6th Senate Week in Review | 07/23-07/30
Written by Kasa and Evelyn
Edited by Grea Kriopia
Edited by Grea Kriopia
INTRODUCTION
Welcome back to Senate Week in Review. I would like to extend a special thanks to Evelyn for stepping in last week while I was away. After her excellent work on the previous issue, she joins me again today as co-writer. The EBC returns this week with a notable change to the series, the introduction of Star Senators.
Every week, the writer(s) of Senate Week in Review will take a look at the activity, contributions, and overall performance of each serving Senator throughout that week. The Senator that is judged to have the largest positive impact on Senate discussions throughout that week will be named the Star Senator for that week. Ultimately, the purpose of this system is to offer citizens a concise and clear spotlight on individuals who are excelling in their Senatorial roles.
Elections Act (2024)
Attorney General Calvin Coolidge noted this week that his concerns with the previous version of Speaker Rand’s bill (concerns which caused the bill to be vetoed) were no longer present in regards to the one currently under consideration. This is a good sign for Speaker Rand and proponents of Approval Voting, who now will likely not have to worry about a repeat of the prior bill’s failure.
That said, the new bill still has to pass the Senate. Senators appear to be waiting for Speaker Rand to publish his promised explanatory notes, so discussion on the bill stalled this week. Given the large scope and comprehensive nature of this bill, it seems like it still has a very long road to trek before it becomes law, if it ever does.
PAC Senate Voting Act (2024) & PAC Senate Contributions Act (2024)
As the current version of the act has so far failed to gain broad support, Speaker Rand suggested that the bill be tabled. Senator Cordova seconded a motion to table, although it should be noted that such a motion was never presented.
Senator Gem, who authored the bill, responded to Senator Sopo’s question about a rewritten bill granting the PAC speaking rights by stating that they would “be capable of drafting a new bill in the next day or two” on the 24th. Senator Gem also added that, given there was still clear Senate interest in a modified version of this bill, it would not make sense to table it.
Just after the draft of this article was written (and just prior to the announcement of their resignation), Senator Gem posted a rewritten bill, the People's Assembly Chair Senate Contributions Act. This bill, following the prevailing opinion within the Senate, would extend Senate speaking rights to the PAC Chair. It has so far received a positive response from Senator Cordova and Speaker Rand. The EBC will return next week with a more in-depth analysis on the bill.
People’s Assembly Referenda Act (2024) & Resolution 015: Recognizing the Nethelian Faith
There was no discussion within the Senate on either of these pieces of legislation this week.
Senator Gem's Resignation
Senator Gem announced their early resignation today in a letter posted to the Speaker's Office.
In their resignation letter, they expressed concerns regarding the current Senate's activity levels, commenting that "[they've] seen both Senator activity and public engagement fall to pitiful levels". Senator Gem's concerns regarding senate activity will likely resonate with the public - at the time of writing, the current Senate has only passed a single piece of legislation, the Substitute Reform Act. Senator Gem noted that they attempted to improve Senate activity by introducing "novel concepts such as cultural NBRs", though they stated that they "failed to put in the work to follow through with such projects."
Furthermore, Senator Gem said that they may risk spreading themselves too thin if they continue their Senate term alongside their other responsibilities, NationStates and otherwise. Senator Gem closed their resignation letter by expressing their desire to run for the Senate again in the near future. This was echoed by fellow Senator Cordova, who said: "I'm sure I'll see you back in the Senate soon."
Senator Gem is to be commended for their efforts in raising senatorial activity - of the six pieces of legislation introduced in the current senate, three of them were introduced by Senator Gem, with the PAC Senate Contributions Act seeming very likely to become law. Their contributions will surely be missed for the remainder of the 95th Senate.
Star Senator
Resigning is never easy, and having the courage, clarity and wisdom to pass the torch is far from a common trait. Even when that choice is made, it is often far too easy to immediately let go of one's remaining responsibilities. Senator Gem did not do that. While demonstrating a clear understanding and knowledge that they could not realistically manage Senatorial responsibilities for the remainder of their term, they still had the diligence to fully rewrite a contested bill, rather than pass that responsibility on to the other Senators or their successor.
For their legislative efforts this week, as well as the qualities demonstrated by their decision to step away, the EBC hereby names Senator Gem the first-ever Star Senator.
CONCLUSION
There was a general decline in Senate activity this week, following the relatively high amounts of conversation surrounding the vote on Substitute Reform, which passed last week. However, the effects of Senator Gem's resignation (and the resulting by-election) may send a clear signal to the rest of the Senate, and trigger a change of pace. Whatever happens, the EBC hopes you will join us again next week, for another edition of Senate Week in Review. Thanks for reading.
