The White House: The Pericles Administration

[Pericles]

Update on coronavirus response

My fellow Atlasians
We all know that recent weeks have been very hard. Tragically, we have lost many lives to this horrific virus. My heart goes out to the families of all the victims. I want people to know that we are doing everything we can to protect our people and save lives. Thanks to the strong government response and the determination of the vast majority of you to do whatever it takes, we are flattening the curve and saving lives.

However, I must level with you. We are not out of the woods yet, in fact this is perhaps the moment of maximum peril. Yes, cases and deaths are going down, but there are now three options that we face. The first option-reopen the economy immediately, abandon social distancing and perhaps aim for a 'herd immunity' strategy. This would lead to an even deadlier second wave of coronavirus infections. Letting that happen is immoral and no responsible administration could do so.
Furthermore, it would not even help the economy. The economy cannot possibly run at full capacity if coronavirus is running rampant and claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, many people will stay at home anyway. Then there is the second option-to remain in total lockdown until we have a vaccine that can be widely distributed. This would lead to less coronavirus deaths, but would be economically and socially devastating. This simply isn't practical either.

So then there is the third option. That is to put in place a mass testing and contact tracing system, to control and isolate new cases before they escalate exponentially. This will enable us to come out of full lockdown and restore the vast majority of economic activity, while still adhering to some social distancing practices. This maximises positive economic and health outcomes. Therefore, this option is the one my administration has chosen, and indeed are already putting into effect.
We are using the Defense Production Act to rapidly ramp up production of tests and PPE. We are ordering more tests, more PPE, and recruiting contact tracers. Yesterday, a new 'DefeatCoronavirus' app was launched. This app will be key in helping us trace contacts of cases and stop the spread of the virus. You need to do your bit and download the app, in order to save lives.

However, here is the bad news, we are not ready to come out of lockdown right now. Firstly, active cases are far too numerous for any testing and tracing system to manage. Secondly, we still lack the necessary testing and tracing capacity to implement this option immediately. So here's how we're going to solve it. I am today setting testing targets for us to reach, and at each target restrictions can be gradually loosened until we reach our ultimate goal. On the latest data, we are testing 280,000 people per day. This needs to be scaled up within the next 20 days to 1 million people per day. Then, it needs to be further scaled up to 2.5 million people per day within 40 days. Finally, we need to reach 5 million people tested per day within 60 days. These are ambitious goals, but they simply have to be achieved. The cost of failure is too high. Once we have achieved these testing goals and new cases are much lower than they are right now, we can come out of lockdown and return to something close to normal life.

In the meantime, the federal advice is unchanged. We need to keep on social distancing. This applies to the entirety of the Republic of Atlasia until confirmed otherwise. I strongly warn against regional or local governments loosening restrictions until we confirm that we can control any new outbreaks, and if restrictions are loosened please stay at home anyway. I am also very proud of the vast majority of people who are adhering to social distancing advice, and your collective unity and spirit. I know you are being asked a lot and it is a sacrifice, but we are beating the virus together. Finally, just remember this advice-Stay home, be kind, and save lives.

Thank you very much

[Pericles]

I have two important pardons to make due to miscarriages of justice in both these cases.

1. Mr. Eugene Victor Debs, of Indiana, is hereby granted a full and unconditional pardon posthumously for his 1918 conviction in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on an indictment charging violations of the Sedition Act of 1918 due to that law's unconstitutional punishment for Mr. Debs's free speech.
2. Mr. Leonard Peltier, of North Dakota, is hereby granted a full and unconditional pardon for his 1977 conviction in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota due to the numerous questionable and often unconstitutional actions taken by the prosecution in his case.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Mr. President, two bills have passed the Congress and await your signature or veto:

A BILL
To incentivize Regions to adopt limits on the number of cases a public defender may be assigned in any given year

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives, in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Federal Caseload Relief Act.

Section 2. Justification

1. In Gideon v. Wainwright 372 U.S. 335 (1963), the Supreme Court held that the 6th Amendment Right to Counsel required States/Regions to assign defense attorneys to defendants charged with serious offenses and who could not afford counsel. This constitutional holding was subsequently extended to require States/Regions to provide counsel to cases where criminal conviction could lead to imprisonment.  In Gideon, the Court held that the assignment of counsel was essential to a fair trial and a constitutional right of the accused which States/Regions can not abridge.

2. Public defense systems are critically underfunded, and therefore the case workload can be overwhelming even under the most ideal circumstances.  Most public defense offices do not have paralegals, law clerks, or full-time investigators.  Therefore, lawyers are expected to do all the work that is necessary to provide a reasonably effective defense for their clients, as required by the Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

3. A 2017 study conducted by Postlethwaite & Netterville, in conjunction with the Atlasian Bar Association, concluded that the Louisiana public defense system is currently deficient 1,406 FTE [full-time equivalent] attorneys.  Based on the results of the study and analysis presented therein, "the Louisiana public defense system currently only has capacity to handle 21 percent" of the case workload.

4a. "In 2009, the New York State Legislature passed and Governor Patterson signed into law 'case caps' for public defenders in New York City.  Through the Office of Court Administration, the Legislature supplemented NYC's indigent defense budget to effectuate an Appellate Division Rule which limited annual criminal defense attorney caseloads to 400 misdemeanors or 150 felonies, with felonies counted as 2.66 misdemeanors in mixed caseloads." [Source: nysenate.gov]

4b. "In 2015, The Center for Court Innovation released a report titled 'An Analysis of Mandatory Case Caps and Attorney Workloads', concluding that mandatory cases caps substantially improved the quality of representation in Kings County." [Source: nysenate.gov]

Section 3. Federal-Regional Strategy For Caseload Relief

1. Regions shall be authorized to develop and implement a written plan that establishes numerical caseload/workload standards for each provider of constitutionally mandated publicly funded representation in criminal cases for people who are unable to afford counsel, provided that annual individual numerical caseload/workload standards may not exceed 367 misdemeanors or 138 felonies, with each felony counting as two and sixty-six hundredths misdemeanors in mixed caseloads.

2. The Department of Justice will reimburse Regions for the costs of implementing these plans, subject to approval of the plans by its budgetary division.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 5-1-0-3

Deputy president pro tempore

Assuring Nonviolent Treatment by Interfering with Fascist Authorities Act

HOUSE BILL

Be it resolved in the Atlasian Congress Assembled,

SECTION 1. TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the "Assuring Nonviolent Treatment by Interfering with Fascist Authorities Act”, or, alternatively, the "ANTIFA Act".

SECTION 2. PROTECTING FREE SPEECH RIGHTS

1. Regions and localities may not require permits or fees for protests occurring in public spaces, as the right to freely assemble is protected by the Constitution of Atlasia.
2. Therefore, people may freely assemble in any public place for any reason.
3. Police may only interfere with protests or arrest protesters if it can be reasonably determined that the protesters in question committed violent acts.
4. Mass arrests of non violent protesters due to violent actions of one or more in the group are prohibited.
5. Police may not use tear gas, pepper spray, or similar substances in attempts to contain protests, unless the protests become violent.
6. Police may not fire rubber bullets in attempts to contain protests, unless the protests become violent.
7. While protesters may request police protection, police may not block protesters from going to certain areas, unless protestors are blocking access to hospitals, medical centers, police stations, and court houses.
8. Colleges and universities may not block protests or assemblies from taking place on their campus, or punish students for protesting or otherwise exercising their rights to free speech on campus.
9. Employees, including teachers, may not be fired or otherwise punished for participating in strikes or pickets.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
1. No special penalties may be applied for vandalism or other crimes occurring near oil or natural gas pipelines, drills, or equipment.
2. No criminal penalties may be applied for planning or engaging in protests designed to block construction of oil or natural gas pipelines, buildings, or other man-made structures, or to block demolition of said structures, or to block roadways or waterways.
3. No special penalties may be applied for crimes committed while wearing a disguise, including a mask or other facial covering.
4. Protesters may not be held liable for costs of police response to protests.

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 5-0-3-1
X YE
People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Deputy president pro tempore

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The last one is missing two of the linked votes:

Assuring Nonviolent Treatment by Interfering with Fascist Authorities Act

HOUSE BILL

Be it resolved in the Atlasian Congress Assembled,

SECTION 1. TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the "Assuring Nonviolent Treatment by Interfering with Fascist Authorities Act”, or, alternatively, the "ANTIFA Act".

SECTION 2. PROTECTING FREE SPEECH RIGHTS

1. Regions and localities may not require permits or fees for protests occurring in public spaces, as the right to freely assemble is protected by the Constitution of Atlasia.
2. Therefore, people may freely assemble in any public place for any reason.
3. Police may only interfere with protests or arrest protesters if it can be reasonably determined that the protesters in question committed violent acts.
4. Mass arrests of non violent protesters due to violent actions of one or more in the group are prohibited.
5. Police may not use tear gas, pepper spray, or similar substances in attempts to contain protests, unless the protests become violent.
6. Police may not fire rubber bullets in attempts to contain protests, unless the protests become violent.
7. While protesters may request police protection, police may not block protesters from going to certain areas, unless protestors are blocking access to hospitals, medical centers, police stations, and court houses.
8. Colleges and universities may not block protests or assemblies from taking place on their campus, or punish students for protesting or otherwise exercising their rights to free speech on campus.
9. Employees, including teachers, may not be fired or otherwise punished for participating in strikes or pickets.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
1. No special penalties may be applied for vandalism or other crimes occurring near oil or natural gas pipelines, drills, or equipment.
2. No criminal penalties may be applied for planning or engaging in protests designed to block construction of oil or natural gas pipelines, buildings, or other man-made structures, or to block demolition of said structures, or to block roadways or waterways.
3. No special penalties may be applied for crimes committed while wearing a disguise, including a mask or other facial covering.
4. Protesters may not be held liable for costs of police response to protests.

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 5-0-3-1
X YE

People's Regional Senate (As Amended)
Passed the Atlasian Senate 4-2-0-1


People's House of Representatives (amended version)
Failed 4-5 in the Atlasian House Assembled (With automatic tiebreak in favor of nays)

People's Regional Senate (Original House Version)
Passed 4-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

[Pericles]

Signing Statement
The original version probably went too far. With the House amendments though, this bill looks pretty reasonable and I think it's important that we do protect free speech in practice. So I'm signing this.

Assuring Nonviolent Treatment by Interfering with Fascist Authorities Act

HOUSE BILL

Be it resolved in the Atlasian Congress Assembled,

SECTION 1. TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the "Assuring Nonviolent Treatment by Interfering with Fascist Authorities Act”, or, alternatively, the "ANTIFA Act".

SECTION 2. PROTECTING FREE SPEECH RIGHTS

1. Regions and localities may not require permits or fees for protests occurring in public spaces, as the right to freely assemble is protected by the Constitution of Atlasia.
2. Therefore, people may freely assemble in any public place for any reason.
3. Police may only interfere with protests or arrest protesters if it can be reasonably determined that the protesters in question committed violent acts.
4. Mass arrests of non violent protesters due to violent actions of one or more in the group are prohibited.
5. Police may not use tear gas, pepper spray, or similar substances in attempts to contain protests, unless the protests become violent.
6. Police may not fire rubber bullets in attempts to contain protests, unless the protests become violent.
7. While protesters may request police protection, police may not block protesters from going to certain areas, unless protestors are blocking access to hospitals, medical centres, police stations, and court houses.
8. Colleges and universities may not block protests or assemblies from taking place on their campus, or punish students for protesting or otherwise exercising their rights to free speech on campus.
9. Employees, including teachers, may not be fired or otherwise punished for participating in strikes or pickets.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
1. No special penalties may be applied for vandalism or other crimes occurring near oil or natural gas pipelines, drills, or equipment.
2. No criminal penalties may be applied for planning or engaging in protests designed to block construction of oil or natural gas pipelines, buildings, or other man-made structures, or to block demolition of said structures, or to block roadways or waterways.
3. No special penalties may be applied for crimes committed while wearing a disguise, including a mask or other facial covering.
4. Protesters may not be held liable for costs of police response to protests.

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 5-0-3-1
X YE

People's Regional Senate (As Amended)
Passed the Atlasian Senate 4-2-0-1


People's House of Representatives (amended version)
Failed 4-5 in the Atlasian House Assembled (With automatic tiebreak in favor of nays)

People's Regional Senate (Original House Version)
Passed 4-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

[Pericles]

Signing Statement
I like this bill, and I think it will do good to ensure fairness in practice in the legal system. Our public defenders are valuable and need more support.

A BILL
To incentivize Regions to adopt limits on the number of cases a public defender may be assigned in any given year

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives, in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Federal Caseload Relief Act.

Section 2. Justification

1. In Gideon v. Wainwright 372 U.S. 335 (1963), the Supreme Court held that the 6th Amendment Right to Counsel required States/Regions to assign defense attorneys to defendants charged with serious offenses and who could not afford counsel. This constitutional holding was subsequently extended to require States/Regions to provide counsel to cases where criminal conviction could lead to imprisonment.  In Gideon, the Court held that the assignment of counsel was essential to a fair trial and a constitutional right of the accused which States/Regions can not abridge.

2. Public defense systems are critically underfunded, and therefore the case workload can be overwhelming even under the most ideal circumstances.  Most public defense offices do not have paralegals, law clerks, or full-time investigators.  Therefore, lawyers are expected to do all the work that is necessary to provide a reasonably effective defense for their clients, as required by the Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

3. A 2017 study conducted by Postlethwaite & Netterville, in conjunction with the Atlasian Bar Association, concluded that the Louisiana public defense system is currently deficient 1,406 FTE [full-time equivalent] attorneys.  Based on the results of the study and analysis presented therein, "the Louisiana public defense system currently only has capacity to handle 21 percent" of the case workload.

4a. "In 2009, the New York State Legislature passed and Governor Patterson signed into law 'case caps' for public defenders in New York City.  Through the Office of Court Administration, the Legislature supplemented NYC's indigent defense budget to effectuate an Appellate Division Rule which limited annual criminal defense attorney caseloads to 400 misdemeanors or 150 felonies, with felonies counted as 2.66 misdemeanors in mixed caseloads." [Source: nysenate.gov]

4b. "In 2015, The Center for Court Innovation released a report titled 'An Analysis of Mandatory Case Caps and Attorney Workloads', concluding that mandatory cases caps substantially improved the quality of representation in Kings County." [Source: nysenate.gov]

Section 3. Federal-Regional Strategy For Caseload Relief

1. Regions shall be authorized to develop and implement a written plan that establishes numerical caseload/workload standards for each provider of constitutionally mandated publicly funded representation in criminal cases for people who are unable to afford counsel, provided that annual individual numerical caseload/workload standards may not exceed 367 misdemeanors or 138 felonies, with each felony counting as two and sixty-six hundredths misdemeanors in mixed caseloads.

2. The Department of Justice will reimburse Regions for the costs of implementing these plans, subject to approval of the plans by its budgetary division.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 5-1-0-3

Deputy president pro tempore

[thumb21]

Mr. President,

Sticking it to the Man Act

SENATE BILL

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

SECTION I
No school which receives federal funding from the government of Atlasia may suspend, expel, or otherwise punish a student for any of the following reasons:

1) wearing their hair in a certain style or having dyed or colored hair
2) expressing opinions or beliefs during time allocated for students to speak or ask questions which do not demean or harass other students, or wearing articles of clothing displaying a social or political message.
3) praying or otherwise practicing their religion at school, as long as the prayers are done without significantly disturbing the class or if they are done during a time of recess
4) being absent from class,if the student is at least sixteen years of age
5) peacefully walking out of class, if the student is at least sixteen years of age
6) actions that occurred outside of school provided they were legal and non-threatening

SECTION II

1) No school in the Republic of Atlasia may prevent a student from graduating or passing a class due to debts incurred, including but not limited to lunch debt and unreturned library books, provided they satisfy all other requirements.
2) No school which receives federal funding from the government of Atlasia may prevent a student from graduating or passing a class due to absences incurred, provided they receive a passing grade and satisfy all other requirements.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-3-0-3

[Pericles]

Veto and Redraft Statement
I have serious concerns about this bill. It was a tough call, but I think this limits schools too much and imposes too much costs on them for the current version to be acceptable. I was not persuaded by the arguments for this bill as is, and so I thought the safest move was to stop the most radical changes. I thought the points raised by Representative encke and others were convincing, in particular I think the original could leave schools with no way to enforce debts in some situations and so force additional costs on them. His final amendment was pretty good and I have based mine on it, though I have made some changes to it to take into account valid points from supporters of the original bill. Overall I think we need to get the right balance between rights for students and giving schools the power and flexibility they need, and the original bill got it wrong.

Sticking it to the Man Act

A BILL

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

SECTION I
No school which receives federal funding from the government of Atlasia may suspend, expel, or otherwise punish a student for any of the following reasons:

1) wearing their hair in a certain style or having dyed or colored hair
2) expressing opinions or beliefs during time allocated for students to speak or ask questions which do not demean or harass other students, or wearing articles of clothing displaying a social or political message.
3) praying or otherwise practicing their religion at school, as long as the prayers are done without significantly disturbing the class or if they are done during a time of recess
4) being absent from class,if the student is at least sixteen years of age
5) peacefully walking out of class, if the student is at least sixteen years of age
6) actions that occurred outside of school provided they were legal and non-threatening

SECTION II

1) No school in the Republic of Atlasia may prevent a student from graduating or passing a class due to debts incurred, including but not limited to lunch debt and unreturned library books, provided they satisfy all other requirements.
2) No school which receives federal funding from the government of Atlasia may prevent a student from graduating or passing a class due to absences incurred, provided they receive a passing grade and satisfy all other requirements.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-3-0-3

VETO!

Sticking it to the Man Act

A BILL

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

SECTION I
No school which receives federal funding from the government of Atlasia may suspend, or expel or otherwise punish a student for any of the following reasons:

1) wearing their hair in a certain style or having dyed or colored hair
2) expressing opinions or beliefs during time allocated for students to speak or ask questions which do not demean or harass other students, or wearing articles of clothing displaying a social or political message.
3) praying or otherwise practicing their religion at school, as long as the prayers are done without significantly disturbing the class or if they are done during a time of recess
4) being absent from class,if the student is at least sixteen years of age
5) peacefully walking out of class, if the student is at least sixteen years of age
6) actions that occurred outside of school provided they were legal and non-threatening

SECTION II

1) No school in the Republic of Atlasia may prevent a student from graduating or passing a class due to debts incurred, including but not limited to lunch debt and unreturned library books, provided they satisfy all other requirements.
2) No school which receives federal funding from the government of Atlasia may prevent a student from graduating or passing a class due to absences incurred, provided they receive a passing grade and satisfy all other requirements.
3. No school may prevent a student from graduating due to debts incurred if it can be proved than the financial burden of repaying the debts would be unfair
a) This shall be determined for the purposes of this clause if repayment would make it very difficult or impossible to pay basic living costs for the student or their household.
4. No financial repayment of incurred debts may occur if instead the student provides an alternative remedy to  the school of roughly equivalent value, that both parties had previously agreed to.
5. No financial repayment of incurred debts may be required for graduation if the debt is at least 2 years old by to the normal graduation date.

[thumb21]

Mr. President,

SENATE BILL
End of Public Affirmative Action in Atlasia Act
To end the federal government's support for affirmative action policies in admissions.

I. Any college or university in Atlasia which receives funding from the federal government is hereby banned from using raceor gender as a factor in admissions in any form.

II. Any college or university that does not comply with section I of this Act shall have federal funding withdrawn after two years of non-compliance.

III. The budget of the Department of Education shall be increased by $10 billion per year after 2030.
 a. This money shall be distributed to schools.
 i. The Department of Education shall be tasked with calculating a formula which prioritizes schools with large class sizes, low funding per student and low achievement.

IV. The spending in Section IV shall be funded from the Department of Education's general budget.

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 5-2-0-2


As amended:
Atlasian Regional Senate
Passed 3-2-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-3-0-2

[Pericles]

Veto Statement
I have made my position clear that we have not eliminated racial disadvantage in this country and that affirmative action remains a valuable tool to ensuring equitable outcomes. This bill would be a step backwards and would entrench racial inequality in our society, so I will keep my promise and veto it. I considered redrafting this to save the education funding, but we have the budget and a term of glorious Labor supermajorities coming up so ultimately it is better to address education there.

A BILL
End of Public Affirmative Action in Atlasia Act
To end the federal government's support for affirmative action policies in admissions.

I. Any college or university in Atlasia which receives funding from the federal government is hereby banned from using raceor gender as a factor in admissions in any form.

II. Any college or university that does not comply with section I of this Act shall have federal funding withdrawn after two years of non-compliance.

III. The budget of the Department of Education shall be increased by $10 billion per year after 2030.
 a. This money shall be distributed to schools.
 i. The Department of Education shall be tasked with calculating a formula which prioritizes schools with large class sizes, low funding per student and low achievement.

IV. The spending in Section IV shall be funded from the Department of Education's general budget.

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 5-2-0-2


As amended:
Atlasian Regional Senate
Passed 3-2-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-3-0-2

VETO!

[thumb21]

Mr. President,

SENATE BILL

To extend the legal quarantine requirements

Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

1. This bill may be referred to as the "Extending quarantines for new arrivals Act"

2. All new international arrivals to the Republic of Atlasia must consent to a COVID-19 test.  Those who receive a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 shall be placed under mandatory quarantine for no shorter than 14 days.  If it is determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that an insufficient number of testing supplies are available, new arrivals shall be forced to stay 14 days in quarantine in government-controlled facilities or until such time as testing might be available, on a first-come-first-served basis.

3. Congress shall, before January 1st, 2021, open a vote on whether to extend this legal quarantine requirement. The vote shall be a simple 'Aye' or 'Nay' on the extension.  If Aye receives a majority in both houses of Congress then Congress shall be able to decide on the length of the extension.  If no extension is specified before the end of the current length, it shall be assumed to be a 3 month extension lasting until June 30th, 2021.  If the extension fails to get Congressional approval, or if no congressional vote takes place, the legal requirement shall end on March 31st, 2021; unless Congress specifies another date.

4. The Atlasian federal government shall have the power to rent hotel space for these quarantines for new arrivals, in cases where the arrivals have no alternative venue to stay in upon testing positive or where an insufficient number of testing supplies are available.

5. This bill shall become enacted immediately after passage

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 6-0-1-2

Atlas Fantasy Government Board Description Act

As requested by Virginia, an Act to provide a description for the Atlas Fantasy Government board and creation of regional government sub boards.

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

A formal request shall be made to the moderators of the Atlas Forum that:

1. The description added to the Atlas Fantasy Government Board should state:
"Government of the Republic of Atlasia, including the Atlasian House, Senate, Presidency and Supreme Court".

2. Sub boards should be created for each of Atlasia's regions under the Atlas Fantasy Government board to facilitate the passage of legislation and other proceedings of regional governments. Descriptions should be added to regional sub boards on the request of the corresponding regional government.

3. All threads started in the Regional Governments sub board on or since June 9, 2016 should be allocated to the correct regional sub board.

4. All threads started in the Regional Governments sub board before June 9, 2016 should be allocated to a sub board of the Atlasian Fantasy Government board named "Regional Governments Archive."

5. The description for the Regional Governments Archive should state:
"Archive of materials created by regional governments prior to the enacting of the Fourth Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia on June 9, 2016."

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-0-1-4


People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

An Act

To require all new passenger motor vehicles to be equipped with a child safety alert system.

Section 1. Short title

This Act shall be cited as the “Requiring Child Safety Alert Systems Act".

Section 2. Definitions

As used in Act, unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context—
(1) the term “passenger motor vehicle” shall have the meaning given in 49 USC § 32101(10); and
(2) the term "rear designated seating position" means the designated seating positions for any passengers that are rearward of the front seat.

Section 3. Requirement

(a) In general. —

All new passenger motor vehicles shall be equipped with a system to alert the operator to check rear designated seating positions after the vehicle is deactivated by the driver.

(b) Child safety alert system. —

The alert required under subsection (a)—
(1) shall include a distinct auditory and visual alert, which may be combined with a haptic alert;
(2) shall be activated when —

        (i) the vehicle motor is deactivated by the driver; and
        (ii)a person is occupying a rear designated seating position.

(3) can be manually disabled by the vehicle's driver.

Section 4. Effective date

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,


As Amended:
House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 7-0-0-2


People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Permanent Punishment Reform Act

SENATE BILL

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

SECTION I: NAME

1. This may be cited as the Permanent Punishment Reform Act

SECTION II: ABOLITION OF PERMANENT PUNISHMENTS
1. Upon the 40-year anniversary of an prison sentence, the court of original jurisdiction shall review convicts seeking release and decide whether release shall or shall not be granted on the basis of (a) the gravity of the crime for which they were convicted, and (b) whether the convict has shown positive signs of rehabilitation.
2. The review of prisoners under subsection (1) shall be repeated every 5 years for those prisoners who are not released on the initial review.
3. Prisoners over the age of 75 shall have a review conducted by the original court of jurisdiction on whether to allow the remainder of their sentence under home arrest instead of in prison. This shall not apply to prisoners convicted of terrorism, the murder of three or more people or belonging to other illegal organizations; including but not limited to mafias and criminal gangs.
4. Current offenders who have served more than 40 years in prison shall be subject to mandatory review upon enactment of this act.

SECTION III: FURTHER ENCOURAGING BETTER USE OF PRISON SENTENCES
1. The Atlasian Congress hereby encourages the regions to pass similar bills to this one for the reduction of prison sentences.
2. The Atlasian Congress hereby establishes that the main guiding principle of the justice system shall be rehabilitation and not punishment, and that all prisoners shall be given the support they need towards their reintegration in society after their prison sentences expire.

SECTION IV: ENACTMENT
1. This bill shall be enacted 1 week after passage

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

as amended:
House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-2-0-3


People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

[Pericles]

Signing Statement
This was a measure I helped work on and strongly support. We need to keep the case numbers coming into Atlasia down, so that our testing and tracing system won't be overwhelmed and we can contain Covid-19. Therefore, I support this bill.

SENATE BILL

To extend the legal quarantine requirements

Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

1. This bill may be referred to as the "Extending quarantines for new arrivals Act"

2. All new international arrivals to the Republic of Atlasia must consent to a COVID-19 test.  Those who receive a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 shall be placed under mandatory quarantine for no shorter than 14 days.  If it is determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that an insufficient number of testing supplies are available, new arrivals shall be forced to stay 14 days in quarantine in government-controlled facilities or until such time as testing might be available, on a first-come-first-served basis.

3. Congress shall, before January 1st, 2021, open a vote on whether to extend this legal quarantine requirement. The vote shall be a simple 'Aye' or 'Nay' on the extension.  If Aye receives a majority in both houses of Congress then Congress shall be able to decide on the length of the extension.  If no extension is specified before the end of the current length, it shall be assumed to be a 3 month extension lasting until June 30th, 2021.  If the extension fails to get Congressional approval, or if no congressional vote takes place, the legal requirement shall end on March 31st, 2021; unless Congress specifies another date.

4. The Atlasian federal government shall have the power to rent hotel space for these quarantines for new arrivals, in cases where the arrivals have no alternative venue to stay in upon testing positive or where an insufficient number of testing supplies are available.

5. This bill shall become enacted immediately after passage

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 6-0-1-2

Signing Statement
This is a common-sense bill and unobjectionable, it has my support.

Atlas Fantasy Government Board Description Act

As requested by Virginia, an Act to provide a description for the Atlas Fantasy Government board and creation of regional government sub boards.

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

A formal request shall be made to the moderators of the Atlas Forum that:

1. The description added to the Atlas Fantasy Government Board should state:
"Government of the Republic of Atlasia, including the Atlasian House, Senate, Presidency and Supreme Court".

2. Sub boards should be created for each of Atlasia's regions under the Atlas Fantasy Government board to facilitate the passage of legislation and other proceedings of regional governments. Descriptions should be added to regional sub boards on the request of the corresponding regional government.

3. All threads started in the Regional Governments sub board on or since June 9, 2016 should be allocated to the correct regional sub board.

4. All threads started in the Regional Governments sub board before June 9, 2016 should be allocated to a sub board of the Atlasian Fantasy Government board named "Regional Governments Archive."

5. The description for the Regional Governments Archive should state:
"Archive of materials created by regional governments prior to the enacting of the Fourth Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia on June 9, 2016."

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-0-1-4


People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Signing Statement
This is a constructive regulatory change that will save lives, and so I strongly support it.

An Act

To require all new passenger motor vehicles to be equipped with a child safety alert system.

Section 1. Short title

This Act shall be cited as the “Requiring Child Safety Alert Systems Act".

Section 2. Definitions

As used in Act, unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context—
(1) the term “passenger motor vehicle” shall have the meaning given in 49 USC § 32101(10); and
(2) the term "rear designated seating position" means the designated seating positions for any passengers that are rearward of the front seat.

Section 3. Requirement

(a) In general. —

All new passenger motor vehicles shall be equipped with a system to alert the operator to check rear designated seating positions after the vehicle is deactivated by the driver.

(b) Child safety alert system. —

The alert required under subsection (a)—
(1) shall include a distinct auditory and visual alert, which may be combined with a haptic alert;
(2) shall be activated when —

        (i) the vehicle motor is deactivated by the driver; and
        (ii)a person is occupying a rear designated seating position.

(3) can be manually disabled by the vehicle's driver.

Section 4. Effective date

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,


As Amended:
House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 7-0-0-2


People's Regional Senate
Passed 6-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Signing Statement
This one is a bit more controversial and is a bit riskier perhaps. However I think the legislative process has worked well here so we have a reasonably balanced bill. This helps us reduce mass incarceration and provides a greater rehabilitative focus to our criminal justice system. So I do support this bill.

Permanent Punishment Reform Act

SENATE BILL

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia in Congress assembled,

SECTION I: NAME

1. This may be cited as the Permanent Punishment Reform Act

SECTION II: ABOLITION OF PERMANENT PUNISHMENTS
1. Upon the 40-year anniversary of an prison sentence, the court of original jurisdiction shall review convicts seeking release and decide whether release shall or shall not be granted on the basis of (a) the gravity of the crime for which they were convicted, and (b) whether the convict has shown positive signs of rehabilitation.
2. The review of prisoners under subsection (1) shall be repeated every 5 years for those prisoners who are not released on the initial review.
3. Prisoners over the age of 75 shall have a review conducted by the original court of jurisdiction on whether to allow the remainder of their sentence under home arrest instead of in prison. This shall not apply to prisoners convicted of terrorism, the murder of three or more people or belonging to other illegal organizations; including but not limited to mafias and criminal gangs.
4. Current offenders who have served more than 40 years in prison shall be subject to mandatory review upon enactment of this act.

SECTION III: FURTHER ENCOURAGING BETTER USE OF PRISON SENTENCES
1. The Atlasian Congress hereby encourages the regions to pass similar bills to this one for the reduction of prison sentences.
2. The Atlasian Congress hereby establishes that the main guiding principle of the justice system shall be rehabilitation and not punishment, and that all prisoners shall be given the support they need towards their reintegration in society after their prison sentences expire.

SECTION IV: ENACTMENT
1. This bill shall be enacted 1 week after passage

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

as amended:
House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 4-2-0-3


People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

[Pericles]

I no longer regard Jimmy as a supporter of the administration's agenda, so I will be seeking a replacement that can be a reliable member of the team and take us forward as a nation.

Jimmy7812 is removed from the Domestic Policy Council, effective immediately.

[Sirius_]

I no longer have trust in Jimmy and do not regard him as a supporter of the administration's agenda, so I will be seeking a replacement that can be a reliable member of the team and take us forward as a nation.

Jimmy7812 is removed from the Domestic Policy Council, effective immediately.

This is an unprecedented act of hyper-partisanship. Every president I have worked with, regardless of political affiliation has had a multi-partisan administration with differing viewpoints being represented in the various councils. Jimmy has done nothing to show that he is not a effective policymaker, and its clear why this happened.

[Pericles]

Ted Bessell is appointed to the Domestic Policy Council

[Pericles]

Nomination of a new Comptroller General
Regrettably, due to the UK's Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, Clyde1998 has been unable to be active in his role as Comptroller General, and told me that I should find someone else for the role. It turns out that Blairite is good at economics and has the necessary skills for this role. Therefore, I am excited to nominate him for this role.

1. Clyde1998 is dismissed as Comptroller General, effective immediately.
2. Blairite is nominated to the role of Comptroller General.

[Pericles]

Covid-19 response update

My fellow Atlasians,
We are now reaching a new phase in our response to Covid-19. First of all, I want to thank you for your hard work, for staying home and saving lives. We are seeing the results of your collective action. We have flattened the curve, and saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

Now, we have the ability to test, trace and isolate new cases, which in most cases should prevent us needing to return to lockdown. In light of this, the federal official message shall change from "Stay home, be kind, save lives" to "Be Responsible, Save Lives." We can start to return to normal life, but with necessary social distancing measures.

Going forward, we shall have a new system of alert levels. This shall be non-binding guidance to assist states, regions, and perhaps counties in reopening their economies and societies safely. The recommended measures for each alert level are a full lockdown under Alert Level 3, social distancing and contact tracing requirements under Alert Level 2, and broadly normal life except for some international border controls under Alert Level 1. The criteria for these alert levels is as follows-

Alert Level 3-Widespread community transmission of Covid-19 is occurring, with a significant increase in new cases over a 14-day period. More than 5% of tests come back positive. Finally, over 50% of hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.
Alert Level 2-Limited community transmission of Covid-19 is occurring, with a significant decrease in new cases over a 14-day period. Less than 5% of tests come back positive, and 50% or less of hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.
Alert Level 1-No community transmission of Covid-19 is occurring, with negligible numbers of new cases over a 14-day period. Under 0.5% of tests come back positive, and 1% or less of hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

This relates to the issue of school re-openings. I regard physical schooling as a vital part of children's learning, and I know remote learning is hard and not a full replacement for physical schooling. However, we need to keep children and staff safe. So the federal recommendations are that states that meet the Alert Level 3 criteria should have fully remote learning and avoid physical schooling. States that meet the Alert Level 2 criteria should have limited physical schooling. The administration will be enforcing mandatory social distancing in schools where possible, and masks for all students and staff where this is impossible. Staff shall be required to wear masks in schools. 2/5ths of a student body may be allowed in school at any one time, so there will be 2 days of physical schooling per week and 3 days of remote learning for states under the Alert Level 2 criteria. Finally, this was the most difficult choice, but high schools shall remain closed except if a state reaches Alert Level 1. Students below high school level have the greatest need for physical schooling and are the least vulnerable to being infected with Covid-19 or spreading it to others.

As further reopening guidance, schools should be prioritised for reopening over things such as bars and indoor restaurants given schools are both more socially beneficial and pose a lower risk of spreading Covid-19. Finally, as general advice which is not necessarily applicable to schools, as the spread of Covid-19 is much less outdoors, outdoor options should be prioritised wherever possible over indoor options for activities.

I will have an EO shortly that will make a few other changes. I plan to lift the travel ban on Iran, South Korea and Japan, as these countries no longer pose significant risks of Covid-19 infection. The travel ban on the Schengen Area and the UK shall remain, and furthermore Brazil and South Africa shall be added to the travel ban, as these countries have severe Covid-19 outbreaks. Elective surgeries will resume in 7 days time in states where 50% or fewer hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients, as the healthcare systems in those states can now handle increased pressure.

Finally, a federal mask mandate bill shall be introduced into Congress shortly. One of the provisions of this bill will allow states to formally request an exemption to the mandate from the President, and so if the states do not need mask mandates then I will grant that exemption. However, by starting with a broad mandate we ensure that masks are worn where they are needed to contain the spread of Covid-19. Masks are one of the easiest and most effective ways to stop the spread of Covid-19. An important point about masks is that it is primarily about preventing you from spreading Covid-19 to others. We can't act like we're 100% sure that we have Covid-19, because then we'd have to self-isolate. However, if we all collectively act with awareness of the risk that we have it and so seek to avoid spreading it to others, this will reduce transmission of the virus and save lives. In turn, this will mean we don't have to do more economically and socially devastating lockdowns. This is what being responsible means.

We are on the right track, but we are not out of the woods yet. As a nation, we have to be responsible, and reopen safely. We have come so far, now we must lock in the gains we have made. A second wave that claims thousands more lives and forces us back into lockdown must be avoided. I can't prevent that second wave on my own, so I am counting on all of you to ensure we get this right, not just for yourselves, but for your loved ones, your friends and our entire community.
Thank you very much
Dave bless Atlasia

[Pericles]

EO 49 #006 and EO 49 #010 are amended as follows, to take effect 7 days from now-
1. Elective surgeries shall be permitted in federal hospitals in states where 50% or less of hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.
2. The travel ban on South Korea, Japan and Iran shall no longer apply.
3. Until December 31, 2020, travel to and from Brazil and South Africa-excluding trade-shall be prohibited.
a) This clause does not apply to Atlasian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families, however people in this category will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Atlasia (regardless of whether or not they test positive for Covid-19).

EDIT; The GM advised me that the Covid-19 outbreak is much worse in China than irl, so that country remains a risk of spreading Covid-19 further to Atlasia.

[Pericles]

As requested by Southern Speaker tmthforu94, the federal government is stepping in to help the people of Louisiana. To people in the affected areas, please follow evacuation orders and other instructions from the local authorities, this threat is serious and we are all doing our best to keep you safe.

1. Effective immediately, the the following counties/parishes in the states of Louisiana and Texas are designated as federal disaster areas-
a) In Louisiana, this declaration shall apply for the parishes of Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe  Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.
b) In Texas, this declaration shall apply for the counties of Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy.

[Pericles]

Based on the latest Covid-19 pandemic update, I can now officially clarify for legal purposes where the alert level 3, 2, and 1 guidelines are in effect for school reopenings. Other aspects of the reopenings can be left up to the states, a state can have different levels of restrictions to what the federal criteria suggests for their situation. This action will also specifically allow states to have tougher restrictions with regards to school reopenings, in part due to the difficulty of enforcing conflicting standards. However, where the local standards are looser the federal standards will be enforced.

At this stage, only Atlasian Samoa is encouraged to move to Level 1 restrictions. There, and in any states that can move to Level 1 in the future, the federal government expects that strict quarantine requirements will be in place to preserve their Covid-19 elimination status. If we find this is not the case, we will have to consider reimposing restrictions. In states where the trend in case numbers is 'contained' but not yet 'favorable', and all the other level 2 criteria are met, reopening of physical schooling will be delayed until 14 September. This will give us more time to be sure that things are really on the right track. I remain very concerned about the situation in several states-in particular in Arizona, Texas and Nevada. We are examining what options we have to improve the situation there.

1. Effective immediately-schools, except for high schools, are permitted to resume physical schooling in the following states-Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington state, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Nyman DC, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and the Virgin Islands.
a) In these states, schools with physical schooling must abide by the following requirements-
i)  A maximum of 40% of the student body is allowed in the school at any one time.
ii) Mask-wearing shall be required for all staff members, except those with special medical exemptions.
iii) Social distancing is to be practised where possible. Where social distancing is impossible or too impractical, all students shall also be required to wear masks, except those with special medical exemptions.
2. Effective on 14 September, schools, except for high schools, are permitted to resume physical schooling, with the same restrictions as set out in 1a, in the following states-Colorado, West Virginia and New Jersey.
3. All Schools in Atlasian Samoa are permitted to resume physical schooling without the restrictions set out in 1a.
4. Nothing in this order may be interpreted to change the federal requirements for entirely remote schooling in all states not listed above.
5. Nothing in this order shall prevent regional, state and local authorities from imposing stronger requirements to the federal requirements.

[Mike Thick]

Mr. President,

PROTECT AND EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

To protect and expand Social Security.

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

SECTION I: TITLE.
This law shall be referred to as the Protect and Expand Social Security Act.

SECTION II: FINDINGS.

(a) Social Security is a very popular and successful program that has provided an important safety net for millions of Atlasians and a more secure retirement for Elderly Atlasians.

(b) Since the creation of Social Security, poverty among seniors has been drastically cut.

(c) The Social Security Administration estimates that by 2037, the Social Security Trust Funds will be depleted. After this point, the Social Security Administration will be unable to provide benefits in full for the first time since the program's creation.

(d) Congress resolves that Social Security must be protected and expanded and that it must therefore act to provide new sources of revenue and ensure that recipients continue to recieve adequate benefits in full.

SECTION III: STRENGTHENING OF BENEFITS.

(a) 42 U.S. Code § 415 (a)(1)(A)(i) shall be amended as follows:

(i) 90 93 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings (determined under subsection (b)) to the extent that such earnings do not exceed the amount established for purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B),

(b) The Social Security Administration shall hereby utilise the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics when calculating cost-of-living adjustments to benefits.

(c) 42 U.S. Code § 415 (a)(1) shall be amended follows:
 (i) By redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E).
 (ii) By inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph:

(D)
 (i) Effective with respect to the benefits of individuals who become eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits (or die before becoming so eligible) after 2019, no primary insurance amount computed under subparagraph (A) may be less than the greater of:
  (I) The minimum monthly amount computed under subparaghraph (C); or
  (II) In the case of an individual who has more than 10 years of work (as defined in clause (iv)(I)), the alternative minimum amount determined under clause (ii).
 (ii)
  (I) The alternative minimum amount determined under this clause is the applicable percentage of one twelth of the annual dollar amount determined under clause (iii) for the year in which the amount is determined.
  (II) For purposes of subclause (I), the applicable percentage is the percentage specified in connection with the number of years of work, as set fourth in the following table:
 

Key:-
Number of years of work: Applicable percentage

11: 6.25%
12: 12.50%
13: 18.75%
14: 25.00%
15: 31.25%
16: 37.50%
17: 43.75%
18: 50.00%
19: 56.25%
20: 62.80%
21: 68.75%
22: 75.00%
23: 81.25%
24: 87.50%
25: 93.75%
26: 100.00%
27: 106.25%
28: 112.50%
29: 118.75%
30+: 125.00%

 (iii) The annual dollar amount determined under this clause is:
  (I) For calendar year 2021, the poverty guideline for 2020.
  (II) For any calendar year after 2021, the annual dollar amount for 2021 multiplied by the ratio of:
   (aa) The national average wage index (as defined in section 409(k)(1) of this title) for the second callendar year preceding the calendar year for which the determine is made, to.
   (bb) The national average wage index for 2019.
 (iv) For the purposes of this subparagraph:
  (I) The term "year of work" means, with respect to an individual, a year to to which 4 quarters of coverage have been credited based on such individual's wages and self-employment income.
  (II) The term "poverty guideline for 2020" means the annual poverty guideline for 2020 (as updated annually in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) as applicable to a single individual.

(d) 42 U.S. Code § 409 (k)(1) shall be amended by inserting "415(a)(1)(E)" after "415(a)(1)(E)".

(e) All individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements specified under 42 U.S. Code § 402 (d) shall now be eligible for Child's Insurance Benefits if they:
 (i) Have not attained the age of 22.
 (ii) Are in full-time education at a college or vocational school.
 
(f) For the purposes of the calculation of average indexed monthly earnings, future beneficiaries shall be eligible to recieve credit equal to one twelth of the annual median wage of the relevant year for each month of that year in which they have not been in full-time employment and in which they have provided at least 80 hours of unpaid caregiving to:
 (i) A child under the age of 6.
 (ii) A dependent with a disability.
 (iii) An elderly relative.
 
(g) Current recipients shall be eligible to recieve credit established by subsection (f) retroactively by five years.

(h) 42 U.S. Code § 402 (e)(B) is hereby struck out and provisions are re-numbered accordingly.

(i) 42 U.S. Code § 402 (f)(B) is hereby struck out and provisions are re-numbered accordingly.

(j) For purposes of determining the income of an individual to establish eligibility for, and the amount of, benefits payable under title XVI of the Social Security Act, eligibility for medical assistance under the Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017 and other medical assistance under title XIX (or a waiver of such plan), or eligibility for child health assistance under the State child health plan under title XXI (or a waiver of the plan), the amount of any benefit to which the individual is entitled under title II of such Act shall be deemed not to exceed the amount of the benefit that would be determined for such individual under such title as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SECTION IV: ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

(a) The annual budget of the Social Security Administration shall be increased by 5% for FY 2021.
 (i) The annual budget of the Social Security Administration shall be increased by a further 1% for every FY starting from FY 2022 for 5 consecutive years.

(b) The Social Security Administration shall hereby be instructed to merge the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to form the Social Security Trust Fund.

SECTION V: SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAX REFORM.

(a) From the 1st of January 2024, the standard rate of The Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased to 12.5%.
 (i) On the 1st of January of every subsequent year, the standard rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased by an additional 0.1%.
 (ii) This process shall continue until the standard rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax has reached 13.4%
(b) The Maximum Taxable Earnings cap for the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be phased out.
(c) From the 1st of January 2024, the rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased to 0.8% on earnings above the Maximum Taxable Earnings cap.
 (i) On the 1st of January of every subsequent year, the rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased by an additional 1.4% on earnings above the Maximum Earnings cap.
 (ii) This process shall continue until the rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax paid on earnings above the Maximum Taxable Earnings cap is equal to the rate paid on earnings below the cap - the Maximum Taxable Earnings cap thereby being eliminated.
(d) A Minimum Taxable Earning cap of $10,000 shall be added for the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax.
 (i) All earnings below this cap shall not be taxed under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax.
 (ii) The Minimum Taxable Earning cap shall be adjusted for inflation on an annual basis.
 (iii) Earnings below the Minimum Taxable Earnings cap shall be included in calculations of an individual's average indexed monthly earnings.
 
 SECTION VI: IMPLEMENTATION.

(a) Unless otherwise stated, the provisions of this act shall take effect on the 1st of January 2021.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 3-1-2 by the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 3-0-1-4

[Pericles]

Vice President nomination
With Sestak's unfortunate departure, we need a new Vice President. I have found an excellent and highly qualified choice for the role in Ted Bessell. Ted has served Atlasia well in Congress recently, and we can trust that he will be active and keep Congress moving. I expect there will be plenty of opportunity to ask Ted questions in his Senate confirmation hearing, but just to clarify with his Senate seat he will remain a Senator while serving as Vice President for the remainder of this presidential term.

Tedbessell is appointed to the role of Vice President.

[Pericles]

Signing Statement
This is an important bill to give our seniors financial security and protect our amazing Social Security program. I have advocated for this consistently, and so I am proud to sign it into law.

PROTECT AND EXPAND SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

To protect and expand Social Security.

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

SECTION I: TITLE.
This law shall be referred to as the Protect and Expand Social Security Act.

SECTION II: FINDINGS.

(a) Social Security is a very popular and successful program that has provided an important safety net for millions of Atlasians and a more secure retirement for Elderly Atlasians.

(b) Since the creation of Social Security, poverty among seniors has been drastically cut.

(c) The Social Security Administration estimates that by 2037, the Social Security Trust Funds will be depleted. After this point, the Social Security Administration will be unable to provide benefits in full for the first time since the program's creation.

(d) Congress resolves that Social Security must be protected and expanded and that it must therefore act to provide new sources of revenue and ensure that recipients continue to recieve adequate benefits in full.

SECTION III: STRENGTHENING OF BENEFITS.

(a) 42 U.S. Code § 415 (a)(1)(A)(i) shall be amended as follows:

(i) 90 93 percent of the individual's average indexed monthly earnings (determined under subsection (b)) to the extent that such earnings do not exceed the amount established for purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B),

(b) The Social Security Administration shall hereby utilise the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics when calculating cost-of-living adjustments to benefits.

(c) 42 U.S. Code § 415 (a)(1) shall be amended follows:
 (i) By redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E).
 (ii) By inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph:

(D)
 (i) Effective with respect to the benefits of individuals who become eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits (or die before becoming so eligible) after 2019, no primary insurance amount computed under subparagraph (A) may be less than the greater of:
  (I) The minimum monthly amount computed under subparaghraph (C); or
  (II) In the case of an individual who has more than 10 years of work (as defined in clause (iv)(I)), the alternative minimum amount determined under clause (ii).
 (ii)
  (I) The alternative minimum amount determined under this clause is the applicable percentage of one twelth of the annual dollar amount determined under clause (iii) for the year in which the amount is determined.
  (II) For purposes of subclause (I), the applicable percentage is the percentage specified in connection with the number of years of work, as set fourth in the following table:
 

Key:-
Number of years of work: Applicable percentage

11: 6.25%
12: 12.50%
13: 18.75%
14: 25.00%
15: 31.25%
16: 37.50%
17: 43.75%
18: 50.00%
19: 56.25%
20: 62.80%
21: 68.75%
22: 75.00%
23: 81.25%
24: 87.50%
25: 93.75%
26: 100.00%
27: 106.25%
28: 112.50%
29: 118.75%
30+: 125.00%

 (iii) The annual dollar amount determined under this clause is:
  (I) For calendar year 2021, the poverty guideline for 2020.
  (II) For any calendar year after 2021, the annual dollar amount for 2021 multiplied by the ratio of:
   (aa) The national average wage index (as defined in section 409(k)(1) of this title) for the second callendar year preceding the calendar year for which the determine is made, to.
   (bb) The national average wage index for 2019.
 (iv) For the purposes of this subparagraph:
  (I) The term "year of work" means, with respect to an individual, a year to to which 4 quarters of coverage have been credited based on such individual's wages and self-employment income.
  (II) The term "poverty guideline for 2020" means the annual poverty guideline for 2020 (as updated annually in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) as applicable to a single individual.

(d) 42 U.S. Code § 409 (k)(1) shall be amended by inserting "415(a)(1)(E)" after "415(a)(1)(E)".

(e) All individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements specified under 42 U.S. Code § 402 (d) shall now be eligible for Child's Insurance Benefits if they:
 (i) Have not attained the age of 22.
 (ii) Are in full-time education at a college or vocational school.
 
(f) For the purposes of the calculation of average indexed monthly earnings, future beneficiaries shall be eligible to recieve credit equal to one twelth of the annual median wage of the relevant year for each month of that year in which they have not been in full-time employment and in which they have provided at least 80 hours of unpaid caregiving to:
 (i) A child under the age of 6.
 (ii) A dependent with a disability.
 (iii) An elderly relative.
 
(g) Current recipients shall be eligible to recieve credit established by subsection (f) retroactively by five years.

(h) 42 U.S. Code § 402 (e)(B) is hereby struck out and provisions are re-numbered accordingly.

(i) 42 U.S. Code § 402 (f)(B) is hereby struck out and provisions are re-numbered accordingly.

(j) For purposes of determining the income of an individual to establish eligibility for, and the amount of, benefits payable under title XVI of the Social Security Act, eligibility for medical assistance under the Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017 and other medical assistance under title XIX (or a waiver of such plan), or eligibility for child health assistance under the State child health plan under title XXI (or a waiver of the plan), the amount of any benefit to which the individual is entitled under title II of such Act shall be deemed not to exceed the amount of the benefit that would be determined for such individual under such title as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

SECTION IV: ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

(a) The annual budget of the Social Security Administration shall be increased by 5% for FY 2021.
 (i) The annual budget of the Social Security Administration shall be increased by a further 1% for every FY starting from FY 2022 for 5 consecutive years.

(b) The Social Security Administration shall hereby be instructed to merge the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to form the Social Security Trust Fund.

SECTION V: SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAX REFORM.

(a) From the 1st of January 2024, the standard rate of The Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased to 12.5%.
 (i) On the 1st of January of every subsequent year, the standard rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased by an additional 0.1%.
 (ii) This process shall continue until the standard rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax has reached 13.4%
(b) The Maximum Taxable Earnings cap for the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be phased out.
(c) From the 1st of January 2024, the rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased to 0.8% on earnings above the Maximum Taxable Earnings cap.
 (i) On the 1st of January of every subsequent year, the rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax shall be increased by an additional 1.4% on earnings above the Maximum Earnings cap.
 (ii) This process shall continue until the rate of Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax paid on earnings above the Maximum Taxable Earnings cap is equal to the rate paid on earnings below the cap - the Maximum Taxable Earnings cap thereby being eliminated.
(d) A Minimum Taxable Earning cap of $10,000 shall be added for the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax.
 (i) All earnings below this cap shall not be taxed under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) payroll tax.
 (ii) The Minimum Taxable Earning cap shall be adjusted for inflation on an annual basis.
 (iii) Earnings below the Minimum Taxable Earnings cap shall be included in calculations of an individual's average indexed monthly earnings.
 
 SECTION VI: IMPLEMENTATION.

(a) Unless otherwise stated, the provisions of this act shall take effect on the 1st of January 2021.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 3-1-2 by the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 3-0-1-4

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Vice President nomination
With Sestak's unfortunate departure, we need a new Vice President. I have found an excellent and highly qualified choice for the role in Ted Bessell. Ted has served Atlasia well in Congress recently, and we can trust that he will be active and keep Congress moving. I expect there will be plenty of opportunity to ask Ted questions in his Senate confirmation hearing, but just to clarify with his Senate seat he will remain a Senator while serving as Vice President for the remainder of this presidential term.

Tedbessell is appointed to the role of Vice President.

Atlasian Constitution, III§1.2 The Vice President shall be the President of the Congress, but shall have no vote in the House of Representatives, nor in the Senate save when they be equally divided.

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