Office of Senator Blair: Fighting for Lincoln
Senator Blair introduces Landmark Legislation to Protect Human Rights and Democracy
It was nearly 100 years since Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed that we must be that Arsenal of Democracy and today I have introduced a landmark piece of legislation that would translate this Arsenal into one fit for the 21st century: The Arsenal of Democracy Act.
For too long we have seen our foreign policy and our arms policy of being one that is simply based on our narrow & short terms interests; who acts as a regional power, who checks another regime and who supports our short term goals. But we know this is a deeply flawed & damaging approach; the examples throughout history are endless.
That's why we need to put our core values and our core principles at the centre of our foreign policy; this will not only allow us to be a stronger voice around the world for these values but will allow us to influence and improve human rights around the world.
The 5 central criteria of this bill are around the core values of justice.
1.) A respect for democracy and the rule of law.
2.) Equalities Protections for women, religious groups, LGBT+ groups.
3.) The freedom of the press
4.) Environmental justice.
Thils bill will ensure that these important issues are debated by Congress while also ensuring that there is adequate activity on foreign affairs in both houses of congress. We should not ignore this extremely important issue.
I look forward to this bill being debated in the Senate and I look forward to working across the aisle to get this important bill passed.
Arsenal of Democracy Act.
This Congress recognises the outsized and important role that Atlasia plays on events around the world and recognises the importance of promoting democracy, human rights and equality through all aspects of our foreign policy.
1.) This Act hereby requires that before the authoristian and transfer of either 1.) Non-Lethal arms and ammunition 2.) Lethal arms and ammunition 3.) Policing and anti-terror training from the Government of Atlasia that the Secretary of State sends to congress a resolution certifying that the following conditions have been met.
The criteriaA respect for democracy and the rule of law.
Protections and Equality for but not limited to the following groups and individuals: religious groups and faiths, LGBT+ individuals, gender, those with disabilities and those from indingeous backgrounds.
Protections for the natural environment and a proactive plan to reduce carbon emissions.
The freedom of the press and the right to peacefully protest and assemble.
2.) In light of the above criteria the following countries are hereby barred from purchasing either non-lethal or lethal arms from Atlasia or from receiving military or policing training; either in their own country or in Atlasia.
2A.) Azerbaijan
2B.) Central African Republic
2C.) China
2D.) Brunei
2E.) Belarus
2F.) Egypt
2G.) Iran
2H.) Syria
2I.) Mynamar
2J.) Venezuala
2K.) Zimbabwe
3.) For the above restrictions to be lifted the Secretary of State shall under the terms of this act certify that substantial progress has been made under the provisions in the Criteria and this shall be ratified by both Houses of Congress.
4.) The certification of the provisions in this act shall be reviewed by the Secretary of State every 12 months, with an emergency provision enabling changes, providing that both houses of congress are notified within 10 days.