HB 2016-1030 - End Relations With Saudi Arabia Act (WITHDRAWN)

[NeverAgain]

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Sponsor: Dfwlibertylover

I open this up for a 48-hour debate period

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Can the SOS please give a report on how this bill will effect current oil prices and the oil trade in Atlasia along with  the fight against terror groups in the Middle East. I am most concerned about potential economic and safety concerns  that may arise  from this bill. If their are no major negative economic or safety consequences that arise from this bill then I will be happy to support it.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

With all due respect, Mr. Representative, what is this bill trying to accomplish? If there is a relationship between the complaints leveled in Sections 1 through 3 and the solution proposed in Section 4, I am afraid I do not see it.

As Secretary of State, I cannot support this bill, for the simple reason that it ignores how international relations actually work. The administration is not unaware of Saudi Arabia's human rights record, nor has Saudi incalcitrace in the war against ISIL escaped us. The way to improve this situation is to use our relationship with Saudi Arabia to pressure the House of Saud to enact meaningful policy changes. Severing diplomatic ties in a show of moral righteousness accomplishes nothing; if it did, North Korea would be a thriving democracy rather than the communist backwater it has remained since the end of the Korean War.

If you want an example of how authoritarian regimes can successfully transition to democracy, look to Myanmar, where the resumption of diplomatic relations with Atlasia in 2012 led to the first free multi-party elections in decades. Foreign policy is a process: we are unlikely to see dramatic change overnight, but given time, persistence and dedication reap rewards. I have much more faith in the steady progress of diplomacy than in self-reighteous resolutions that only drive the world further away.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Thank you for responding Mr. Secretary of State. I feel this bill sends a clear message to Saudi Arabia that they need to cease their flagrant violations of civil rights AND their general funding of anti-American groups ( such as Islamic State) along with their continued meddling to attempt to influence the Shia vs Sunni sectarian conflicts that continue to flare up as a result of said meddling.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Based on SOS Trumans comments and the fact none of the concerning aspects have been resolved, I will be opposing this bill. 

[Clyde1998]

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I've made some significant changes to the act. I've made it a motion, rather than a bill, and I've deleted a substantial amount of the text.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Amendment is unfriendly, it completely changes the purpose and text of the bill. I would however accept an amendment to change this from ending relations to ceasing funding of Saudi Arabia and the selling of weapons to Saudi Arabia.

[NeverAgain]

Okay, let's have a 48-hour voting period on Clyde's amendment.

Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain on Clyde's Amendment to HB - 1030

[Clyde1998]

Aye

[NeverAgain]

Aye.

[LLR]

Aye

[Pragmatic Conservative]

Aye

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Aye

[Terry the Fat Shark]

NAY

[Terry the Fat Shark]

I withdraw sponsorship from this bill.

[Clark Kent]

AYE

[Terry the Fat Shark]

and so I am withdrawing the bill, I realize now that "ending relations" is a bit too much, I will be drafting another bill in the next couple of weeks which makes my intentions more clear and I hope to work with Secretary of State Truman to help get this rolling.

[NeverAgain]

This thread is now closed, as the bill has been withdrawn.