Comm-Link:Congress Now - Amendment 27

UEE CONGRESS (396)

2946-5-17 SET

Session AutoScript

Proofed and Admitted – Archivist Yates (#57573BDF)

2946-5-17_18:24 – Transcript Excerpt Begins

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Senators, in an effort to not be here all night, please find your seats so we may continue.

< Indistinct chatter >

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Ladies and gentlemen, if we can’t come to an agreement on this supplemental appropriations bill the security of countless systems will be compromised. Necessary equipment won’t be purchased and numerous security personnel furloughed.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): That’s more like it. Now, before convening a vote on SA-43, are there any additional amendments to be considered?

SENATOR YORI CO (C-Green-Ellis Sys): Yes, Mr. Speaker.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): The honorable Senator from Green has the floor.

SENATOR YORI CO (C-Green-Ellis Sys): Thank you. This shouldn’t take too much time as Amendment 27 is a simple, straightforward and sensible addition to this bill. It would require that any elected Senator must be born a Human to have voting privileges in the UEE Senate.

< Loud chatter, gavel bang >

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Quiet in the chamber! The chair is obligated to remind Senator Co that amendments must be germane to the appropriations bills to which they are attached.

SENATOR YORI CO (C-Green-Ellis Sys): I am fully aware of parliamentary procedure, Mr. Speaker. I have represented the noble residents of Green for the last 60 years. SA-43 is a bill focused on ensuring the safety and security of this Empire; as is Amendment 27. Whether it’s Vanduul Kingships on the western front, Xi'An owned businesses invading UEE space or Tevarin being elected to these halls, the threat of aliens overtaking the UEE grows stronger by the day. Not all alien assaults on this Empire will come from capital ships. To see their threat through such a narrow lens is both ignorant and extremely dangerous.

SENATOR MIRA NGO (T-Terra-Terra Sys): Mr. Speaker, you can’t seriously be considering bringing this amendment to a vote. It is xenophobic, clearly aimed at Senator-elect Suj Kossi, and worst of all it overrides the will of the voters of Jalan.

SENATOR YORI CO (C-Green-Ellis Sys): I would advise Senator Ngo to read my amendment before expressing an opinion on it.

SENATOR MIRA NGO (T-Terra-Terra Sys): As you previously said, Senator, the intention of this amendment is simple and straightforward. Any witty or subtle rhetorical flourishes you have added to the amendment’s language won’t change my vote. It’s rotten to the core.

SENATOR YORI CO (C-Green-Ellis Sys): I want to make something clear. This is not an effort to keep the people of the UEE from voting for whatever candidate they want. If residents of a planet wish to elect an alien to the Senate, it is still allowed. That elected representative can become a member of this chamber. They can draft legislation, serve on committees, join in debates and perform all other such duties of the office. It merely prohibits that representative from casting a vote. Now before some in this chamber continue to slander this amendment, let me be clear that its intention is solely to ensure that the safety and security of Humanity remains in Human hands.

SENATOR MIRA NGO (T-Terra-Terra Sys): With such extremes views it’s no surprise the honorable Senator’s recent re-election bid failed. Regardless of what he says, this is political theater plan and simple. The real intention of Senator Co’s amendment is to make a bold political statement before he leaves office.

< Loud chatter, gavel bang >

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): The chair must remind Senators to keep their comments focused on the legislation and not each other.

SENATOR YORI CO (C-Green-Ellis Sys): Thanks you, Mr. Speaker. With that in mind, I would like to remind the chamber that even though some may not always agree with my legislation, my dedication to this Empire is unassailable. In my 60 years as a part of this illustrious body, I have authored or co-sponsored over 500 bills or amendments. Each one focused on bettering the UEE, not my own political position. The same can be said for Amendment 27. This isn’t about protecting my future but the Empire’s. Allowing non-Humans to hold high elected office is a slippery slope. Sure, it always starts off innocently enough. Today it’s Tevarin, but tomorrow who knows what sorts of creatures could be allowed to have a say in Humanity’s future. Maybe as Imperator? That’s why it’s my responsibility, as a representative of the concerned constituents of Green, to ensure that reality never comes to fruition.

SENATOR MIRA NGO (T-Terra-Terra Sys): Mr. Speaker, while I respect Senator Co’s right to legislate his extreme views, SA-43 is clearly not the proper place for it. If the Senator is so passionate about this amendment, he should find a like-minded Senator to shepherd it through the normal legislative process in the next Congressional session. In an effort to stop wasting everyone’s time can we please toss out this xenophobic and, from what I can gather from the rumblings in this room, unpopular amendment, so we can return our attention to SA-43?

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Senator Ngo, the chair’s job isn’t to assess the popularity of an amendment, merely its relevance to the bill. That said, Senator Co adroitly framed his argument so it relates to the security of this Empire. Now, there’s only one way to know if his concern is shared by a majority of this body.

SENATOR MIRA NGO (T-Terra-Terra Sys): Mr. Speaker, you can’t truly be —

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): Senator Ngo, a word …

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): We will now proceed with a vote on whether to attach Amendment 27, which would strip any non-Human of voting rights in the Senate, to the supplemental appropriations bill. Those who wish to read the amendment in full can now access it on their mobis.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): The “Nays” have it. Amendment 27 has failed. With that matter resolved, I once again ask, are there any additional amendments to be considered?

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): In that case, let’s proceed with the vote on the appropriations bill.

SPEAKER MARSHALL MADRIGAL (U-Borea-Magnus Sys): The “Ayes” carry. Archivist Yates, mark that the bill has passed.

END TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT