End Racism in Federal Contracting Act (Failed)

[bore]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Sponsor: Deus

[TNF]

This isn't actually about ending racism, it's entirely about lowering wages. I motion to table this anti-labor bill.

[Cranberry]

In my opinion, this would just make the whole thing "more racist", if you want so. By employing minority workers you have to pay less, you exploit them by virtue of their "race".

I second the motion.

[windjammer]

Can someone explain me what is this bill?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Atlasia doesn't have the Act referred to in this Bill.

I support the motion to table.

[Poirot]

Atlasia doesn't have the Act referred to in this Bill.

Isn't there a presumption that laws exisitng before Atlasia was created are in Atlasia? That Atlasia diverge from the US after it was created. 

[bore]

Senators, a vote on the motion to table is now open.

[windjammer]

Nay,

I believe every bill should be debated except those that are clearly unconstitutional.

[Deus Naturae]

Nay

Nay,

I believe every bill should be debated except those that are clearly unconstitutional.

How is this unconstitutional?

[windjammer]

Nay

Nay,

I believe every bill should be debated except those that are clearly unconstitutional.

How is this unconstitutional?

Precisely this isn't unconstitutional, that's why I'm voting against the motion to table

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Siding with Windjammer on this one.

NAY

[Cranberry]

Aye

[TNF]

Aye

No use debating a bill that won't pass.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Nay

[bore]

Abstain


Also the motion to table has enough votes to fail, senators have 24 hours to change their vote.

[bore]

The motion to table has failed.

[windjammer]

What is the Davis-Bacon Act?
And what do you consider this piece of legislation as racist?

[TNF]

Motion for a final vote.

[Deus Naturae]

The Davis-Bacon Act was a piece of labor legislation from the 1930's requiring that all workers employed on Federal public works projects be paid the "prevailing wage" for their area. The purposes behind this legislation were twofold: 1) Protectionist construction unions (which consisted mostly of skilled workers) wanted to protect their members against less-skilled workers who were willing to work for less, and 2) Racists wanted to price black workers (who were often less skilled and willing to work for less than their white counterparts) out of the labor market by mandating that the government pay wages that would require them to hire skilled white union workers. Here is a good article detailing Davis-Bacon's racist origins and regressive effects. Repealing this shameful relic of Atlasia's past would be a boon for poor, low-skilled workers (many of whom are black) by allowing them to be find employment, gain skills, and earn a living.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

This is relevant now?

[bore]

Deus seems to be making an Oldies style argument, which even if he's right about the origins of the act, is completely irrelevant to the bill now, although it's not even clear this bill still applies.

If the act still applies though I simply cant see how it's a bad thing.

[Cranberry]

If the act still applies though I simply cant see how it's a bad thing.

Same here - even if it had some racist backgrounds, by now it has just turned into a sensible practice - why should government choose the "cheapest" version over the fairest?

[TNF]

Because MUH FREE MARKET

[Cranberry]

Since debate here does not seem that intense, and it's not even clear if this bill even applies, and I see no worth in keeping this on the floor any longer than necessary, I guess I'll second Senator TNF's motion for a final vote.

[windjammer]

Thirded