removed from them for a duration of one week from the time the stipulated timeline ceases.[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Senators]
The Islamic Country Of Honour[/spoiler]
Aye to all.
Aye to all
Aye to A, nay to B and C
Aye to A, Nay to B and C
Aye to all
Nay to B and C
A passes, B and C fail.
We are now voting on the final bill
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=united_cascadian_peoples/detail=factbook/id=1604565
[spoiler=Senators]
Creckelenney[/spoiler]
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye. The bill has passed. Next business is the confirmation of Andusre for Foreign Affairs Minister. The nominee is invited to speak, so is PM Xernon
[spoiler=Senators]
Creckelenney[/spoiler]
Andusre, Xernon, Creckelenney, Emazia, The Islamic Country Of Honour
It's a bit awkward because I was approached too but think I wouldn't have time and energy and declined, and I do believe that Andy would do a better job during the rest of the term than I would.
But just for the sake of transparency, could you outline the remaining goals for the Ministry and how you would go about accomplishing them?
Otherwise there are no questions for me to ask. I think you're inherently qualified and will do a good job; besides, there really isn't a lot of time left anyway
Andusre, Emazia
I would not like to ask the candidate any question, because the intention of asking questions is to assess if the Candidate, Mr. Andusre, is qualified for this job, and thus if I ask questions, it would be to assess something I already know: Andy is made for this job. If I were asked to name at least one person who played a key role in putting Thaecia on the global map and has helped protect our interests due to some smart thinking, strategy, and a high level of dedication, I would name the nominee who is sitting in front of us. Even when he was not Foreign Affairs Minister, he has been at the forefront of most of the internal consultations the Ministry holds.
And let me end with another cringe comparison of mine: Questioning Andy to find out if he is capable of helming the Ministry, is like asking Micheal Schumacher to take a basic driving test.
Andusre, Emazia
I have a couple of questions, even though I intend to vote for, mostly for transparency, are there any bigger plans you have for the term? With the Stronghold/Frontier update, FA will be involved quite a bit, I know you can handle it but I want to know how exactly will FA respond to it if at all?
Andusre, Emazia, Sevae
I now inaugurate St Espere as a Senator
My goals for the remaining 2-3 weeks of the term are to keep things moving between the end of this term and the next. I don't intend to serve as FAM next term (due to the presidential election) so I view my prospective role in the ministry as keeping things smooth sailing, making sure nothing goes wrong & dealing with it if it unfortunately does, and preparing for the term ahead. A caretaker FAM, essentially.
To be honest, not really. There is a project with Balder which the Ministry has been working on and from what I've been told we're looking to wrap that up in the coming weeks, likely to fall in this administration's first term - that will probably be the ministry's biggest priority but aside from that, as mentioned above, the plan is to keep things moving whilst we wait for the election.
Well, I don't expect the Stronghold/Frontier update will be released during my term as FAM but it will most certainly be on our radar. Specifically, if we plan to become a frontier (which is incredibly unlikely in my opinion), the FA Ministry will have a critical role in establishing alliances and non-aggression pacts with regions to ensure the region's long-term stability & security. If we stay as a Stronghold but establish satellite regions, we will need to co-ordinate with the military to set those regions up and with our allies to ensure those satellite regions don't get invaded - and if they do, so we can win them back again. So regardless of our choice, the FAM will have an important role to play there. Whether the update falls in the next few weeks is unlikely but yet to be seen, we'll definitely be on our toes for it though.
Xernon, The Islamic Country Of Honour, Sevae, Baobab In Thaecia
I'm satisfied with the answers given and do intend to support the nomination.
Andusre
I have a few questions for the nominee.
1. What would you say your general philosophy or approach to foreign policy and diplomacy is? How would this differ from that espoused by Ashlawn, Altys, myself, or (even further back) Biggs?
2. I know you were a big champion of the work which culminated in the signing of the Treaty of the Cross and the Crow? Are you planning to introduce initiatives in the next two weeks which would see us cooperate more closely with Balder or other new allies?
3. What are your plans for the remainder of the term? Do you have plans to introduce new treaties to the Senate or open any new embassies? If so, with whom?
4. What is Thaecia's role in using the WA to advance our foreign policy goals? How do you envision us using the WA, if at all, to reach our goals in the next few weeks?
Andusre
Somewhat of a difficult question largely because the guiding philosophies of the previous FAMs have overlapped significantly. A key dichotomy that has emerged in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is whether or not it's right to open "big" embassies before a relationship has been developed. Our president very ardently believes that we should not open on-site embassies with large regions before we have developed a working diplomatic relationship & have proven that co-operation is possible. I definitely agree with this, but I also want the Ministry to strike a balance between cultivating strong diplomatic ties with our existing network, and not passing up great diplomatic opportunities presented by other regions. This is why I vocally supported the the embassy opening with TSP and the treaty with Balder because I believe we ought to be flexible and willing to compromise in how we approach friendly regions who want to build a relationship with us - big or small.
Yes, but I am not 100% certain if I'm allowed to say exactly what it is yet. I'd need confirmation from Prime Minister Xernon first. Either way, I don't think I'll get in trouble for at least saying it's not a controversial plan.
I have no intention to introduce any new treaties, open any new embassies or to approach any other region about that. As mentioned above, my intention for the remainder of the term is to keep things smooth sailing until a new FAM is selected after the election.
The WA is a massively important way that we can advance our foreign policy goals. Since our delegacy typically sits anywhere from 100-150 endorsements, this puts us in the medium-somewhat large group of UCRs, and as a result our vote is highly consequential. We saw this in the current vote to Commend Libertanny. Though the proposal itself looks unfortunately unlikely to pass, our delegate is voting for not only to support Lib's commendability but also as a show of support to our closest ally, The East Pacific. The SC is often highly politicised and our votes in the WA absolutely must reflect the commitments we have to support ourselves, our friends & allies.
Xernon, St Espere
Closure of the Hearing and Opening of the Vote
The Esteemed Senators are informed that the Debate Period has concluded and we shall now be voting on the Honourable Gentleman Mr. Andusres nomination as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
[spoiler=Senators]
[/spoiler]
United Cascadian Peoples, Andusre, Xernon, Creckelenney
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Vote is closed. Andusre has been confirmed unanimously 5-0-0
We are now debating the Unanimous Consent Act https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1608509
[spoiler=Senators]
[/spoiler]
Creckelenney
I see no problems with this legislation. Let's do it.
Senators, due to a potential constitutional issue regarding quorums, I have amended the bill by adding the following, a majority of the representatives in the chamber have acknowledged the motion and in order to ensure compliance.
Edit: Also changed an instance of "member of" to "representative in" for consistency's sake.
Its cool, I like it.
It is a noble initiative by the Justice Minister Democratized Peoples, and I commend him for bringing up such an idea, but I had a few concerns. Let's say, a party commands a majority in the House of Commons or the Senate. Through this, that said party could ram through any bill without even allowing the Opposition try to debate on the floor of Congress and change the minds of other legislators. It is common for many legislators to change their minds after reading through a debate that has occurred on the floor, and with unanimous consent, we will technically be removing the debate period, which also serves as a period where the legislators get to think and decide after reading the arguments, whether they are going to support or not. For example, if Peeps asked me if I supported this bill before placing this in the Senate, I would give an affirmative reply, but now, after getting some time to think, I am on the fence.
And the problem is, if we ram through a significant list of bills, there's a possibility, we might even run out of bills to debate and vote on. Now that, we have a well-written Constitution and a well-developed Law Registry, I expect less bills to be added to the docket from now on. For example, after this, from what I think, the Senate does not have any other bills to debate.
No, no they couldn't. Section 2 of the bill prevents explicitly the problem that you're claiming exists. Even one objection renders moot the Unanimous Consent request.
The Islamic Country Of Honour
Thanks for pointing that out, Mr. Senator. Since such a scenario is unlikely to happen with that clause in place, I am now in favour of rhe bill.
Creckelenney
We are now voting on the Unanimous Consent Act https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1608509
[spoiler=Senators]
[/spoiler]
Nay
Marvinville
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
The act has passed 3-1-0
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=snowflame/detail=factbook/id=1570365
We are now debating the Congressional Internship Act
Senators The Islamic Country Of Honour, Creckelenney, St Espere
Creckelenney
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=snalland/detail=factbook/id=1530893
and this one too, 2 bills at once again
Creckelenney
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1566213
and apparently we're also making Cerdenia King!
Cerdenia, Brototh, Creckelenney, Marvinville
cerd is already emperor this bill is null
Creckelenney
I'm fine with Snalland's bill, though I would like to see the 24 hour limit down to 12 and the 72 to 48.
Additionally, I don't really like the Congressional Internship Bill. [Trying to work on something now, going to elaborate later.]
Creckelenney
Very good piece of legislation, I commend the author.
Brototh, Creckelenney
RoCRSaSoTaiCA:
Yes.
Congressional internship bill:
I dont see a point with this bill. Yes, it creates an official internship, but anyone successful in applying as an intern can do nothing a normal citizen cant do, aside from a single post, that is meant for a factbook.
So yeah. Honestly, I dont see any point in passing this, other than the vague idea of allowing more people to join the government.
Resignation Formalization Act:
We just had an incident about exactly what this bill is aiming to prevent. I feel like this is, if not necessary, useful. However, I dont think Ministers should require approval to resign, and I agree with St Espere that the time limits should be changed.
Although I would like to submit one amendment for the RoCRSaSoTaiCA:
[spoiler=Amendment A]
Amends Article I Section I of the RoCRSaSoTaiCA to read as follows:
This act hereby recognises Thaecia's "Official Status" of Government as being a "Constitutional Monarchy".[/spoiler]
Anyways, re: the Congressional Internship Bill.
I'm all for more staff for the Legislature. However, I would like to see something like actual professional procedural assistants and policy analysts created for Chamber Leadership before we ask people to be interns for the body. Largely because a) members would likely be offloading policy analysis from bills onto the interns where there is no guidance for what they should be doing in this bill and no guidance for what expectations are beside announcing how they would have voted (which if nonsensical, they're here to learn how to operate, not to be political actors) and b) that item of work should not be left in the hands of folks who, frankly, have no experience. I think it's a worthwhile idea but I would much rather have professional chamber staff who can advise us on the implications of bills and can advise the Chairman on procedural questions rather than for us to seek out interns who are essentially mini mes.
It's a [I]hard[/I] no from me.
Creckelenney
On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, it's been over 36 hours since the last meaningful member contribution.
Is it not time for the Senate to take up voting on my honorable friend Creckelenney's amendment?
Alright, but firstly I'm not really sold on either of the two. I agree with Hulldom and Creck about the Internship Act, but my reasoning is just that it's too bureaucratic and I don't think it should really be codified like that. If you want to hire an intern, just say so. It's a noble idea and probably should be pursued by individual Congress members to familiarise others with law, but not something that should be super official. Besides, it clashes with the CRA as per the RMB usage section, which doesn't allow private citizens to post on the RMB at all.
The resignation act I can get behind. We definitely need such a mechanism
Creckelenney
We are now voting on Amendment A to the RoCRSaSoTaiCA
[spoiler=Amendment A]
Amends Article I Section I of the RoCRSaSoTaiCA to read as follows:
This act hereby recognises Thaecia's "Official Status" of Government as being a "Constitutional Monarchy".[/spoiler]
Noting that you can still submit amendments to the other acts, like St Espere wanted, for instance. For now we're just voting on this one
Cerdenia, Creckelenney
I vote Aye
Creckelenney
Aye
Aye
could have just asked me to amend it rather than holding this vote, but alright
Nay.
No jokes in our Law Registry.
You are the one joking here.
Brototh, The Islamic Country Of Honour
In any case, the amendment passes 3-1
We are now voting on two bills where everyone's opinion is clear.
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=snowflame/detail=factbook/id=1570365
Congressional Internship Act
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1566213
RoCRSaSoTaiCA
I vote Nay to the first one, Aye to the second one
Nay to the Internship act, Aye to the RoCRSaSoTaiCA.
Nay to both.
As a note for my fellow senators, these are the proposed changes to the RFA.
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1613732
Abstain on the first act, Nay on the Cerdenia as King Bill.
Reasonings will be presented as soon as I have tomorrow, sorry I should have provided it earlier today.
Both of these bills fail.
We are now voting on these amendments.
https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1613732
I vote aye
Aye
Aye to all.
The amendments have passed
https://www.nationstates.net/nation=snalland/detail=factbook/id=1530893
We are now voting on the final bill of the term!
Creckelenney
Aye
I would ask that we make sure the amendments are made, Snalland. Aye.
Amendments added.
Aye
Should this pass, I suggest the House to add a clause that any intent to resign or an intent to rescind the resignation, shall be stated on the RMB of Thaecia and its associated regions.
Aye. The bill passes unanimously. Obviously I believe our version is superior and I'd like the House not to amend it :p
There will be no next business, you're welcome to make any closing statements you want. Unless something urgent arises
The Islamic Country Of Honour
Announcement From The Chairman
As we draw curtains on a productive term, which has seen us completing all the bills that was sent to us Alhamdulillah, I would like to thank all the Senators for the work they have done with complete dedication and to the best of their ability. While the region has faced a surge in partisan politics, the Senate largely remained unhampered from all these conflicts and it is thanks to the co-operation and efforts of all these honourable Senators.
We have employed new methods and tactics, such as the confirmation of multiple Ministers/debating on multiple bills at a time, which I hope, the next Senate uses to speed up its work, and approve bills for the welfare of this state.
As we move on to another term, it is also important to have some aims going into it. Our first and foremost aim should be to, keep partisan considerations behind when you are sitting in the Senate / House, and enable yourself to make decisions with an open mind. Let rationality decide your stance on bills, and not ideology. A one-size fits all ideology is not what Thaecia needs, Thaecia needs a mix of both, new ideas and the retention of some of our fundamental systems which has led us to where we are.
And I also urge you all to try out some Executive works, because for a region to progress forward, it needs both of its tyres to move ahead, not just one!
Signing off,
The Islamic Country of Honour,
Chairman of the Senate
Xernon
Post by Republic Of Corgistan suppressed by a moderator.
In accordance with the results of the November General Election,
I hereby inaugurate the following individuals as Senators:
United Cascadian Peoples, Creckelenney, Angypt, The Islamic Country Of Honour, Vedenmark, The Sarangtus Lands, St Espere
The CDP for Senate Chairman has begun. To register your candidacy, please either post here or ping me in the congress discord server. I will edit this post to include all the candidates who declare. You all have about 24 hours to register candidacy.
- ICH
- Toerana V
[spoiler=Senators]
Vedenmark[/spoiler]
Toerana V, The Islamic Country Of Honour
I endorse The Islamic Country Of Honour for Chair.
United Cascadian Peoples, The Islamic Country Of Honour
I would like to walk for Chairman.
Xernon, Creckelenney
I would like to announce my non-intention of running.
The Islamic Country Of Honour
I am not running for chairman.
The Islamic Country Of Honour
I endorse ICH
The Islamic Country Of Honour
I declare my candidacy for Chairperson.
The Islamic Country Of Honour
Prepare some rap battle lyrics
Having received a declaration from each Senator on their intent or non-intent to stand for Chairman, we can now proceed to the Q&A Stage. The following Senators have declared their candidacy for Chairman:
- ICH
- Toerana V
Questions can only be directed toward the Senators above, and I would ask that all debate remain respectful. The Q&A portion will last for around 24 though this may change if everyone has asked what they want to.
[spoiler=Senators]
Vedenmark[/spoiler]
Toerana V, Creckelenney
To both candidates:
What are your primary goals for the term? Are there any particular policies you hope to bring up?
Toerana V, The Islamic Country Of Honour, Vedenmark
Thanks for the question, Mr. Senator.
The Chairman's responsibility is to manage the Senate, and thus it should not be a surprise when I say I would mainly focus on the management of the Senate. It is the responsibility of the Senators to determine the policy of the chamber, and in order to reflect that, I plan to let them have the say on almost all major plans regarding the business selection and any other plans of the Senate. While I discussed with the Deputy Chairman about all such policy decisions of the Senate, I feel it should be extended to all Senators this time.
I plan to do this by holding a vote among all the Senators, whenever I plan out the business of the Chamber, except when there is an urgent request from the Executive to pass a certain bill, or when a bill needs urgent approval. Senators will be given a choice of the available bills for debate, and they will then choose which one we shall proceed with. This shall take place in the Congressional server, we have Insha'Allah.
And also, it is the job of the Chairman to ensure the other citizens outside this chamber, are well-aware of the things the Senate is doing, and as such will publish a monthly or weekly summary of the Senate's business on the RMB so that the other citizens can be kept up-to-date about the affairs of the Senate Insha'Allah.
I also plan to DM the Senators whenever a vote is opened, to remind them to vote as soon as possible, and will also encourage them to provide reasonings for every vote they make in this chamber, so that the citizens who voted us in this office can be assured that the legislators are making well-thought decisions.
I'll also be open to new ideas on running the Chamber, and I really highly appreciate them, as evidenced by the fact that we tried out several new things last session, like confirming multiple Ministers at a time so that the Executive can start work at the earliest, and putting up multiple low-stake bills at a time, to increase the productivity of the Senate.
I am also thinking of creating a dispatch, which shall detail the Senators' votes on all the bills and business the Senators have contemplated, along with reasonings, if the Senators comply with my request of providing a reasoning whenever we vote.
Xernon, St Espere
Sorry for the delay.
I have no legislative agenda for this term. I do not believe that, even in times of partisanship, the position of Chairperson should be abused for political gain.
To further that point, it also means that I will not move to abuse the position of Chairperson to block proposals, regardless of my opinion on it.
I hold relatively controversial opinions on a number of things. Whether it's my stance on joining Antifa, my support of a complete citizens' democracy, whatever, I know exactly what it feels like to be pushed to the sidelines and ignored because the majority dissents. That isn't something I want to do to other people, each proposal deserves equal time and thought put into it regardless of popularity.
My only goal is to conduct the duties of Chairperson to the best of my ability, not make some long campaign or speech on "keeping the chamber active". An active chamber would be amazing, and I will certain do my duty and alert Senators to votes, Debates etc in public as a group or in private as necessary, but it's naïve to assume that the Chairperson can control the activity of individual legislators; anyone claiming to be able to keep the Senate super active is just lying to you. Senators fall inactive, ignore notifications and dms for a multitude of reasons and that is not something any of us can control.
I am a candidate for the Alternative Party, as such I am the Alternative to a party that has helped more than any to push us into an era of partisanship and infighting, and I will not be the individual that blocks proposals for some form of political gain.
Fairness and Equality, that is what I am proposing to you. An active Chairperson that gives every proposal the time it deserves regardless of its contents.
I will happily take any further questions in public or private (preferably via discord for private), and I thank the Honourable Senator Angypt for this question.
Of Altonianic Islands, Brototh
The Vote for Chairman has begun.
- ICH: Vedenmark, St Espere, The Islamic Country Of Honour, Angypt, The Sarangtus Lands
- Toerana V: Creckelenney, Toerana V
[spoiler=Senators]
Vedenmark[/spoiler]
Angypt
ICH
Ashlawn
ICH
Ashlawn
Ich vote for ICH
Ashlawn, Creckelenney
Toerana V
Ashlawn, Toerana V, Marvinville
Toerana V
Ashlawn, Creckelenney, Marvinville
Assembled with Dot's Region Saver.
Written by Refuge Isle.