HR 24-04: Congressional Resolution as to Recognition of Recent Houston Astros' C... (Failed)

[thumb21]

House Resolution
To express the sense of Congress regarding the Houston Astros Baseball Club.

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

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Resolution as to Recognition of Recent Houston Astros' Championships".  


SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

A. According to various credible sources, in the course of Major League Baseball seasons dating from 2017 to 2019, the Houston Astros engaged in "sign stealing".  

B. The specified activity, designed to give a team an unacceptable competitive advantage over its opponent, is a violation of MLB rules.

C. As part of the 2017 MLB season, the Houston Astros won the American League Championship, as well as the World Series Championship.  In addition, the team won the 2019 American League Championship.  

D. If the Astros had not engaged in activity contrary to MLB rules, it is reasonably likely that they would not have won these championships.  

E. The admitted cheating of the Astros, and continued claim by the club to the associated championships, puts the integrity of Major League Baseball in question. In addition, this matter irreparably damages the reputation of the sport of baseball.


SECTION 3. RESOLUTION.

A. It is the Sense of Congress that the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Rob Manfred, should strip the Houston Astros of:

1, the 2017 American League Championship,

2, the 2017 World Series Championship, and

3, the 2019 American League Championship.

B. It is the Sense of Congress that the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Rob Manfred, should declare these titles to be vacant.  


SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This resolution may be considered as being effective when passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.

Sponsor: Citizen (FairBol)
House Designation: HR 24-04

72 hours to debate.

[cinyc]

Does this need a sponsor?

[RC (a la Frémont)]

As someone who is tuned into baseball daily, I have a few amendments to add:

House Resolution
To express the sense of Congress regarding the Houston Astros Baseball Club.

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

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Resolution as to Recognition of Recent Houston Astros' Championships". 


SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

A. According to various credible sources, in the course of Major League Baseball seasons dating from 2017 to 2019, the Houston Astros engaged in "sign stealing". While the practice is common through the sport's history, Astros management set up complicated sign stealing efforts, electronic and otherwise, to give them an unfair advantage in the regular Major League Baseball season and postseason.

B. The specified activity, designed to give a team an unacceptable competitive advantage over its opponent, is a violation of MLB rules.

C. As part of the 2017 MLB season, the Houston Astros won the American League Championship, as well as the World Series Championship.  In addition, the team won the 2019 American League Championship. 

D. If the Astros had not engaged in activity contrary to MLB rules, it is reasonably likely that they would not have won these championships. 

E. The admitted cheating of the Astros, and continued claim by the club to the associated championships, puts the integrity of Major League Baseball in question. In addition, this matter irreparably damages the reputation of the sport of baseball.


SECTION 3. RESOLUTION.

A.It is the sense of Congress Congress urges that the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Rob Manfred

A. Should strip the Houston Astros of:

1, the 2017 American League Championship,

2, the 2017 World Series Championship, and

3, the 2019 American League Championship.

It is the Sense of Congress that the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Rob Manfred, should declare these titles to be vacant.

B. Their opponents in each series shall not be awarded these championship titles, and shall remain vacated[/b

C. Strip the World Series MVP shall be from recipient George Springer. All other award recipients shall maintain their awards according to their roles in the club's actions.

D. General Manager Jeff Luhnow, Field Manager Andrew "A.J." Hinch, and Bench Coach Alex Cora shall be banned from management positions for life for their involvement in the sign-stealing campaign. Former player Carlos Beltran shall be banned from management for one (1) year.

E. All players found to have used the sign-stealing system more than 10% of all plate appearances (as seen here) and that appeared in half (81) of all (162) regular season games shall receive a ban of one (1) year, including:

A. George Springer (14.9%)
B. Alex Bregman (16.6%)
C. Carlos Correa (16.3%)
D. Marwin Gonzalez (18.9%, now a member of the Minnesota Twins)
E. Yulieski Gurriel (17.9%)

In addition, retired members shall receive a small fine determined by the league:
A. Evan Gattis (16.6%)


SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This resolution may be considered as being effective when passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.

Sponsor: Citizen (FairBol)
House Designation: HR 24-04

72 hours to debate.

Summary of changes:
1. Recognizes cheating and allegations of cheating from 2017-2019 seasons, but focuses on provable cheating during the 2017 season. Removes all further references to events following 2017.

2. Explains differences between regular sign stealing and the Astros' sign stealing system.

3. Changed "It is the sense of Congress..." to "Congress urges..." in addressing the commissioner to take action.

4. Removed the 2019 American League Pennant from titles to be stripped

5. Added World Series MVP to titles to be stripped

6. Added condition that would stop the titles from being awarded to their opponents from 2017.

7. Added sections that hold managers and players accountable via bans.

Does this need a sponsor?

Looks to be civilian sponsored, otherwise I'll take up sponsorship if needed.

[thumb21]

A sponsor isn't needed to citizen bills, ftr.

I'm not really aware of the context of this so some explanation would be interesting. Also is action from the government needed in this situation?

[OSR stands with Israel]

I oppose the amendment because I dont think it should be our job to dictate what punishments the MLB should give out for this.

[thumb21]

Amendment vote

72 hours

[RC (a la Frémont)]

A sponsor isn't needed to citizen bills, ftr.

I'm not really aware of the context of this so some explanation would be interesting. Also is action from the government needed in this situation?

I don't think government action is necessarily needed but if others think so I wanted to include everything that needs to be covered.

Wikipedia for context because I'm a little tight on time and can't get a better source for now.

[Sestak]

I oppose the amendment because I dont think it should be our job to dictate what punishments the MLB should give out for this.

It’s a recommendation, not binding; while I would ordinarily agree with you that the specifics of the punishments shouldn’t be given here, I am interested in seeing how the GM would sim the response to this.


Also ftr I strongly support passage of this resolution in some form.

[PPT Spiral]

Aye on the amendment. Although I'm not as much of an aficionado for baseball as the honorable Representative RC, anything that pushes more accountability and cracks some skulls is good in my book.

[cinyc]

Abstain on the amendment, at least for now. The Astros and Hated Boston Red Sox, for that matter, should be punished by the league, but I don't know whether we should be micromanaging it.

[Fmr. Representative Encke]

Abstain. I know basically nothing about baseball and don't feel that I can comment on this. As an aside, I do find it amusing that this bill is taking up the civilian slot and is preventing the strike bill (which was inexplicably submitted as civilian legislation) from reaching the floor.

[OSR stands with Israel]

Nay

[RC (a la Frémont)]

Abstain on the amendment, at least for now. The Astros and Hated Boston Red Sox, for that matter, should be punished by the league, but I don't know whether we should be micromanaging it.

The Red Sox were acquitted of any wrongdoing on the level of the Astros. Just a rogue operation by one employee occasionally and wrongly using the replay room and combining that with traditional sign stealing. Link

Also Aye on the amendment.

[cinyc]

Abstain on the amendment, at least for now. The Astros and Hated Boston Red Sox, for that matter, should be punished by the league, but I don't know whether we should be micromanaging it.

The Red Sox were acquitted of any wrongdoing on the level of the Astros. Just a rogue operation by one employee occasionally and wrongly using the replay room and combining that with traditional sign stealing. Link

Also Aye on the amendment.

The Hated Boston Red Sox weren't acquitted of anything. They cheated, just like that other hated New England sports franchise.

[Elcaspar]

Abstain.

[Leinad]

Abstain

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Is this an area Congress should be intervening in (even if just a recommendation)?

[thumb21]

Amendment passes

2-1-3-3

Very strange vote

[RC (a la Frémont)]

Amendment passes

2-1-3-3

Very strange vote

Well it's not of much importance compared to everything else that's going on in the world.

Is this an area Congress should be intervening in (even if just a recommendation)?

(To pull an IRL example, President Clinton advocated for the 1994 Baseball strike to be ended, so apply that as you will here.)

[thumb21]

House Resolution
To express the sense of Congress regarding the Houston Astros Baseball Club.

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

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Congressional Resolution as to Recognition of Recent Houston Astros' Championships". 


SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

A. According to various credible sources, in the course of Major League Baseball seasons dating from 2017 to 2019, the Houston Astros engaged in "sign stealing". While the practice is common through the sport's history, Astros management set up complicated sign stealing efforts, electronic and otherwise, to give them an unfair advantage in the regular Major League Baseball season and postseason.

B. The specified activity, designed to give a team an unacceptable competitive advantage over its opponent, is a violation of MLB rules.

C. As part of the 2017 MLB season, the Houston Astros won the American League Championship, as well as the World Series Championship. 

D. If the Astros had not engaged in activity contrary to MLB rules, it is reasonably likely that they would not have won these championships. 

E. The admitted cheating of the Astros, and continued claim by the club to the associated championships, puts the integrity of Major League Baseball in question. In addition, this matter irreparably damages the reputation of the sport of baseball.


SECTION 3. RESOLUTION.

A. Congress urges that the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Rob Manfred should strip the Houston Astros of:

1, the 2017 American League Championship,

2, the 2017 World Series Championship.

It is the Sense of Congress that the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Mr. Rob Manfred, should declare these titles to be vacant.

B. Their opponents in each series shall should not be awarded these championship titles, and shall remain vacated

C. Strip the World Series MVP shall should be from recipient George Springer. All other award recipients shall maintain their awards according to their roles in the club's actions.

D. General Manager Jeff Luhnow, Field Manager Andrew "A.J." Hinch, and Bench Coach Alex Cora shall should be banned from management positions for life for their involvement in the sign-stealing campaign. Former player Carlos Beltran shall be banned from management for one (1) year.

E. All players found to have used the sign-stealing system more than 10% of all plate appearances (as seen here) and that appeared in half (81) of all (162) regular season games shall should receive a ban of one (1) year, including:

A. George Springer (14.9%)
B. Alex Bregman (16.6%)
C. Carlos Correa (16.3%)
D. Marwin Gonzalez (18.9%, now a member of the Minnesota Twins)
E. Yulieski Gurriel (17.9%)

In addition, retired members shall should receive a small fine determined by the league:
A. Evan Gattis (16.6%)

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This resolution may be considered as being effective when passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.[/b]

[RC (a la Frémont)]

Thanks for the fix, that's perfectly fine.

[thumb21]

Does anyone have anything else to say? If not, motion for a final vote.

[thumb21]

Final Vote

72 hours

[Fmr. Representative Encke]

Abstain

[OSR stands with Israel]

Nay