SENATE BILL: Arsenal of Democracy Act (Passed)

[Blair]

FWIW the act has two parts; one is that the SOS must certify that countries currently receiving arms meet the criteria while a hard & fast break is imposed on some countries right away & makes it harder for them to be lifted.

I acknowledge that it's always a tricky issue and one where we'll have different views; the hope is that this bill starts this discussion (as this debate has taught me more about our foreign policy)

I will be hoping to get a vote rolling sometime this week

Should Russia and North Korea be added? Saudi Arabia? There is a number of countries with communist or authoritarian governments that are undemocratic. If we're going to be consistent in our support for democracy and human rights, this list will be a mile long.

And although I personally believe democracy to be the best form of government, the cultural and tribal differences in some countries render democracy unworkable. Democracy would not work, and has never been tried, in countries like China and Saudi Arabia. We need to be humble in recognizing that instituting democracy throughout the world simply isn't feasible, and not the only measure of human rights.

My assumption was that Russia would not be getting arms sales so wouldn;t need to be on the list and would fall off the criteria.

On the second point I'd say that I'm not someone who believes that we shouldn't engage with these countries; I just don't believe we should be selling them arms and more particuarly arms that are used to repress their own people; we often hid behind exporting policing training which is then used to crush dissent in these countries.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Last amendment has been adopted just for the record.

Any other amendments here?

[Blair]

None from me

[Blair]

I move for a final vote

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Seeing no objections, a final Vote is now open on this legislation, Senators please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Aye

[Blair]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

[Devout Centrist]

Aye

[Former President tack50]

aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Vote on Final Passage of the Arsenal of Democracy Act:

Aye (6): Blair, Devout Centrist, LT, NC Yankee, Scott and Tack50
Nay (0):
Abstain (0):

Didn't Vote (0):

This bill has passed the Senate and is sent to the VP for House action.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senate Bill

Be it Enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Arsenal of Democracy Act.

This Congress recognizes the outsized and important role that Atlasia plays on events around the world and recognizes the importance of promoting democracy, human rights and equality through all aspects of our foreign policy.

1.) This Act hereby requires that before the authorization 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 criteria

A 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.) Zimbabwe
2K.) Saudi Arabia

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.

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