Lloth

Attacks on players on LOA for inactivity are inappropriate, ignore the purpose of the LOA, and will be disallowed.

14 hours ago, MrAnderson said:

For Immediate Release

 

HmL Baudin Caves Under Criticism from Mark Anderson 

Just hours after criticisms arose regarding GOP leadership shutting down House committees over a refusal to put members on the committee, HmL Baudin caved to pressures to stop the stunt. The criticism came largely from Rep Mark Anderson (D-OH), in which he had begun to publicly call for Republican colleagues to put pressure on the leadership to force their hand. Baudin's decision comes after questions arose of whether the decision to slow down committees comes from a concerted strategy, or from the laziness and incompetence that claimed the GOP led Congress best illustrated by Charles Fong's tenure in the foreign affairs committee. Now, thanks to intervention by the press, Republicans, and Democrats like Anderson, the GOP leadership has finally appointed committee members and allowed the House committees to begin their work. 

 

As this is a follow up to a previously disallowed PR, it is also disallowed.

15 hours ago, MrAnderson said:

For Immediate Release

 

GOP Abandons Committees, Continues Longstanding Trend 

Congressman Mark Anderson (D-OH) has publicly condemned the GOP leadership's decision to drag their feet on committees and ensure the House remains unproductive. In the prior Congress, GOP-led committees failed due to Republicans' decision to abandon them, most famously illustrated by Charles Fong's decision to shut down Foreign Affairs in order to campaign. Now, GOP leadership is dedicating its time to rallies against the President rather than allowing Congress to do the job they were elected to do. 

 

"I am deeply disappointed, as I am sure many Republicans are, by the continued opposition from Republican House leadership to the democratic process in House committees. What could possibly warrant this hatred of the committee process that has consumed the Republican leadership? I cannot understand what statement the GOP Leadership is trying to send. Unless this is pure laziness," Representative Anderson said. "I hope to see internal pressure from Republicans to correct this continued problematic stance towards the way our very democracy works. The American people elected us to do a job. The least the GOP can do is show up." 

 

Congressman Anderson is a proud supporter of American democracy, and supported GOP amendments to committees in order to break this trend. Those attempts from Republicans to warrant leadership interest in committees have, so far, failed. 

((It's absolutely BS I had to do this. My formal complaint still stands))

The HmL has made the case successfully to the CA and the AB that they were specifically tagged to unexpectedly provide a new appointment list while on LOA.  As previously noted, attacks for inaction on members while on LOA are not permitted.

The PR is disallowed.

4 hours ago, Thyne said:

@Lloth

 

This may have been posted elsewhere, but, how will cabinet nominations be handled in terms of potential affects on Senate composition? I.e. something like the nomination of John Breaux (D) with Mike Foster (R) in the governor's mansion. 

Good question.

As Senator Breaux is not a player character Governor Foster would get to appoint a replacement. As the Governor is a Republican in this case, he would probably appoint a Republican to fill the seat.

Louisiana law then specifies that a special election would be held to select a successor to fill the balance of the term. In Senator Breaux's case, that would be until early 2005.

WASHINGTON -- The following response was received by our INS reporter when he inquired of the Speaker's Office about committee assignments.

Q: I was under the impression the GOP had posted their committee members well before the rules passed. Were they disallowed, and if so, why?

A: Jackie Spencer (Sutherland's Press Secretary): Those assignments were prior to the content of the committees being changed. We have new committees with vastly different portfolios, therefore new assignments were required. Democrats were required to do the same thing as well.

2 minutes ago, MrAnderson said:

 

(On an announced LOA, the assistant leader/whip has the power of the HmL. Am I to understand that all GOP leadership took LOA?)

You attacked Baudin specifically while on LOA. Feel free to make sure the whip was not on LOA and attack them if you wish, but attacking a member on LOA doesn't fly.

3 hours ago, MrAnderson said:

For Immediate Release

 

GOP Abandons Committees, Continues Longstanding Trend 

Congressman Mark Anderson (D-OH) has publicly condemned the GOP leadership's decision to drag their feet on committees and ensure the House remains unproductive. In the prior Congress, GOP-led committees failed due to Republicans' decision to abandon them, most famously illustrated by Charles Fong's decision to shut down Foreign Affairs in order to campaign. Now, his running mate HmL Baudin has decided to follow suit, dedicating his time to rallies against the President rather than allowing Congress to do the job they were elected to do. 

 

"I am deeply disappointed, as I am sure many Republicans are, by the continued opposition from Republican House leadership to the democratic process in House committees. What could possibly warrant this hatred of the committee process that has consumed the Republican leadership? I cannot understand what statement the Minority Leader is trying to send. Unless this is pure laziness," Representative Anderson said. "I hope to see internal pressure from Republicans to correct this continued problematic stance towards the way our very democracy works. The American people elected us to do a job. The least Mr. Baudin can do is show up." 

 

Congressman Anderson is a proud supporter of American democracy, and supported GOP amendments to committees in order to break this trend. Those attempts from Republicans to warrant leadership interest in committees have, so far, failed. 

HmL Baudin was on LOA. Disallowed. Try again.

1 hour ago, Thyne said:

Not that anyone was or should have been waiting.... but I'm back! 

We've been waiting for you.

Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee and Arlen Specter are cosponsoring SB 13, the Uplift Working Americans Act of 2001.

The legislation would, if passed, revoke the right of states to pass "Right to Work" laws.

The wire is two way. If you have any questions for INS Washington Bureau Chief Tony Vincenzo, post them here. Just keep in mind that everyone on the service sees them.

58 minutes ago, Key said:

Committee chair mods please

Okay, Chair mods from Jahnson to you. Done.

An unofficial statement from the Chambers of Commerce of the United States indicates that multiple conference calls are ongoing, but a statement in opposition is expected this evening. In addition, several groups of businesses, including the automatkers of Detroit, are expected to open their own war chests to oppose the bill.

Business is at a disadvantage, however, in that under the current contributions laws, Unions have an edge in contributing hard money to Congressmen.

Reports from undisclosed sources indicate that the Unions are prepared to open their War Chests and provide substantial contributions to Democrats, and more substantial to Republicans, that support HR30, the Workers' Rights Act of 2001. Those same sources note the Unions can not openly make such an offer as such a "quid pro quo" would be in violation of several Federal Laws.

Detroit automakers are conferring in light of their various union contracts and the recent movement out of Michigan to get away from what one official described as "highly militant UAW locals that will strike for any reason, authorized or not."

The wire is bits of pieces of news which may be of interest for additional attention by player media. Player media are encouraged to add tidbits they become aware of as well; just include the media of origin so other publications using your information can properly credit you (and the Media Admin knows where it originated for whatever payment they see appropriate).

Union Support Workers Rights Act of 2001

WASHINGTON(AP) -- In a nearly unprecedented gathering of Labor Unions, they spoke with one voice today endorsing the Workers Rights Act of 2001.

James Hoffa of the Teamsters spoke for the group at a press briefing. "It is unfortunate and unfair that, in union workplaces, non-union members may benefit from the work of the unions, but are not obligated to contribute anything in return under 'Right to Work' laws. Ultimately, that leads to the destruction of unions and of collective bargaining, as why would anyone pay for what they do not have to, no matter how much they benefit from it?"

"HR30, the Workers Rights Act of 2001, simply redresses that unfairness. "

Executive Order -- Ammedning the Executive order Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors
EXECUTIVE ORDER #2
- - - - - - -
 Ammendment to Executive order 1

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Executive Order 1 of January 20, 2001, as amended, is further amended by:

(a) revising the effective date in section 3a September 30, 2002

(b)revising the effective date in section 3b to January 1 2002

(c)revising the effective date in section 7ai and section 7aii

to January 1 2002 

What is your opinion on the President's Executive Order #1?

Government Contractors to be Required to Give Paid Sick Leave

WASHINGTON(AP) -- In an Executive Order issued unannounced, the President Saturday ordered that all future contracts would include a provision for paid sick leave for employees of the contractor, and that the same provision would be passed on to subcontractors.

The Executive Order, revealed by the Vice-President in a press release this morning, goes into extensive detail. Included among the conditions for which the paid sick leave can be used is caring for family or dealing with "domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking".

Contractors are scrambling to deal with the new Executive Order, as it covers all contracts solicited or otherwise awarded contracts after January 1, 2001.

Full text of the Executive Order is below:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including 40 U.S.C. 121, and in order to promote economy and efficiency in procurement by contracting with sources that allow their employees to earn paid sick leave, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy.

This order seeks to increase efficiency and cost savings in the work performed by parties that contract with the Federal Government by ensuring that employees on those contracts can earn up to 7 days or more of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave allowing for family care. Providing access to paid sick leave will improve the health and performance of employees of Federal contractors and bring benefits packages at Federal contractors in line with model employers, ensuring that they remain competitive employers in the search for dedicated and talented employees. These savings and quality improvements will lead to improved economy and efficiency in Government procurement.

Sec. 2.

Establishing paid sick leave for Federal contractors and subcontractors. (a) Executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall, to the extent permitted by law, ensure that new contracts, contract-like instruments, and solicitations (collectively referred to as "contracts"), as described in section 6 of this order, include a clause, which the contractor and any subcontractors shall incorporate into lower-tier subcontracts, specifying, as a condition of payment, that all employees, in the performance of the contract or any
subcontract thereunder, shall earn not less than 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

(b) A contractor may not set a limit on the total accrual of paid sick leave per year, or at any point in time, at less than 56 hours.
(c) Paid sick leave earned under this order may be used by an employee for an absence resulting from:

(i) physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition;
(ii)diagnosis, care, or preventive care from a health care provider;
(iii) caring for a child, a parent, a spouse, a domestic partner, or any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship who has any of the conditions or needs for diagnosis, care, or preventive care described in paragraphs (i) or (ii) of this subsection or is otherwise in need of care;or (iv) domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, if the time absent from work is for the purposes otherwise described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this subsection, to obtain additional counseling, to seek relocation, to seek assistance from a victim services organization, to take related legal action, including preparation for or participation in any related civil or criminal legal proceeding, or to assist an individual related to the employee as described in paragraphobtaining

(iii) of this subsection in engaging in any of these activities.

(d) Paid sick leave accrued under this order shall carry over from 1 year to the next and shall be reinstated for employees rehired by a covered contractor within 12 months after a job separation.
(e) The use of paid sick leave cannot be made contingent on the requesting employee finding a replacement to cover any work time to be missed.
(f) The paid sick leave required by this order is in addition to a contractor's obligations under 41 U.S.C. chapter 67 (Service Contract Act) and 40 U.S.C. chapter 31, subchapter IV (Davis-Bacon Act), and contractors may not receive credit toward their prevailing wage or fringe benefit obligations under those Acts for any paid sick leave provided in satisfaction of the requirements of this order.
(g) A contractor's existing paid leave policy provided in addition to the fulfillment of Service Contract Act or Davis-Bacon Act obligations, if applicable, and made available to all covered employees will satisfy the requirements of this order if the amount of paid leave is sufficient to meet the requirements of this section and if it may be used for the same purposes and under the same conditions described herein.
(h) Paid sick leave shall be provided upon the oral or written request of an employee that includes the expectedofleaveduration

the

, and is made at least 7 calendar days in advance where the need for the leave is foreseeable, and in other cases as soon as is practicable.

(i) Certification.

(i) A contractor may only require certification issued by a health care provider for paid sick leave used for the purposes listed in subsections (c)(i), (c)(ii), or (c)(iii) of this section for employee absences of 3 or more consecutive workdays, to be provided no later than 30 days from the first day of the leave.

(ii) If 3 or more consecutive days of paid sick leave is used for the purposes listed in subsection (c)(iv) of this section, documentation may be required to be provided from an appropriate individual or organization with the minimum necessary information establishing a need for the employee to be absent from work. The contractor shall not disclose any verification information and shall maintain confidentiality about the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking unless the employee consents or when disclosure is required by law.

(j) Nothing in this order shall require a covered contractor to make a financial payment to an employee upon a separation from employment for accrued sick leave that has not been used, but unused leave is subject to reinstatement as prescribed in subsection (d) of this section.
(k) A covered contractor may not interfere with or in any other manner discriminate against an employee for taking, or attempting to take, paid sick leave as provided for under this order or in any manner asserting, or assisting any other employee in asserting, any right or claim related to this order.
(l) Nothing in this order shall excuse noncompliance with or supersede any applicable Federal or State law, any applicable law or municipal ordinance, or a collective bargaining agreement requiring greater paid sick leave or leave rights than those established under this order.

Sec. 3.

Regulations and Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Labor (Secretary) shall issue such regulations by September 30, 2016, as are deemed necessary and appropriate to carry out this order, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with the requirements of 40 U.S.C. 121, including providing exclusions from the requirements set forth in this order where appropriate; defining terms used in this order; and requiring contractors to make, keep, and preserve such employee records as the Secretary deems necessary and appropriate for the enforcement of the provisions of this order or the regulations thereunder. To the extent permitted by law, within 60 days of the Secretary issuing such regulations, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall issue regulations in the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide for inclusion in Federal procurement solicitations and contracts subject to this order the contract clause described in section 2(a) of this order.

(b) Within 60 days of the Secretary issuing regulations pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, agencies shall take steps, to the extent permitted by law, to exercise any applicable authority to ensure that contracts as described in section 6(d)(i)(C) and (D) of this order, entered into after January 1, 2017, consistent with the effective date of such agency action, comply with the requirements set forth in section 2 of this order.
(c) Any regulations issued pursuant to this section should, to the extent practicable and consistent with section 7 of this order, incorporate existing definitions, procedures, remedies, and enforcement processes under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.; the Service Contract Act; the Davis-Bacon Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.; the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. 13925 et seq.; and Executive Order 13658 of February 12, 2014, Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors.

Sec. 4.

Enforcement. (a) The Secretary shall have the authority for investigating potential violations of and obtaining compliance with this order, including the prohibitions on interference and discrimination in section 2(k) of this order.

(b) This order creates no rights under the Contract Disputes Act, and disputes regarding whether a contractor has provided employees with paid sick leave prescribed by this order, to the extent permitted by law, shall be disposed of only as provided by the Secretary in regulations issued pursuant to this order.

Sec. 5.

Severability. If any provision of this order, or applying such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 6.

General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) This order shall apply only to a new contract or contract-like instrument, as defined by the Secretary in the regulations issued pursuant to section 3(a) of this order, if:

(i) (A) it is a procurement contract for services or construction;
(B) it is a contract or contract-like instrument for services covered by the Service Contract Act;
(C) it is a contract or contract-like instrument for concessions, including any concessions contract excluded by Department of Labor regulations at 29 CFR 4.133(b); or
(D) it is a contract or contract-like instrument entered into with the Federal Government in connection with Federal property or lands and related to offering services for Federal employees, their dependents, or the general public; and

(ii) the wages of employees under such contract or contract-like instrument are governed by the Davis-Bacon Act, the Service Contract Act, or the Fair Labor Standards Act, including employees who qualify for an exemption from its minimum wage and overtime provisions.
(e) For contracts or contract-like instruments covered by the Service Contract Act or the Davis-Bacon Act, this order shall apply only to contracts or contract-like instruments at the thresholds specified in those statutes. For procurement contracts in which employees' wages are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act, this order shall apply only to contracts or contract-like instruments that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, as defined in 41 U.S.C. 1902(a), unless expressly made subject to this order pursuant to regulations or taken under section 3 of this order.
(f) This order shall not apply to grants; contracts and agreements with and grants to Indian Tribes under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-638), as amended; or any contracts or contract-like instruments expressly excluded by the regulations issued pursuant to section 3(a) of this order.
(g) Independent agencies are strongly encouraged to comply with the requirements of this order.actions

Sec. 7.

Effective Date. (a) This order is effective immediately and shall apply to covered contracts where the solicitation for such contract has been issued, or the contract has been awarded outside the solicitation process, on or after:

(i) January 1, 2001, consistent with the effective date for the action taken by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council pursuant to section 3(a) of this order; or
(ii) January 1, 2001, for contracts where an agency action is taken pursuant to section 3(b) of this order, consistent with the effective date for such action.
(b) This order shall not apply to contracts or contract-like instruments that are awarded, or entered into pursuant to solicitations issued, on or before the effective date for the relevant action taken pursuant to section 3 of this order.

3) Coordination Limits(the maximum a national campaign committee may spend on behalf of and in coordination with a federal Candidate).

A) Only the National Party Committee may coordinate spending with a Presidential campaign.

B) Coordination limits apply to all National Party Committees together. (The House and National Committees together may not spend more then $10,000 on an Alabama House Race, for example).

C) The House Party Committee may not coordinate spending on a Senate race, and the Senate Party Committee may not coordinate spending on a House race.

2) Contribution Limits to House, Senate, and Presidential Campaigns.

A)For Presidential campaigns, the primary and general election are considered to be a single election. If a Presidential candidate is accepting public financing,  only the contribution limits to a Candidate Committee apply.

B)For contribution purposes, the House, Senate, and National Party Committees are considered to be separate.

C)The Party's House Committee may only spend on House Candidates. The Party's Senate Committee may only spend on Senate Candidates.

1) Definitions

A) Hard Money - Contributions by an individual, PAC, political party(through its PACs),  or 501c organizations with the intent of electing or reelecting a specific person to office. The size of such contributions are limited by Federal Law. Spending by an organization that is coordinated or clearly intended to elect a specific candidate falls under this definition as well.

B) Soft Money - Independent and/or uncoordinated political expenditures made by 501(c) and 427  organizations, or individuals other then the candidates and the political parties. Such spending may advocate specific views and general advocacy, as well as general "get out the vote" campaigns.

C) Campaign Committee - Organization which receives contributions for the election of a specific candidate. It may make appropriate expenditures in support of the candidate's election, and may make some contributions to PACs or candidates in accord with FEC rules and restrictions.

D) PAC - A Political Action Committee accepts soft money contributions on behalf of an individual, candidate, political party, or organization. A PAC may make hard money contributions in accord with Federal Law. 

E) 501(c) - A nonprofit organization, named after a provision of the Internal Revenue Code. Various subgroups exist for individual purposes. Generally, a 501(c) organization may lobby and provide general information for the public on controversial issues or for the general welfare.

F) 427 - A nonprofit organization, named after a provision of the Internal Revenue Code, intended to promote the general welfare.

G) Unlawful Contribution or Expenditure - this term shall apply to any contribution to, or expenditure by, a Campaign Committee or PAC from or to a source prohibited by law, in excess of FEC limits, or which can not be properly documented.

H) FEC - The Federal Elections Commission, a bipartisan committee which regulates campaign financing. For game purposes, this shall consist primarily of the K Street and Election Admins, although the remainder of the AB may also be included.

I) Affiliated - refers to any PAC which is operated by a political candidate or political party.

J)Party Committee - A party's National, Senate, or House Committee dedicated to election of members of their party.

K)Contributions - donations of cash, goods, and/or services. Contributions of $100 or more in value must be made by check or other written instrument.

L)Unaffiliated - refers to a PAC which is not operated by a political candidate or political party. For game purposes, this option is only available to pure media players.

M)Election - for purposes of these regulations, each of the following is an election: primary election, general election, special election, caucus or convention with authority to nominate

N)Coordinated Expenditure - an expenditure made by a national party committee on behalf of a federal candidate in coordination with their campaigns. This can not be given directly to the campaign, as that would be a contribution.

7 minutes ago, Fisher said:

(Torres thanks the bartender and engages in banter)

 

"Thanks man. What are your thoughts on this whole House rules thing going on back at the hill?"

She merely smiles. " Nothing personal, Congressman, but on the clock, it is best not to have a political opinion."

3 hours ago, Fisher said:

Torres arrives and sits down at the bar.

 

"A glass of Jack on the rocks with a dash of water, please." 

"Very good, Congressman." Your order arrives quickly in a somewhat unconventional glass.

(The actual order includes 1 LG, spherical ice cube)

Supplemental to 4th Quarter 2000 District Contributions to War Chest

Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20) $10,278

Lisette Egidia Tran(D-OR-1) $12,065

Ms. Tran, Mr. Sutherland, your Approval Ratings have been updated.