HR 29-31: Eastern Oklahoma Negotiations Resolution (Tabled)

[Dr. MB]

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should enter into negotiations regarding portions of Oklahoma.

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

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Resolution may be cited as the "Eastern Oklahoma Negotiations Resolution"

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

A. On July 9, 2020, the Supreme Court (OOC, but regarded as binding for IG purposes) issued a decision in the matter of McGirt v. Oklahoma. At issue was whether Native American lands in the eastern region of the State of Oklahoma were ever disestablished by this body, and thus made part of the territory formerly known as the United States, and now known as the Republic of Atlasia.  More specifically, the matter at hand dealt with the validity of claims made by Native American tribes to lands in Eastern Oklahoma.
 
B. The Native American tribes that are parties to this matter (specifically, the Muscogee/Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw tribes) may be known as (for the purposes of this resolution) the "Five Tribes of Oklahoma", hereafter referred to as the "Five Tribes".

C.  In a five-to-four majority decision, the Court held that, for the purposes of federal legislation, the lands claimed by the Five Tribes were never disestablished.  Writing for the majority, Honorable Justice Neil Gorsuch said "because Congress has not said (that the lands in question are part of Atlasia), we hold the government to its word".  

D.  The Court's ruling effectively puts the eastern half of the State of Oklahoma into exclusively Native American hands, and out of the jurisdiction of this government.  

E.  According to Article IV, Section II, sub-section 1, clause 7 of the Constitution of Atlasia, the President of Atlasia has the power

"to make treaties, with the advice and consent of the Senate"

.

F.  The proper remedy for this matter is to, (in partnership with the Five Tribes), draw up a treaty which (when enacted) will return the lands in question to the jurisdiction of Atlasia.  

SECTION 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

A.  It is the sense of this Congress that:

1.  The President should, by presentation of a diplomat of his choosing, immediately enter talks with representatives of the Five Tribes.  

2.  The stated purpose of these talks should be the return of now Native American lands in the eastern portion of Oklahoma to Atlasian control, as exercised by and for the regions, states, and people.

3.  If such negotiations are successful, and duly ratified by representatives of the Five Tribes, the President shall present any proposed treaty to the Senate, for possible ratification.

SECTION 4. WHEN EFFECTIVE.

This resolution shall become effective when passed by Congress.  

Sponsor: Fairbol (Civilian)
Designation: HR 29-31

[Sirius_]

How can a SCOTUS decision from 2020 be considered binding in Atlasia?

[Talleyrand]

How can a SCOTUS decision from 2020 be considered binding in Atlasia?
[/quote

Yep, it doesn't make sense given the alternative timeline.

[Dr. MB]

How can a SCOTUS decision from 2020 be considered binding in Atlasia?
[/quote

Yep, it doesn't make sense given the alternative timeline.

Yeah I agree with this. I got this from the queue since it never got introduced in the first place but I'll wait for Fairbol to get online.

[Joseph Cao]

I had similar concerns with the differences between RL and OTL back when I was Speaker, which is why this wasn't brought to the floor at the time. Why I didn't just strike it from the queue at the time, though, is beyond me.

[Joseph Cao]

Is the sponsor available? This has been on the floor for over a week.

Tempted to motion to table, and probably will if the sponsor doesn't show up, but I'd like to hear the rationale for this.

[Dr. MB]

Is the sponsor available? This has been on the floor for over a week.

Tempted to motion to table, and probably will if the sponsor doesn't show up, but I'd like to hear the rationale for this.

I sent a PM to Fairbol. I'll wait a few more days and go ahead with the tabling if he doesn't show up.

[Dr. MB]

Motion to table

[Joseph Cao]

Seconding the motion.

[Dr. MB]

Vote on whether to table. 72 hours.

[Dr. MB]

Aye

[Harvey Updyke Jr🌹]

Aye

[Continential]

Aye

[Sirius_]

Aye

[Talleyrand]

Aye

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Aye

[Dr. MB]

This has the votes to table and will he closed in 24 hours

[Joseph Cao]

Aye.

[Dr. MB]

With 7 votes to table this bill is off the floor