Foreign Relations Review Bill

[Emsworth]

Foreign Relations Review Bill

Preamble

The purpose of this legislation is to clarify the authority of the Secretary of State.

Section 1 - Creation of the Foreign Relations Review

1. It is the responsibility of the Secretary of State to maintain, and draft the relations between Atlasia and all other recognized states of the world.

2. The Foreign Relations Review will specifically examine the military and economic relations between the Republic of Atlasia, and the states in question.

3. The creation of the Foreign Relations Review will be completed entirely by the Secretary of State and posted in the State Department thread.

Section 2 - State Department Thread

1. Citizens, and elected officials of all branches of the government are invited to give commentary and opinions on the foreign policy at hand.

2. The Secretary of State is under no directive to obey the desires expressed in the State Department Thread.

3. In instances where the Secretary of State is unsure of what course of action to take he or she may call on the Senate, or Executive for direct input.

Section 3 - Authority of the Foreign Relations Review

As drafted, the Foreign Relations Review becomes law, and the official policy of the Republic of Atlasia.

Section 4 - Amending the Foreign Relations Review

1. The Secretary of State can freely change the Foreign Relations Review of the past office holders.

2. The Senate has the authority to draft amendments to the Foreign Relations Review. After passing the Senate with a majority it will become official Atlasian foreign policy, and the Secretary of State will not have the authority to change it. The President is free to veto the amendment, like any form of legislation.

Sponsor: Sen. Colin Wixted

[Emsworth]

I have a couple of suggestions:

Section 3 makes the Foreign Relations Review "law, and the official policy of the Republic of Atlasia." I think that it would be better to drop the reference to "law," as it would imply that the Secretary of State can make laws.

Section 4 should, in my opinion, allow the President, as the highest officer of the executive branch, to amend the Foreign Relations Review. It is certainly reasonable, in my opinion, to allow the head of the executive to overrule the Secretary of State if necessary.

[Emsworth]

Okay, so the proposed amendments would read

Amendment 1:
The words "law, and" are struck from Section 3.

Amendment 2:
Clause 2 of Section 4 shall be amended to read:

2. The President may amend the Foreign Relations Review as he sees fit. The Secretary of State shall not have the authority to amend or reverse changes made by the President.

3. The Senate may amend the Foreign Relations Review as it sees fit by passing an Act (which shall be subject to the President's veto in the same manner as any other legislation). Neither the Secretary of State nor the President shall have the authority to amend or reverse changes made by the Senate.

[Emsworth]

The question is on passage of the Spade amendment. All those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[Emsworth]

With seven Ayes, the amendment passes.

[Emsworth]

The question is on final passage of the bill; all those in favor, say Aye; those opposed, say No.

[Emsworth]

With five Ayes, and one vacancy, the bill has enough votes to pass. Senators have 24 hours to vote or change their votes.

[Emsworth]

There have voted:
Aye: 5
No: 0

Five is a quorum because we have one vacancy. Therefore, the bill is passed; I present it to the President for his signature.