HB 25-02: Repeal of the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act (Debating)

[Mike Thick]

Abstain. I think the proponent of the amendment has some good ideas, but I would prefer to consider such questions in separate legislation, and continue debating the bill as proposed.

[Mike Thick]

Appreciate Sev's explanation of why he introduced the amendment, and his reasoning is pretty solid. I also agree with Ses: drawing a line between "germane" and "non-germane" intentions would undermine a lot of the give-and-take that goes into bill negotiation, and he was right not to yank the amendment.

That said, the amendment doesn't just swap out a couple of provisions -- it turns the bill into something completely different from what the author intended, and I don't think anyone here disputes that. As such, I stand by my original statement and don't plan to change my vote.

[Mike Thick]

Yes. Ted Bessell, notorious lover of firearms

[Mike Thick]

Muad’dib is recognized as sponsor.

As for Sev’s motion, I think a faster way to get this off the floor would be to go to a final vote, and encourage him to modify his motion accordingly.

[Mike Thick]

We're going to vote on Sev's motion now, because 1. He made his motion first, 2. This section of the House of the Representatives Rules and Procedures for Operation provides for this circumstance:

3.) When legislation has been on the floor for more than 72 hours, any representatives may call for a vote on said legislation... If the legislation has been on the floor for more than 168 hours, or debate has ceased for 24 hours, a simple majority shall be needed to pass cloture. The presiding officer shall then, at their sole discretion, either open votes on pending amendments followed by a final vote, or void pending amendments and move to an immediate final vote. If legislation has been on the floor for more than 168 hours and debate has ceased for at least 48 hours, a vote shall not be required to pass cloture.

This seems to clearly indicate that cloture motions supersede pending amendments. So, we're going to vote on the cloture motion, and consider the amendment afterwards regardless of whether the first motion passes or fails.


There are is a motion to invoke cloture and move to a final vote on the floor. A simple majority is required to pass this motion. You will have no more than 72 hours to vote, or no less than 24 hours from when the motion attains majority support or opposition.

[Mike Thick]

Aye

[Mike Thick]

I respect both of you guys a lot, but I think you're taking this too seriously. This is a minor procedural vote that, at most, delays or accelerates a final vote by a day. Nothing that's being discussed here is going to change the substance of the bill enough to move votes. It's not worth pouring blood/sweat/tears into.

Also, Muad'dib, your amendment is still going to be considered whether we invoke cloture or not. So Sev's motion isn't "trumping" yours -- just happening first.

[Mike Thick]

Voting on the cloture motion is closed.

Ayes:
gracile
Razze
SevenEleven
Ted Bessell

Nays:
Joseph Cao
Muad'dib

Not Voting:
Elcaspar
HCP
Winfield

By a vote of 4-2-0-3, the motion passes and debate is ended.

[Mike Thick]

It is now in order to consider pending amendments. We shall consider the amendment proposed by Representative Muad'dib.

HOUSE BILL

Repeal of the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act

To repeal the misguided and ineffective assault weapons ban.

Be it enacted by both houses of the Congress of Atlasia

Findings

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. The Federal government recognizes the right to keep and bear arms in the republic of Atlasia is a fundamental right and therefore the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act are hereby repealed.

All parts of the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act are hereby repealed.

A vote is now open on the adoption of this amendment. Representatives shall have 72 hours to vote, or 24 hours from whenever the amendment attains majority support or opposition.

[Mike Thick]

Nay

[Mike Thick]

Guys, we have a Congressional Discussion Thread for this

[Mike Thick]

Alright. Voting on the amendment closed.

Ayes:
gracile
Joseph Cao
Muad'dib

Nays:
SevenEleven
TedBessell

Not Voting:
Elcaspar
HCP
Razze
Winfield

By a vote of 3-2-0-4, the amendment is adopted.

[Mike Thick]

HOUSE BILL

Repeal of the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act

To repeal the misguided and ineffective assault weapons ban.

Be it enacted by both houses of the Congress of Atlasia

Findings

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. The Federal government recognizes the right to keep and bear arms in the republic of Atlasia is a fundamental right and therefore the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act are hereby repealed.

All parts of the Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act are hereby repealed.

This is the final text of the bill. A final vote is now open on this legislation. Representatives will have 72 hours to vote, or 24 hours from whenever the bill attains majority support or opposition. Please vote aye, nay, or abstain.

Nay.