SENATE BILL: Earth First Act (Failed)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AN ACT
To bar federal funds from aiding efforts to colonize Mars

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

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Earth First Act.

Section 2. Ban on federal funds going to expensive, unnecessary, and wasteful pet projects

(a) Whereas Congress finds that the preservation of Earth, its resources, efforts to promote and maintain peace where conflict exists, and protection of the vulnerable are more worthy endeavors than a new space race, no federal funds may be allocated to aid efforts to colonize Mars.

Sponsor: Blair
Senate Designation: SB29:05

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Sponsor advocacy, all that 24 hours, 48 hours for members to respond.

[SevenEleven]

What is considered to be an "effort to colonize Mars"?

[Sirius_]

There is no wasteful space spending, this is a myth. NASA returns more than we spend on it, and the scientific advancements made when we take on projects in space end up being used on Earth. Systems developed for Hubble improved breast cancer screening for example, what some may have derided as a dumb, expensive telescope ended up saving lives. And most importantly, we need to study other planets, including Mars, to fully understand the long term effects of climate change. This bill is based on a false premise.

[OBD]

Unless a tie ensues I won't be voting on this bill, but I would prefer that it be amended to become renewable every five years. At the current juncture I do believe that fighting climate change here at home should take precedence over space exploration, but it's also possible that the calculus on this could change in a few years, and Congress should have an out should Mars exploration become beneficial to Atlasia and the human race.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

As the author of this bill, I thank Senator Blair for introducing it on my behalf.

This legislation was conceived based on a Discord conversation about the priorities of today's ultra-wealthy. Naturally, those of people such as Elon Musk were brought up.

While NASA will still be allowed to work with private individuals on improving space technology, absolutely none should ever be used for Musk's dream idea, and all government priorities ought to be what is best for the people living on this planet - our planet.

Senator tack was the senator responsible for defunding a Kingpoleon proposal to spend $150 billion on colonizing Mars, or whichever the fixed amount was, during a pandemic. This law simply permeates that efforts to grant federal funds to a project that would be wasteful and ultimately leave Atlasians behind and distract us from our efforts to combat climate change.

[Pericles]

I do believe space exploration is a worthy long-term goal, but our budget is under stress right now. So perhaps we should freeze funding for this for the next few years, or at least cut it, while allowing that cut to expire when our deficit is lower so we can further our exploration of the universe and our scientific understanding.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am all for shuffling money around to ease budgetary stress.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I have wondered that with all of the efforts being put into space exploration by billionaires, if it would create a reaction against it, especially among the more environmentally conscious.

I am not saying that is necessarily what is at work here.

"I am escaping to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism................... SPACE" - Not anymore Tim Curry.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

So amendments? Final Vote?

[OBD]

Reiterating that I would prefer to see this with a time expiration/renewal added. Perhaps something along these lines? (though as I'm not a member of this body I can't technically sponsor this...)

AN ACT
To bar federal funds from aiding efforts to colonize Mars

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

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Earth First Act.

Section 2. Ban on federal funds going to expensive, unnecessary, and wasteful pet projects

(a) Whereas Congress finds that the preservation of Earth, its resources, efforts to promote and maintain peace where conflict exists, and protection of the vulnerable are more worthy endeavors than a new space race, no federal funds may be allocated to aid efforts to colonize Mars.
(b) This legislation shall expire after 10 years, upon which it can be renewed by Congress

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Blair?!!!!!

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I will sponsor the amendment for the Vice President.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I have messaged Blair about this.

[Blair]

Apologies this is the punishment for sponsoring a bill as a placeholder without enough emotional attachment to it!

This as amended is fine; I'd be open to 5 years if people wanted something shorter however.

[Blair]

amendment is friendly ftr.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Seeing no objection the amendment is adopted.

[Blair]

Is everyone else happy to move to a final vote shortly?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hrs to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

A Final vote is now open on this legislation, Senators please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I need to think about this one a bit. Hopefully doing so won't this time cause me to miss the vote as this is what has caused 90% of the ones I missed. I like the idea of curtailing spending in certain areas to focus on others, yet I also know the benefits directly and indirectly of space research.

[Blair]

Abstain.

[Senator-elect Spark]

Abstain

[SevenEleven]

Nay.

[Left Wing]

Abstain