The White House (Former Office of President Sestak)

[Sestak]

Signing Statement

This bill will help create jobs, especially in rural areas, and I am proud to affix my signature to it.

AN ACT
To authorize the President to reestablish the Civilian Conservation Corps as a means of providing gainful employment to unemployed and underemployed citizens of the Republic of Atlasia through the performance of useful public work, and for other purposes.

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

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act.

Section 2. Establishment and Operation of Civilian Conservation Corp

(a) Establishment and Purpose- In order to relieve the acute condition of widespread distress and unemployment existing in the Republic of Atlasia and to provide for the restoration of depleted natural resources in the Republic of Atlasia and the advancement of an orderly program of useful public works, the President may establish and operate a Civilian Conservation Corps to employ citizens of the Republic of Atlasia, who are otherwise unemployed or underemployed, in the construction, maintenance, and carrying on of works of a public nature in connection with--

(1) the forestation of lands belonging to the Republic of Atlasia or a Region or State;

(2) the prevention of forest fires, floods, and soil erosion;

(3) plant pest and disease control;

(4) the construction, maintenance, or repair of paths, trails, and fire-lanes in units of the National Park System, public lands, and other lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and units of the National Forest System; and

(5) such other work on Federal or State land incidental to or necessary in connection with any projects of the character enumerated in paragraphs (1) through (4) that the President determines to be desirable.

(b) Role of Federal Agencies- To operate the Civilian Conservation Corps, the President may utilize existing Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Labor, the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Federal governmental corporations.

(c) Inclusion of Other Lands- The President may extend the activities of the Civilian Conservation Corps to lands owned by a political subdivision of a Region or State and lands in private ownership, but only for the purpose of conducting such kinds of cooperation work as are otherwise authorized by law in preventing and controlling forest fires and the attacks of forest tree pests and diseases and such work as is necessary and in the public interest to control floods.

(d) Contract Authority- For the purpose of carrying out this Act, the President may enter into such contracts or agreements with Regions or States as may be necessary, including provisions for utilization of existing State administrative agencies.

(e) Acquisition of Real Property- The President, or the head of any department or agency authorized by the President to construct any project or to carry on any public works under this Act, may acquire real property for such project or public work by purchase, donation, condemnation, or otherwise.

Section 3. Administration of Civilian Conservation Corps.

(a) Employment Preference- If the President determines that amounts appropriated to carry out a Civilian Conservation Corps under this Act for a fiscal year will be insufficient to employ all of the citizens of the Republic of Atlasia described in section 2(a) who are seeking or likely to seek employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps and continue the employment of current employees who desire to remain in the Civilian Conservation Corps, the President shall employ additional persons in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the following order of preference:

(1) Unemployed veterans of the Armed Forces and unemployed members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.

(2) Unemployed citizens who have exhausted their entitlement to unemployment compensation.

(3) Unemployed citizens, who immediately before employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps, are eligible for unemployment compensation payable under any State law or Federal unemployment compensation law, including any additional compensation or extended compensation under such laws.
     
(4) Other citizens described in section 2(a).

(b) Housing and Care of Employees- The President may provide housing for persons employed in the Civilian Conservation Corps and furnish them with such subsistence, clothing, medical attendance and hospitalization, and cash allowance, as may be necessary, during the period they are so employed.

(c) Transportation- The President may provide for the transportation of persons employed in the Civilian Conservation Corps to and from the places of employment.

(d) Non-Discrimination- In employing citizens for the Civilian Conservation Corps, no discrimination shall occur in accordance with Federal employment law; except that no individual under conviction for crime and serving sentence therefore shall be employed under the provisions of this Act.

Section 4. Authorization of Appropriations

(a) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the President $16,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024 to establish and operate a Civilian Conservation Corps under this Act.

(b) Use of Unobligated Funds Appropriated for Public Works-

(1) USE OF EXISTING FUNDS- The President may use any moneys previously appropriated for public works and unobligated as of the date of the enactment of this Act to establish and operate a Civilian Conservation Corps under this Act.

(2) USE TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT- Not less than 80 percent of the funds utilized pursuant to paragraph (1) must be used to provide for the employment of individuals under this Act.

(3) EXCEPTIONS- Paragraph (1) does not apply to--

(A) unobligated moneys appropriated for public works on which actual construction has been commenced as of the date of the enactment of this Act or may be commenced within 90 days after that date; and

(B) maintenance funds for river and harbor improvements already allocated as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) Duration of Availability- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (a) or made available under subsection (b) shall remain available until expended.

Section 5. Termination

The authority of the President to establish and operate a Civilian Conservation Corps under this Act expires on September 30, 2022.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

People's House of Representatives
Passed 6-1-0-2 in the People's House of Representatives

Deputy President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
Death is becoming less inevitable lately

AN ACT
To honor an Atlas Forum hero

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

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Olawakandi Day Act.

Section 2. Establishment of Federal Holiday

1. In honor of the 15th anniversary of his initial registration on the Atlas Forum, Wednesday, the thirtieth of June, two thousand and twenty-one, is hereby designated "Olawakandi Day", to be celebrated across Atlasia as well as the Talk Elections Blog at large.
2. Olawakandi Day is established as a full federal holiday for the Republic of Atlasia, and will continued to be celebrated as such annually on the thirtieth of June.
3. Five days of festivities are to be held in Nyman beginning on Olawakandi Day and ending on the Fourth of July.
4. Annual festivities to honor Olawakandi will take place in the form of Sunbelt Celebrations, taking place in Los Angeles, Fremont and Lake Michigan, Lincoln.

House of Representatives
Passed 5-1-1-2 in the People’s House of Representatives


People's Regional Senate
Passed 3-0-2-1 in the Atlasian Senate assembled,

Acting President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
This bill is a strong, positive step in order to try to sincerely aid impoverished urban areas, and has broad support from Congress.

AN ACT
To assist impoverished Atlasians and secure a better future for our posterity.

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

Section I. Title
i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Urban Investment and Redevelopment Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. Urban area is defined as a MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) with over 500,000 residents as of the most recently completed Census.
ii. Underperforming public schools are defined as publicly funded schools in the bottom twentieth percentile, as defined by the state they are located in.

Section III. Creation of Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Regional and local governments may apply to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for urban areas or designated portions of urban areas to be designated as Urban Economic Action District (UEAD).
     a. For an area to be designated a UEAD, the median household income must be below the national median household income, and the percentage of households receiving federal assistance such as SNAP (Supplemental nutrition Assistance Program) must exceed 20%.
     b. Once designated, a UEAD retains its status for five years.
     c. A UEAD may be renewed if it still meets the requirements after five years, however The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall launch an inquiry to determine why renewal was necessary.
ii. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall work with financial institutions to create loan programs to benefit UEADs.

Section IV. Programs for Urban Economic Action Districts
i. Businesses that open new locations within UEADs shall receive a 3% federal corporate tax rebate, exclusive to the UEAD, for the new location for up to three tax years.
ii. Small businesses within UEADs owned by residents of the UEAD are eligible to apply to receive a 5% reduction in federal income tax for up to three tax years.
iii. Businesses receiving the aforementioned tax incentives shall also be exempt from employer-paid payroll taxes on new hires that are residents of the UEAD for up to one tax year.

Section V. Food Desert Prevention Program for Healthy Kids
i. Full-service grocery stores within UEADs can offer a 25% reduction to SNAP and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) beneficiaries to be reimbursed by the federal government.
ii. A package of pots, pans, utensils, measuring cups, and a cookbook will be offered to all SNAP and WIC beneficiaries.
     a. The Department of Agriculture will sponsor cooking classes in UEADs every two months.

Section VI. Deconstruction of Blighted Areas
i. UEADs may apply for grant funds to be used for the purpose of deconstructing and rebuilding blighted areas, with the consent of current residents of the affected blighted areas.
     a. UEADs may apply for grant funds to create public parks and housing developments in formerly blighted areas.
ii. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Housing and Urban Development oversight.

Section VII. Public School Improvements
i. Underperforming public schools can offer up to 33% higher pay to new teacher hires to be covered by the federal government.
     a. The 33% shall apply to the standard starting salary for the school district at the time of the UEAD designation.
ii. Underperforming public schools more than twenty years old may apply for grant funds for school improvements.
     a. Grant funds may be used for classroom remodels, new equipment, or other maintenance or improvements.
     b. All uses of grant funds shall be subject to Department of Education oversight.

Section VIII. Appropriations
i. $200 billion of initial funding is provided to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
ii. $150 billion of initial funding is provided to the Department of Agriculture.
iii. $40 billion of initial funding is provided to the Department of Education.
iv. Additional funding can be allocated upon request, at Congress' discretion.

By a vote of 8-0-0-1, this bill passes the House.
X SevenEleven
People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0-1-0 in the Atlasian Senate assembled,

Acting President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
I have always been a strong supporter of the right to organize and collectively bargain, and this bill goes a long way to allow workers to do so without intimidation from employers and their enforcers. I am very proud to sign this into law.

A BILL

Be it enacted in both houses of Congress Assembled,

The Walter Reuther & Cesar Chavez Solidarity Act

Section 1:No Fire

1A.) It is hereby unlawful for any employer to fire or discipline any employee for joining a trade union, encouraging colleagues to join a union or attempting to form a union or organize within their workplace.

1B.) Any employer found guilty of breaching Section 1A shall be fined $5,000 after the first breach, $10,000 after the second breach and an additional $20,000 for each subsequent breach.

1C.) The Attorney General shall have the authority to introduce additional fines on companies found to breaching this regulation on successive occasions.

Section 2: Recognition

2A.) A union shall be recognized within any workplace providing that more than 50% of employees submit a signed affirmation in favor of unionization.

2B.) If less than 50% but more than 30% of employees submit a signed affirmation in favor of unionization then a secret ballot shall be held by employees on whether to unionize.

2C.) These signed affirmations may only be publicly accessible in an anonymous manner. No individual workers may be identified by signing an affirmation

Section 3: Solidarity Forever

3A.) Solidarity Strikes, or secondary strikes are hereby legal- under the provision that a ballot of union members is held with more than 50% voting in favor.

Section 4: Farm Workers are Workers

4A.) The National Labor Relations Act 1935 is hereby amended to include farm workers, and no limit shall be placed upon them

Section 5: Level Playing Field

5A.) No employer shall be allowed to limit, control or deny access for their employees to discuss or meet with their union representatives.

5B.) Employers shall not be allowed to use company resources to fund or provide literature or promotional material which encourages their employees not to join, except during a permitted election under section 2B, where a spending limit shall be approved by the National Labor Relations board

5C.) It is hereby illegal for an employer to use any form of surveillance to monitor, track or disrupt the lawful activities of union officials within the workplace.

Section 6: The room where it happens.

6A.) All public limited companies shall have at least 1 trade union appointed official as a sitting and voting member of their board of directors.

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

People's House of Representatives
Passed 6-1-0-2 in the People's House of Representatives

Acting President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
The opioid epidemic is of course a major ongoing crisis, and granting emergency funding to combat the epidemic by providing treatment and mitigation as well as improving healthcare and response infrastructure is one of the most important choices we can make. This bill does so while also ensuring that the distribution of this funding is apportioned fairly.

A BILL

To mitigate the costs of drug addiction treatment services for community centers

Be it Enacted in Both Houses of Congress Assembed,

Section 1. Purpose

a) It is the purpose of this Act to provide emergency assistance to States, territories, Tribal nations, and local areas that are disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic and to make financial assistance available to States, territories, Tribal nations, local areas, and other public or private nonprofit entities to provide for the operation of more effective and cost efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with substance use disorder, including with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and their families.

Section 2. Eligibility

a) A state or locality must be evidenced by an increase in the number of cases per capita, the rate or number of overdose deaths, or the severity or need for services to treat various substance use disorders

b) A state or locality will be eligible for a grant under the above conditions

Section 3. Planning

a) To be eligible for grants for this purpose, the chief elected official of the local area must designate a substance use disorder treatment council that shall be -

i. Representative of the population in question
ii. Composed of health care provider members, community-based health organizations, local public health agencies

Section 4. Funding

a) Funding shall be appropriated and earmarked, then directed to local council for distribution to community health centers

b) The funding amount shall be determined based on the number of deaths in the localities that are eligible and the severity of need

Section 5 (Naloxone)

1.) The drug Naloxone shall be available for free distribution to areas eligible under section 2. Additional training classes and materials shall be provided to areas receiving these supplies.

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

People's House of Representatives
Passed 8-1-0-0 in the People's House of Representatives

Acting President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
Given the recent drastic change in policy from the PRC towards Hong Kong, I find the safe harbor policy of this bill to be an appropriate way to proceed. The Republic stands with the people of Hong Kong, and this bill expresses our continued commitment.

A BILL

Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Hong Kong Solidarity & Safe Harbour Act

1.) This act hereby pays tribute to the brave and fearless acts of protest against the Hong Kong Executive and the Chinese Government, and the national security laws introduced.

1B) The congress recognizes that the 'one-party two-systems' model has hereby been disbanded by the actions of the Chinese Government and the Hong Kong Executive.

1C.) The congress hereby recognises that action is hereby needed to support the people of Hong Kong.

2. Safe Harbour

2A. All citizens of Hong-Kong, and their spouses & dependents have suffered persecution, or have a well-founded fear of persecution, on account of their peaceful expression of political opinions or peaceful participation in political activities or associations shall hereby be eligible for asylum.

2B.)  Individuals who have been formally charged, detained, or convicted on account of their peaceful actions shall not face any penalty in their application process.

2C.) The Attorney General shall have the power to restrict the Asylum application of any-one found to have contributed or acted to the arrest, detention or restriction of the democratic rights of Hong Kong.

2D.) No Numerical limit shall be imposed on the number of refugees allowed to enter under this act.

2E.) This section shall expire on the 31st December 2025.

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

People's House of Representatives
Passed 5-0-0-4 in the People's House of Representatives

Acting President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
While the higher requirements set in some of the previous iterations of this bill were far too prohibitive, this increase on the initial posting requirement both helps protect the game from concerted offsite spamming efforts while also still being low enough for any new Atlas poster with an interest to join the game relatively quickly without too much effort; I think it strikes an appropriate balance and thus sign it into law.

Increasing Requirements Act

1. Section 3, Part 8, of the Census Act of 2019 is amended as follows

Section 3. Registration
8.In order to be eligible to register, a poster’s Atlas Forum account must have been registered for at least one hundred and sixty-eight hours and must have accumulated at least forty posts.

2. Nothing in the above change shall be construed as permitting the census administrator to remove the registrations of any voter who has already been registered due to not meeting these requirements.

3. Upon passage of this amendment, a new page entitled "Census Act" shall be created on the wiki. It shall contain the most up to date text, with amendments, of the Census Act as active in law. The page for "Census Act of 2019" shall continue to contain the original text. Both pages shall contain disclaimers at the top of the page explaining this and linking to the other page.

With a vote tally of 5-3-0-1, this bill passes the House.
X SevenEleven

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0-1-0 in the Atlasian Senate assembled,

People's House of Representatives
Amended Version Passed 5-0-3-1 in the People's House of Representatives

Acting President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
This bill goes a long way to expand access to naloxone in order to better treat opioid overdose and combat the opioid crisis.

SENATE BILL

To expand access to naloxone

Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Naloxone Saves Lives (NSL) ACT

1.) Naloxone shall hereby be made available in secure but accessible locations at the federal institutions listed below

1A.) Federal Prisons

1B.) Federal Transport facilities

1C.) Federal Courts

1D.) Government Buildings in Nyman

1E.) Military bases and Operations centres in Atlasia

1F.) Federal Law Enforcement buildings

2.) Grant funding can be applied for to allow state & regional governments to establish Naloxone access at similar locations- $10 million shall be appropriated to pay for this.

3.) Staff at locations with Naloxone dispensers on the above list shall be allowed to carry Naloxone- in order to be eligible to do so they must receive training, guidance and annual refresher classes into the safe use of Naloxone and how to safely secure and store the drug.   

4.) $100 million shall hereby be appropriated for non-federal locations, including schools, colleges, transport hubs, workplaces, community centres and other similar locations to buy and maintain Naloxone dispensers.

5.) $10 million shall be appropriated for a trial program to expand access and the use of Naloxone in rural communities and those disproportionally impacted by opioid addiction.

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

People's House of Representatives
Passed 7-0-0-2 in the House of Representatives

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
The treatment of the HIV/AIDS pandemic by our country and its predecessor has, at times, been disgracefully negligent, with the LGBT community as well as minority groups being the most disproportionately impacted. While those actions and inactions cannot be undone, it is my hope that this bill can at least rectify a small part of that injustice and work towards the eventual goal of an AIDS-free world.

HOUSE BILL

To eradicate transmission of HIV/AIDs by 2030

Be it enacted in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Making HIV/AIDs History Act

Section 1: 2030

1A.) This act hereby commits the Atlasian Government to reach zero HIV/AIDs transmissions by 2030. It recognises the estimated 700,000 Atlasians estimated to have died from HIV/AIDs and the millions who continue to live with HIV/AIDs.

1B.) A Taskforce between State, regional and Federal Government departments shall be created, along with the appointment of a '2030' Director to organise the taskforce to reach the 2030 target. £500 million shall be appropriated to support this taskforce.

Section 2: History

2A.) This act hereby recognises the failure of the Atlasian Government, the medical and international community to take action against the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the 1980s, and recognises the burden of this injustice fell disproportionately on LGBT+ and African-American communities across Atlasia.

2B.) The Government of Atlasia hereby commits $50 million to establishing a national HIV/AIDs Memorial, Museum and Institute. A panel shall hereby be created, including of HIV/AIDs activists to select a short-list of locations.

Section 3: Ending Stigma.

3A.) No travel restrictions shall be placed on individuals on the sole basis of their HIV/AIDs status.

3B.) The Evergreen-Tmth Equality Act of 2016 and the 1964 Civil Rights Act are hereby amended to include HIV/Patients as a protected party under these acts.  

3C.) All universities, high schools, colleges and other education institutions receiving federal funding shall be required to carry out anti-discrimination training and awareness courses around HIV/AIDs.

Section 4: Keep Prepping.

4A.) All Health insurance plans sold in Atlasia shall be required to include Prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication.

4B.) Pharmacies shall be able to dispense and authorise prescriptions of PREP

4C.) $100 million shall be spent on a public awareness campaign for PREP, with 25% of this funding targeted at increasing awareness in communities with low-levels of PREP use.

4D.) $25 million shall be spent on expanding tele-health trials to promote and encourage the use of PREP.

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

People's House of Representatives
Passed 6-0-0-3 in the House of Representatives

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
This bill takes important steps to protect those with learning disabilities. I am especially pleased to sign the DNR restrictions into law; the procedure for issuing such orders has always felt rather suspect to me and these protections will be very helpful with preventing abuse.

A BILL
To protect the wellbeing and rights of Atlasians with learning disabilities

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

SECTION I: TITLE
1. This legislation may be referred to as the Stop Abuse of DNACPR Notices and End Waitlist Situations (SADNEWS) Act.

SECTION II: DEFINITIONS
1. For the purposes of this bill,
   a. "Vaccine" shall refer to COVID-19 vaccines that have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
   b. "Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders," also known as "Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders," shall refer to medical orders written by doctors instructing healthcare providers not to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient's breathing stops or if the patient's heart stops beating.
   c. "Learning disabilities" shall refer to clinically diagnosed conditions adversely affecting a person's ability to receive and process information, manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities.

SECTION III: FINDINGS
1. The Atlasian Congress finds:
   a. That, as presently defined, DNACPR orders are vulnerable to abuse by medical practitioners, administrators, or institutions;
   b. That COVID-19 patients with learning disabilities suffer an injustice when inappropriate DNACPR orders are issued for them without their consent;
   c. That, as a result of numerous environmental and bureaucratic obstacles to accessing treatment, people with learning disabilities are more likely than the average person to die of COVID-19 if they contract the disease and should be included among the highly-prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations forthwith.

SECTION IV: RESTRICTIONS ON DNACPR ORDERS
1. DNACPR orders must not be issued in blanket form to any group of people.
2. Medical officers shall be required to notify the patient (if possible) and any relevant family members, legal guardians, or healthcare advisors before issuing a DNACPR order for the patient.
3. DNACPR orders shall not be issued without the patient's explicit and official consent to the decision, provided the patient is able to give such.
   a. If—and only if—the patient is incapacitated or otherwise unable to consent, their family member(s), legal guardian(s), or a previously designated healthcare professional (if any) may make the decision on their behalf.
4. The presence, or lack thereof, of learning disabilities shall not be grounds for consideration or issuance of DNACPR orders for patients.


SECTION V: IMPLEMENTATION
1. This legislation shall take effect immediately upon passage.

By a vote of 9-0-0, this bill passes the House.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0-0-1 in the Atlasian Senate assembled,

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[OBD]

Mr. President, the following resolution has passed both houses and now awaits your signature.

SENATE RESOLUTION

To condemn the trade policies and territorial expansion by the Peoples Republic of China.

Be it Resolved in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Chinese Trade and Territorial Expansion Resolution

Section 1. Background

In flagrant violation of international law, the People's Republic of China has taken a series of actions that involve uses of force to instigate retaliation between its neighbors such as India. If no action is taken on the part of Atlasia, the two countries will be set on a path toward war. The purpose of this resolution is to condemn China's practices and tactics as it relates to their un-quenched desire for territorial expansion at the expense of the rest of the world.

As it relates to currency manipulation, China is able to set the value of its currency as it sees fit as it possesses a centrally-planned economy. This provides an unfair advantage to the People's Republic of China because the value of other nations' currency continues to fluctuate. By lowering the value of their currency, China gains an unfair advantage. While steps have been taken in recent years, the Republic of Atlasia shall monitor this activity closely to regain an international trade balance.

Section 2. Definition
1. Salami slicing practices entail using subversive tactics to expand their territorial claims by being the aggressor and then claiming self-defense when another nation retaliates.

Section 2. Adoption
1. The passage of this resolution will create a watch-list and add China as a member country
2. Upon passage, The Republic of Atlasia will officially condemn China's "salami-slicing" practices in Asia.

People's Regional Senate Passed 3-1-1

House of Representatives Passed 7-0-0-2

President of Congress

[OBD]

Mr. President, the following bill has passed both Houses of Congress and now awaits your signature.

AN ACT
To increase the minimum wage
Be it enacted in both houses of Congress

Section 1; Title
1. This legislation may be cited as the "Rewarding Hard Work Act"
Section 2; Minimum Wage Increase
1. 29 U.S.C § 206(a)(1) is amended to read as follows:

(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than $11.00  $15.00 an hour;

Section 3; Implementation
1. The increase in the federal minimum wage shall take effect over a period of two years-
a) Starting from January 1, 2022, the federal minimum wage shall increase by $2 at the start of each year until it reaches $15.

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

House of Representatives Passed 4-2-0-3

President of Congress

[OBD]

Mr President, the following bill has passed both houses of Congress and now awaits your signature.

AN ACT
To reduce the eligible time between re-registrations after voluntary deregistrations

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

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Deregistration Forgiveness Act.

Section 2. Amendment to the Census Act of 2019

1. Section 5 of the Census Act of 2019 is hereby amended:

If a voter deregisters voluntarily, they may not register again until one hundred and sixty eight hours have passed

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives Passed 3-1-2-3

President of Congress

[OBD]

Mr. President, the following bill has passed both Houses of Congress and now awaits your signature.

SENATE BILL

Be it enacted in both houses of the CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ATLASIA

Home Buyer Assistance Stabilization Act

Section 1. Title

A) The title of this bill shall be the Home Buyer Assistance Stabilization Act

Section 2. Administration

A) Departments of housings in regions across Atlasia shall establish and administer the home buyer assistance program to:

1. Assist home buyers by providing low-interest mortgage loans, with down payment and closing cost assistance options for the purchase of homes.  

2. Coordinate with, as appropriate, provide matching monies for similar programs that are offered by private employers and county and municipal governments so to maximize the total amount that home buyers can receive under this program.

B) The home buyer assistance fund is hereby established which shall consist of legislative appropriations to be compiled to at least $1,000,000 via monies received from the repayment of loans provided by the program and interest earned on those monies. The departments of each region shall administer the fund for continuous appropriation.

C)  For loans provided under this program, the departments shall:

1. Allow home buyers to use the loans for the purchase of newly constructed or existing homes, including homes that are held in cooperative or condominium forms of ownership.

2. Require that borrowers under this program do not own other residential real estate at the time of the loan request.

3. Require a home purchased under this program be occupied by the home buyer as a princiapl residence.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembed,

House of Representatives Passed 6-1-0-2

President of Congress

[Sestak]

EXECUTIVE ORDER
to make provisions for the expedient administration of Congress

FalterinArc, Senator, of the state of Washington, is hereby renominated to be Deputy President of Congress


    
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[OBD]

Mr. President, the following bill is now avaliable for your signature.

Sticking a Middle Finger to Big Brother Act

Be it enacted in both houses of Congress assembled,

Section 1. Saving Face
a. A "facial recognition camera" is any camera which includes a feature to recognize a person's face.
b. All facial recognition cameras, with the following exceptions, are hereby banned in the Republic of Atlasia.
  i. Smartphones, tablets, and other personal, mobile devices not permanently mounted to a surface shall be exempt from this law.
c. "Permanently mounted" is defined as any electronic device that ceases to function if unplugged from a power outlet
d Owners of such devices shall have until July 1, 2021 to dispose of them.
e. Owners may report the exact model to a government website where they will be sent directions to their local police station.
f. Local police stations will collect cameras that are brought to them and provide reimbursement for the value of when the model first reached the public market, adjusted for inflation. These cameras will be turned over to the federal government at once.
g. Manufacturers of such devices shall immediately cease production of all such devices. They shall be reimbursed for the costs of their stockpile using current market price if they turn their stockpile over to the federal government.
h. Any person or entity found in violation of parts 2(c) and 2(d) may be fined an amount not to exceed $5,000, and shall have such device confiscated.
i. Any police department which fails to turn over cameras received will lose 50% of it's federal funding for a minimum of one fiscal year.

Section 2. Cur-phew
a. "Curfew laws" are defined as all laws prohibiting people of any age group, or in general, from being in public areas during a certain time (usually at night), outside of a state of emergency as declared by either the President or local authorities.
b. Any jurisdiction that passes curfew laws shall lose federal funding
c. All persons cited for violating curfew laws shall have their records expunged.

Passed 5-2-1-1 in the House assembled
People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-1-1 in the Atlasian Senate assembled (amended)

House of Representatives Passed 5-2-1-1

President of Congress

[Sestak]

EXECUTIVE ORDER
to end pandemic restrictions which are no longer necessary

WHEREAS, the coronavirus pandemic which has decimated the world over the last year is finally winding to a close within the Republic of Atlasia; and

WHEREAS, Vaccination efforts have been extremely successful in getting the Atlasian public vaccinated; and

WHEREAS, A majority of all adults in Atlasia have been fully vaccinated and a majority of all Atlasians have been administered at least one shot, with more vaccinations occuring every day; and

WHEREAS, An overwhelming majority of Atlasians aged 65 and up, the group most vulnerable to the disease, have been fully vaccinated, including a majority in nearly every Atlasian county; and

WHEREAS, Vaccinations have been available to the general public in every region and every state for at least one full month; and

WHEREAS, The first vaccines for children aged 12 to 16 have been approved and are now beginning administration; and

WHEREAS, Scientific research indicates that mask usage is unnecessary for people who have been vaccinated; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control yesterday released an updated advisory reflecting this; now, therefore



All requirements for mask usage and distancing pertaining primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic on federal property and within any other area of federal jurisdiction are hereby rescinded effective immediately.



On this fourteenth day of May in the year two thousand and twenty-one,
    
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[OBD]

A BILL

protecting the right to produce music that is inspired by other works

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

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Inspiration Is Not Theft Act of 2020".

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

A. In 2013, defendants Mr. Pharrell Williams, Mr. Robin Thicke, and Mr. Clifford Harris, Jr., were served with a lawsuit from plaintiffs representing the estate of Marvin Gaye, Jr. (Mr. Frankie Christian Gaye, Mr. Marvin Gaye III, and Ms. Nona Marvisa Gaye, respectively).  

B. The defendants, which may be referred to as the "Thicke Group", are songwriters and musicians by trade.

C. The matter at issue in this case involves copyright infringement; specifically, does the musical composition "Blurred Lines" (as written by Williams, Thicke, and Harris) copy the essential elements in the Gaye composition "Got To Give It Up" (as written by Mr. Marvin Gaye, Jr.) (thus entitling the plaintiffs to financial relief)?

D. Although the two songs share a similar style, the underlying melodies and harmonies are not sufficiently similar to one another.  

E. A district court entered judgment for the plaintiffs; on appeal, this was affirmed by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  

F. As decided by the Ninth Circuit, the ruling in this case effectively declares that works imitating, but not specifically copying, other works may be regarded as copyright infringements.  

G. This decision has had, and will continue to have, a "chilling effect" on the capability of songwriters to produce works evoking other eras or styles.  

H. As a matter of routine, many musical acts and works imitate the style of other musical acts and works.  

SECTION 3. PROTECTION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS.

A. It shall not be a violation of copyright law to:

1. Imitate, or borrow from, the style of another artist or composition.  

2. Produce a work parodying another's compositions or style.  

3. Employ, or assist in employing, any person who created, or assisted in the creation of, another act or work.  

SECTION 4. ACT NOT TO BE MISCONSTRUED.

This Act shall not be so construed as to prohibit certain individuals or groups the right to seek credit, and/or financial compensation for, the direct copying of specific works (in the music industry, this act is known as "sampling")

SECTION 5. WHEN EFFECTIVE.

This Act will become effective when signed by the president.

House of Representatives
Passed the House of Representatives 3-2-1-3

People's Regional Senate
Passed 3-2-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assmbled

President of Congress

[/quote]
Mr. President, the following bill has passed both Houses of Congress and now awaits your signature.

[Sestak]

EXECUTIVE ORDER
to conjoin enforcement of outdated statutory masking requirements tied to regional funding

WHEREAS, Congress last year passed legislation tying certain forms of federal funding regional, state, and local authorities to the institution of masking requirements in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, vaccination efforts have reached the point where blanket mask mandates are unnecessary; and

WHEREAS, the federal government shall no longer be enforcing masking or distancing requirements with regards to the pandemic on its property; and

WHEREAS, there is no reason to tie the hands of regional, state, and local governments through federal legislation to benchmarks which the federal government itself no longer considers necessary to meet; now, therefore


It is hereby ordered that the statute F.L. 26-05 no longer be enforced by any branch of the federal executive in any capacity. All relevant federal budgetary authorities are hereby ordered to make all appropriations as otherwise would occur to the regions irrespective of compliance to the requirements therein.



On this fourteenth day of May in the year two thousand and twenty-one,
    
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[OBD]

Mr. President, this bill is now available for signing.

AN ACT
To improve transport and connectivity across our nation.

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

Section I. Title

i. The long title of this bill shall be the "Expansion of High Speed Rail and Mass Transit Act." It may be cited as the "High Speed Rail Act."

Section II. Definitions
i. High speed rail is defined as a railroad capable of supporting trains in excess of 120 mph.

Section III. Construction of High Speed Rail Arteries
i. A high speed railway shall be constructed along the western coast.
     a. The Department of Transportation should negotiate possible connections through Canada and Mexico.
ii. A high speed railway shall be constructed along the eastern coast.


Section IV. Creation of National Rail Authority
i. The National Rail Authority is hereby established under the Department of Transportation and tasked with the responsibility of overseeing construction, rail route development, and consumer-end transit program implementation.
ii. The National Rail Authority shall consist of members appointed by the President of Atlasia.
iii. The layout of the seaboard routes and placement of cross-country rail routes shall be the responsibility of the National Rail Authority.
iv. Congress shall retain the ability to legislate new routes or override the decisions of the National Rail Authority if necessary.

Section V. Appropriations
i. $80 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of new rail and adaptation of old rail for the creation of the seaboard routes.
$10 billion of this shall be appropriated for upgrading of the Northeast Corridor High-Speed Rail Line.
ii. $250 million shall be appropriated for surveying and planning of cross-country rail routes.
iii. $3 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of connecting routes to off-route cities.
iv. $150 billion shall be released for construction of new rail and adaptation of old rail for the creation of cross country routes pending a finalized route plan from the National Rail Authority.
v. $8 billion shall be released for the construction of connecting routes to off-route cities pending a finalized route plan from the National Rail Authority.

With a final tally of 5-2-0-2, this bill passes.
X SevenEleven
People's Regional Senate
Passed 3-0-0-3 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled

Passes 4-3-0-3 in the House (Amended)

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
Atlasia stands in firm support of self determination. We recognize the sovereignty of both the PRC and the ROC. The Republic will work against all attempts to subvert democratic values and self determination. We hope that peaceful reconciliation between these two states may one day be possible.

ROC Act of 2021

1. The Republic of Atlasia will recognize the Republic of China and shall establish a embassy in Taipei, Republic of China
2. The Republic of Atlasia shall recognize that the Republic of China currently controls Taiwan Main Island/Formosa, Kinmen Main Island, Penghu Main Island, Orchid Island, Xiyu Island, Waisanding Shoal Island, Green Island, Lesser Kinmen Island, Baisha Island, Nangan Island, Cimei Island, Lamay Island, Wang'an Island, and Beigan Island.

Passed 6-2-0-1 in the Atlasian House assembled



People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-2-0-0 in the Atlasian Senate assembled,

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
Far too many have lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill will help Atlasians set up proper services to put those loved ones to rest.

HOUSE BILL

To reduce the burden of COVID-19 related expenses for Atlasians

BE IT ENACTED IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ATLASIA ASSEMBLED,

COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act

Section 1. Purpose

a. Countless Atlasians lost their lives due to COVID-19 and it is the responsibility of the federal government to reduce the financial burden that Atlasians experience as a result of the losses of loved ones.
b. This bill shall establish a COVID-19 relief fund to lessen the burden of funeral expenses, for those experiencing hardship and financial difficulty.

Section 2. Eligibility for assistance for COVID-19 expenses

a. An Atlasian citizen must experience the death of a loved one due to the COVID-19 disease.
b. An Atlasian citizen must not have insurance to pay for such expenses
c. Prove COVID-19 as a cause of death pursuant to death certificate verified by a physician and coroner
d. The amount shall not exceed $10,000 to the affected individual
e. An Atlasian citizen must be have a gross monthly income that is equal to, or below 130% of the federal poverty level for their household.
F. Must be the next of kin for the deceased.

Section 3. Funding
a. The fund shall be established through the use of taxation and accrue an amount of $50,000,000

Section 4. Distribution

a. Grants earmarked to the regions of the Republic of Atlasia
b. Regions must designate the grants to localities

People's Regional Senate
Passed 5-0-1 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

People's House
Passed 7-0-0-2 in the House

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement

Repeated flagrant violations of internatonal law deserve condemnation. This resolution does so and has my full support.

SENATE RESOLUTION

To condemn the trade policies and territorial expansion by the Peoples Republic of China.

Be it Resolved in both Houses of Congress Assembled,

Chinese Trade and Territorial Expansion Resolution

Section 1. Background

In flagrant violation of international law, the People's Republic of China has taken a series of actions that involve uses of force to instigate retaliation between its neighbors such as India. If no action is taken on the part of Atlasia, the two countries will be set on a path toward war. The purpose of this resolution is to condemn China's practices and tactics as it relates to their un-quenched desire for territorial expansion at the expense of the rest of the world.

As it relates to currency manipulation, China is able to set the value of its currency as it sees fit as it possesses a centrally-planned economy. This provides an unfair advantage to the People's Republic of China because the value of other nations' currency continues to fluctuate. By lowering the value of their currency, China gains an unfair advantage. While steps have been taken in recent years, the Republic of Atlasia shall monitor this activity closely to regain an international trade balance.

Section 2. Definition
1. Salami slicing practices entail using subversive tactics to expand their territorial claims by being the aggressor and then claiming self-defense when another nation retaliates.

Section 2. Adoption
1. The passage of this resolution will create a watch-list and add China as a member country
2. Upon passage, The Republic of Atlasia will officially condemn China's "salami-slicing" practices in Asia.

People's Regional Senate Passed 3-1-1

House of Representatives Passed 7-0-0-2

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement

This minimum wage increase seems sensible and has garnered broad support in Congress.

AN ACT
To increase the minimum wage
Be it enacted in both houses of Congress

Section 1; Title
1. This legislation may be cited as the "Rewarding Hard Work Act"
Section 2; Minimum Wage Increase
1. 29 U.S.C § 206(a)(1) is amended to read as follows:

(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than $11.00  $15.00 an hour;

Section 3; Implementation
1. The increase in the federal minimum wage shall take effect over a period of two years-
a) Starting from January 1, 2022, the federal minimum wage shall increase by $2 at the start of each year until it reaches $15.

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

House of Representatives Passed 4-2-0-3

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII

[Sestak]

Signing Statement
Congress has elected to reduce the deregistration cooldown; on this I defer to the decision they have made by a substantial margin.

AN ACT
To reduce the eligible time between re-registrations after voluntary deregistrations

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

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Deregistration Forgiveness Act.

Section 2. Amendment to the Census Act of 2019

1. Section 5 of the Census Act of 2019 is hereby amended:

If a voter deregisters voluntarily, they may not register again until one hundred and sixty eight hours have passed

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

House of Representatives Passed 3-1-2-3

President of Congress

   
I. C. SESTAC PRAESES ATLASIENSIS LII