The STV Congress--Congress Chamber! QUORUM CALL!!!!

[Republican_Man]

NOW BEGINNING!
This is the OFFICIAL Congress debate thread. If you want membership, post in the other thread.

A NEW Project Approved by Jeremy!
Created by Congressman Republican_Man, Republican, Speaker of the Congress

NOTE: The following is subject to change.



This is NOT an RPG. It is like the Congress' of the world's nations. This Congress has been started by Republican_Man and approved by Jeremy.

Structure:
This is the structure of the STV Congress and how it will run.

Speaker: Runs the sessions, is Republican_Man always because he is like the "Mod" of the Congress. Has a 1.5 vote if there were to be a tie.

Administrator General: Theresa; Moderator of the World News forum. Will attend for special sessions, when wished, replacing the Senator as runner of the Congress sessions. (like the Vice President and the US Senate)

Legislation Committee: The General Members, or Congressmen, as they are called, will form a Legislation Committee, to which membership could be gained if they wanted to, but no vote is necessary for membership. This committee run by a voted-in leader, chosen by the Congress, although it will start out as Republican_Man. This committee will put out full-fledged legislation, and vote on whether or not it should be allowed to proceed to the "Congressional Chamber" for a "floor" debate and ultimate vote.

Congressmen: General Members. These members propose and choose legislation, debate it, and vote on it.

Btw, the Congress format in full:

Format: The Congressional Chamber, as it is called, will run like this:
1. Opening Ceremony. This happens at the beginning of each session, which is when a new legislation is up for debate.
2. Motions. Request motions for the floor.
3. Opening Debate. Whomever has proposed the legislation gets to speak, displaying their authorship on the bill, and then gets questioned by fellow Congressmen.
4. Opponent Leadership. The Primary Opposition to the bill (Opponenet Leadership), who can request this position to the Speaker of the Congress, will give his speech representing the opposition of the bill, and then gets questioned by fellow Congressmen.
5. Motions. Request motions for the floor.
6. CX (Cross-Examination/Fire) Debate--Sudden arguments. You may respond with sounds (grounds) to proponent and oponent statements during this time, and may speak up when the speaker has finished asking the question and then it has been answered without request. This lasts about 10 or so posts.
7.Proponent Speech. Unless a motion to "move to previous question" (read below) is passed, and a vote is passed, another proponent will be allowed to give a speech, and then gets questioned by fellow Congressmen.
8. Opponent Speech. Unless a motion to "move to previous question" (read below) is passed, and a vote on the bill occurs, another opponent will be allowed to give a speech, and then gets questioned by fellow Congressmen.
9. Steps 6, 7, and 8 will be repeated until a vote is eventually passed.
10. Closing Ceremony. This happens at the end of each session.

Terms/Processes:
Motion to Move to Previous Question: This term is a request to vote on the issue. Once seconded, people may vote. If a majority vote agrees, a vote on the resolution will occur.
Motion to Amend the Legislation: If you wish to change the legislation, you may request to submit an amendment to the legislation. You A) Must ave the changed legislation andamendment ready (separate, and bold the amendment in the legislation) B) MUST have logical reasoning for this, which you should display in the motion.
The Speaker of the Congress will be allowed to state his opposition or agreement to the legislation, but will most likely have to pass it. Once the amendment has been approved by the Speaker of the Congress (which will usually happen, when logical reasoning is given), the amendment will be read, and the full legislation sent to all members via DataPad, and it shall be seconded for voting. The proposer of the amendment will give an authorship speech, and then an opponent speech will be given. Once that happens, more speeches may be given (alternating between proponent and opponent) and once done, a motion to move to previous question may occur, followed by an eventual vote, will occur, and if passed the legislation will be amended. If not, then the legislation will continue to be as it is. Once this process is done, debate on the legislation will continue.
Please not that the Speaker may decide whether or not, depending on the ammount of speeches, a move to previous question shall occur.
Vote: This is the vote on the resolution, bill, or proposition. A 2/3 vote is necessary for this to be passed.
Second: In order to move to a floor vote, one Congressman must Second the motion, meaning that they agree with the person. Then, a vote may occur.
Table [a Resolution/Bill]: This may ONLY happen during debates on a resolution/bill. When good and logical reasoning is given, this legislation may be tabled, meaning put aside for another time.
Motion: Attempt to enact something in the Congress not pertaining to legislation. Requires a majority vote, and may occur after an opponent speech when spoken of by the Speaker of the Congress.
Abstention: Refraining from or denying an action or practice. (Not voting either way)
Yea Vote: When voting, one must say Yea if they support the legislation.
Nay Vote: When voting, one must say Nay if they do not support the legislation.

Other Rules:
-If a congressman ends up using a time period not dedicated to speaking to push his/her view on a legislation, then the Congressman will be immidiately disqualified from the rest of the debate on the legislation.
-If the Speaker of the Congress states his opposition to a Congressional decision after it has been made, he will be immidiately warned by a Congressman. After 3 warnings, he will only be able to run things that are not really the Congress (although he will have some juristiction, but EXTREMELY mild), and another person shall be voted in as Speaker by the Congress assembled.

"How do you do? Some of the processes of the

Legislation:
All about Legislation.

The point of this Congress is to debate legislation pertaining to individual countries or the world, depending on the majority country (i.e. a majority of the country-specific legislation would be based on the US, or it could involve the entire world.)
The Legislations can pertain to taxes, war, heathcare, etc. that would be possible RIGHT NOW. Not some science-fiction legislation.
The debating will be more like that of the US Senate/House combined with the amusing harshness of the British House of Commons , while being different from regular WN debate. (Watch debates of the US Senate and House and British House of Commons to see how it works.)
Remember, this is legislation, whether it be Bills or Resolutions. It does NOT pertain to issues of common debate, although you may use actual legislation by a true government body.
We will also have something called a Proposition.
Each legislation will be read aloud by the Speaker of the Congress, and given a code, ie Resolution 1A, Proposition 1A, Bill 1A, as well as its name.

A bill makes the terms of the legislation mandatory.
A resolution is more of a guiding principal and establishes a strong foundation for future legislation and bills.
A proposition is a statement proposing a policy, ie forcing Kofi Annan to resign from Secretary General of the UN, with giving a few points.


The format for a Resolution is the following (BE SURE TO NUMBER! The bolding of Whereas only HAS to happen at the first one):

RESOLUTION NAME HERE

1. Whereas, fact/point. ("Evidence," using specific examples, is not required here, just basic facts.)

2. Whereas, fact/point. (List as many as you wish/deem necessary.)

3. And, whereas, final fact/point.

4. Be it resolved by this STV Congress assembled that _______.
(The _______ can include either: "the (Act or Operation) should be enacted by the _____ government, (etc)." or "the ___ government, (etc) should (do whatever the resolution is about)

If you are resolving to carry out an act/operation, add Contentions. These talk about what the act/operation would do.

Contention A:

Contention B:

Resolve again, adding a "Therefore" before the resolution
Therefore, be it resolved by this STV Congress assembled that _______.

If you feel that it is NECESSARY to add evidence, add it in the following format:

This Congress, now assembled, offers forth the following evidence:

-----------------------------

BILL NAME HERE

1. Whereas fact/point.
2. Whereas fact/point.
#. And whereas, final fact/point.
#. Be it resolved by this STV Congress assembled that _______.
(The _______ can include either: "the (Act or Operation) should be enacted by the _____ government, (etc)." or "the ___ government, (etc) should (do whatever the resolution is about)
For an Operation/Plan
#. Section 1: Plan
Continue numbering for each following line. End by saying the therefore statement again
23. Therefore be it resolved that _____.

Respectfully submitted,

Congressman _____ _____.[/quote]

The format for a Proposition is the following:
(This will be when you only have to make a statement and give a few points.)

PROPOSITION NAME HERE
Be it resolved that (insert Proposition here)
Contention A:
Contention B: (etc)


Membership Questions:
Answer these questions for membership. You will be HIGHLY considered.

1. STV Name, Name (real or fictional)
2. Political Party.
(Note: This could be any party, from any country. All that will be necessary to provide would be a description of the party, if you are the first to represent that party.)
3. Why you should be allowed to join.
4. What country you would wish to represent, and what state/province of the country would you like to represent.

Congress Members:
Republican Party:

Leader/Speaker of the Congress: Republican_Man; James O'Reilly; Colorado, USA
Second Leader:

Democratic Party:
Leader: Link, The Hero of Time; Franco Zani; New York, USA
Second Leader:

Libertarian Party:

Leader: LightningBoy; Dan Moritz; Minnesota, USA
Second Leader:

Liberal Party:
Leader:
Second Leader:

Independents:

Socialist Workers Party
Leader: Seven of Nine; Danni Matzk; England
Second Leader:

Islamic Values Democratic Party
Leader:

Party Internationale

Leader: Zeke Zabertini; Ezekiel Edwardo Zabertini; though he does not represent a particular region so much as he does the ideals of his party, his residence is in Rochester, Minnesota in the United States of America.


STV Congress Staff:
Hitchhiker; Hitchhiker; Congress Artist


Debate Rules:
Subject to Change and Additions
1. After a "Motion to Move to Previous Question" has passed, a vote on the resolution will occur.
2. A 2/3 vote is required to pass a resolution, bill, or proposition.
3. A majority vote is required to pass a motion.
4. Each Congressman has ONE vote.
5. The vote of Speaker of the Congress counts as 1.5 votes when there is a tie.
6. When the Administrator General is in session and there is a tie in the votes, the Administrator General can break that tie with a 2-vote vote.
7. Debates must be clean. They can be mildly attacking in manners such as that of the British House of Commons, but no brutal attackings, etc.
8. WN rules MUST be followed in debate, as this a WN-juristicted event.
9. A Debate session MUST last for at least an Authorship speech and opponent to the Authorship speech AND a proponent and other opponent speech in order for a vote to occur.
10. A Debate is limited to, unless the Speaker deems it need be longer, 8 to 10 speeches per side. That would mean 16 to 20 total.
11. Legislation may be tabled with a majority vote.
12. If a Congressman deems that a rule should be added or changed, a Proposition may be made to change this rule. Keep in mind that Rule 8 and the fact that RM can be the only Speaker of the Congress can NOT be changed.
13. Filibusters are NOT allowed.
14. Each party may have a logo, but it MUST include a comm-badge background.
15. If you do not wish to be a Congressman but wish to work for the Congress as a staff member, doing worthy jobs, you may submit the following application:
A. Username; Name that you will go by
B. What staff job you would like to have.
C. What you can contribute/the purpose of that job. (ie logos)
16. "Real-world" legislation must take precedence in the Legislation Committee.
17. When voting, a Congressman will "use" a "Datapad."
THE DATAPAD (Made by ION Computers):


Congress House and Congress Chamber:





ENJOY! Go debates!

[Republican_Man]

Alright folks, here are a few ground rules for acting out:
A. POST IN THE PRESENT TENSE!
B. When posting, the following is the recommended format:
When you are doing an action, type something in this format: [::Congressman Johnson walks onto the platform::]
When you are speaking, type something in this format: [Hello, fellow Congressmen.]


--------------------AND SO IT BEGINS!--------------------

::Republican Congressman and Speaker of the Congress James O'Reilly walks to the Central Platform in the middle, and takes his proper seat. He leans into the microphone.::
This Congress is now in session. I cristen the FIRST STV CONGRESS! Each Congressman in attendance, in response to the Roll-Call Vote, say Yea (aye)!

[Puck]

Yea.

[Valathous]

"Yea," Congressman Vigneault says from his microphone.

[Arellia]

The congresswoman from California laces her fingers expectantly and murmurs, "Yea."

[Leo Wyatt]

Congresswoman from Georgia says'' Yes, and lets gets started I am ready

[LightningBoy]

Congressman Moritz of Minnesota: "Yea"

[Founder]

The Congressman from Louisiana cleared his throat. "Yea."

[lionhead]

Dutch representative grabs his mic "Yea."

[Jeremy]

"Aye!" says congressman Watt.

[Link, the Hero of Time]

*fumbles with the microphone* "Aye!" says Congressman Zani

[Pah-Wraith]

*Taps Microphone to test it* "Aye!" Congressman Ibn Al-Filibini says on the Mic.

[CJ Cregg]

The congressman from the state of Vermont steps up to speak

"Yea"

[Republican_Man]

((I put "(aye)" to show that that's what it sounds like, not how it's said. Use Yea, not Aye ))

The Congressman from Colorado stood up. "This is sufficient. We will begin with any motions. Are there any motions on the floor?"

[Elladan]

* Elladan affixes something to the mic
* a deep humming through the hall

In a thunderous voice:
"Yea!"

[Republican_Man]

"Seeing as there are no motions on the floor, let's get started with the first discussion. Activate the projector."

::A staffmember activates the projector, displaying two pictures::


&


"We will now vote on which of these images should be the STV Congress logo/flag. This is a majority vote, and at least 15 members must vote, so please, do so. Which do you choose? A staff member will hand out special Pocket PCs, called DataPads. In these DataPads you will input your choice on VOTE 1A. Not Resolution, Bill, or Proposition, but VOTE 1A. Choose image ONE or image TWO. From this time forward, you will ALWAYS use your DataPad to vote. Legislation will be uploaded to your Pad for you to vote on each"

::The Speaker chooses his vote for image ONE on the list of three choices (ONE, TWO, and Abstention) and presses "enter"::

THE DATAPAD (Made by ION Computers):

[Arellia]

Syd leans back in her chair and examines the pad a moment, curious over its design in spite herself. Looking briefly over the two images, she selects the first logo and replaces the device on her desk.

[LightningBoy]

Congressman Moritz takes his datapad, and promptly begins playing Texas Holdem' Online....

Afterward he votes image #1.

[Scapegoat Bob]

We pick up the pad and fight over who gets to push the buttons. We let personality # 54 do it. She votes for the first one.

[Link, the Hero of Time]

::Congressman Zani Curiously examins every facet of what the datapad can do and even some things that it wasn't supposed to do.

After hours of playing around with the datapad and increasing function by 80%, He votes for choice one.::

[lionhead]

::Congressman Joey picks up his Datapad and exmaines the pictures thoroughly. After staring at them for an Hour he Picks out Image 2 and puts the Datapad back.::

[Leo Wyatt]

'' Congresswoman Debra studies the datapad carefully and then sets it down. She selects the first image

[Jeremy]

::Jeremy picks up the pad, and then enters choice number two.::

[Pah-Wraith]

*Yahya picks up the Pad and after examining the two pics, he decides to select image 2*

[Micteth-Son of Udas]

Congressman Canary picks up his data padd, selects image number one and sets his padd and sets it back down.