Comm-Link:Congress Now - 2944-04-08

UUEE CONGRESS (396)

2944-04-08 SET

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2944-04-08_09:03 – Session Begins

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. If you will please take your seats, the clerk will initiate a call.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): As we have a quorum, we may now conduct business. Senator Han from Jalan indicated earlier that he required some more time before continuing his presentation of the possible amendments to the arrangement of flight paths, so we will open the floor for discussion. The chair recognizes the honorable senator from Vann.

SENATOR RACHEL LESTER (T-Vann-Croshaw Sys): Thank you, Speaker. My fellow senators, the Terra Gazette published a disturbing article by Galen York that exposed vast corruption within the Governors Council of Goss I who were taking payouts to buy considerations for exclusive shipping rights for goods off their planet. Mr. York’s article detailed how they would often accept payments from multiple companies for the same contract. I was shocked and disturbed by the brazen and flagrant disregard for the honor of their office. We live in difficult economic times; everyone knows that. Often, we, the government, become the target of blame from those who feel that we conspire and lie, that we’re against them. The actions of these corrupt Governors only reinforces that belief. However, I quickly realized that they would only feel that empowered if they had little fear of oversight. If it hadn’t been for the bravery of their former security aide coming forward, who knows how much longer their activities would have continued. In the wake of this event, I would like to present a motion to form a subcommittee to review the Senate’s current contract practices with private sector vendors.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Do you suspect a similar level of corruption here?

SENATOR RACHEL LESTER (T-Vann-Croshaw Sys): No, Speaker. I have no such preconceptions. I simply believe that it has been some time since we’ve had an internal review.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Are there any objections to Senator Lester’s motion?

SENATOR TRACEY GLENN (U-Saisei-Centauri Sys): I don’t have any objections, merely questions.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Chair recognizes the Senator from Centauri.

SENATOR TRACEY GLENN (U-Saisei-Centauri Sys): Thank you, Speaker. Senator, as I said, I have no issues with your motion, in fact, I think it’s good to police ourselves. However, I would ask that we keep the proceedings private and the findings strictly for internal review.

SENATOR RACHEL LESTER (T-Vann-Croshaw Sys): I would prefer that the committee’s actions be public. I think it shows that we are willing to be held accountable for any wrongdoings or illegal activity.

SENATOR TRACEY GLENN (U-Saisei-Centauri Sys): I understand. If there is corruption of any kind infecting this government, it should be quickly and efficiently excised, but you should also consider the fallout from such transparency. It is absolutely the case that some of our populace will share your views and consider an open committee investigating corruption to be the hallmark of justice and a testament to an administration’s desire to maintain moral standards. However, for a majority of the people, if your committee unearths any wrongdoing, of any kind, all it will do is fuel their distrust.

SENATOR RACHEL LESTER (T-Vann-Croshaw Sys): With all due respect, Senator, I don’t believe that we should limit our actions based on fear of how it could be perceived by the people, particularly not when it’s a simply question of right and wrong.

SENATOR TRACEY GLENN (U-Saisei-Centauri Sys): Again, I think you’re overestimating the rationality of the people. As you said yourself, people are frustrated and angry and they have every right to be. When you start talking about politicians receiving payments in one deal that, more than likely, eclipses what the average citizen or civilian makes in a decade, all they’re going to remember are the headlines, the crimes and another crooked politician, not that it was politicians who strove to ferret them out.

SENATOR RACHEL LESTER (T-Vann-Croshaw Sys): I think we should trust the people to see the difference.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): The Senator from Jalan has indicated that he is ready to continue his presentation. I would like to take a quick vote to form Senator Lester’s committee to review Imperial outsourcing practices. The clerk will commence the procedure.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): The motion has been passed. Senator Lester, please start compiling a list of senators you would like to serve on this committee and a rough schedule of process. I will also leave the decision to make the proceedings public or private to you.

SENATOR RACHEL LESTER (T-Vann-Croshaw Sys): Thank you, Speaker.

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