Establishment of Congressional Committees (Everyone Read Latest Post)

[tmthforu94]

It has been noted already - the level of activity and attention to detail in this Congress has been very underwhelming. In order to help address this concern, I am establishing four congressional committees. Each committee will deal with a "big issue" that needs to be discussed in Atlasia.

The four committees:
- Budget
- Health Care
- Gun Reform
- Education

If there is real interest from several members in creating another committee, I'd be open to it, but it is important that we don't spread ourselves to thin. This does not limit ourselves to just these bills - we'll still be discussing already introduced legislation - this is simply a process to encourage activity and create collaboration among legislators. You're able to participate in committees other than your own, though if you're doing that, I expect that you're already actively contributing to the one you're in.

Each committee will have a Chair and will have 3-4 members. They will be tasked with debating the issue and discussing specific proposals. By the end of July, each group (excluding budget, who may need more time) should have a minimum of one bill introduced tackling the issue.

To avoid having 12 members in one committee and 1 in the other, I ask that each Senator/Representative rank the four committees in order of preference and PM them to me by Sunday night! Hopefully everyone will be assigned to their first or second preference. Please indicate if you're willing to serve in multiple committees as well.

Questions are welcome.

Responses Received from:
Senators - Goldwater, Blair, JoMCar, Pingvin, Goldwater, Smith
Representatives - Classic, Haslam, evergreen, NeverAgain, ClarkKent, evergreen, Haslam,

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

1. budget
2. healthcare
3. gun reform
4. education

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

1) gun reform
2) budget
3) healthcare
4) education

[Prince of Salem]

1. Budget
2. Gun Reform
3. Education
4. Health Care

[Goldwater]

Guys, this isn't how PMs work.

[Pingvin]

[1] Budget
[2] Education
[3] Healthcare
[4] Gun reform

[tmthforu94]

I have received preferences from all senators. Still waiting from JCL (who likely won't due to his wedding) and Dar.

[Leinad]

Guys, this isn't how PMs work.

PM = "Public Message"

[Former Senator Haslam2020]

I have received preferences from all senators. Still waiting from JCL (who likely won't due to his wedding) and Dar.

he's having a wedding? wow, if you're reading this, congrats!!

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

Guys, this isn't how PMs work.

PM = "Public Message"

well actually the relevant meaning is "post meridiem", which means i did it right

[tmthforu94]

Alright, after receiving responses and some feedback, we will not be proceeding with an education committee and instead have a committee for criminal justice reform. We had less interest in healthcare so it has less members, but if anyone else has a desire to be on another committee, you are welcome to join it. I'll never discourage folks from being too involved.

I am encouraged by the responses we have gotten - I encourage each committee to get started ASAP and designate a chair and set a schedule. While it is the primary responsibility of the assigned members to generate ideas and produce legislation for the committee, others are welcome (and encouraged!) to also chime in. Hopefully this will not only increase our interactions with each other, but also with our constituents.

Listed below are the committees. If a thread hasn't been opened yet for your committee when you read this, please take initiative and get it started!

Gun Reform: Smith, Goldwater, Classic, evergreen, NeverAgain, JoMCar
Healthcare: Blair, ClarkKent, Dar
Budget: Tmthforu94, Haslam, JoMCar, Pingvin, NeverAgain, Blair
Criminal Justice Reform: NeverAgain, Tmthforu94, JCL, Blair

[Leinad]

How come the Federalists have a majority in both houses of Congress, but Labor has a majority in half of these committees, and the Federalists only have a majority in one?

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

How come the Federalists have a majority in both houses of Congress, but Labor has a majority in half of these committees, and the Federalists only have a majority in one?

mostly because neveragain and blair are in three committees each, i think

[tmthforu94]

How come the Federalists have a majority in both houses of Congress, but Labor has a majority in half of these committees, and the Federalists only have a majority in one?

Because I was the only Federalist who stepped up and offered to be in multiple committees and I'm not going to restrict others' activity just because of their party affiliation.

If other Federalists want to get involved in other committees (or anyone, for that matter), they are welcome to do so. I'm not in the business of playing politics with these committees. My goal is to generate healthy debate and quality legislation which are essential components for this game to be successful in the long-term.

[NeverAgain]

How come the Federalists have a majority in both houses of Congress, but Labor has a majority in half of these committees, and the Federalists only have a majority in one?

Do remember, that even if a Labor-dominated committee approves of a liberal bill, it has to pass both Houses. Even with this I will make it a goal (considering I am in 3 committees) to get unanimous approval from the committee before sending the bill to the House Floor.

[tmthforu94]

These didn't get off to an exciting start, but if there is interest, I'd like to continue.

New members of Congress - please PM me your committee preferences as soon as possible. Old members - I will assume you wish to stay on your current committees. If you wish to change, PM me. I'll post an updated list of the committees on Monday.

[tmthforu94]

S/O to the two new folks who have PMed me thus far. If there is no interest, we don't have to continue with these. I just think they can be used as a nice way to spur activity.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I hope the committees continue this session, but if they don't, I'd like to know ASAP so that I know how to proceed with the healthcare plan I'd like to get written up soon.

I'd urge our members to pick their committee assignments if they haven't already.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Bump...

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I'd ask the PPT if he could signify by the end of the week whether or not the committees will continue this session.  (I'm anticipating a rigorous debate for the healthcare overhaul plan I'm working on and I'd like to get something passed before the session ends, so I'd like to begin the drafting process as soon as possible.)

[Clyde1998]

I'd be happy to be on the healthcare committee.

[tmthforu94]

I'll go through preferencing later today and will hopefully post the committee assignments by this evening.

[tmthforu94]

All right, how does this look? I tried to come as close as possible to accomidate everyone's preference. Also mostly kept people from last sesion on the same committee.

Gun Reform: Classic, NeverAgain, JoMCar, DFWLibertyLover, Cris
Healthcare: Blair, ClarkKent, Clyde1998, Scott
Budget: Tmthforu94, JoMCar, Pingvin, NeverAgain, Blair, LLR
Criminal Justice Reform: NeverAgain, Tmthforu94, Blair, 118AZ

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I have no objections.

[NeverAgain]

I have no objections.