Research Worthy Topics(Prelims)
**Basically all the legislation deemed worthy of research by Izzy, Jaylen, and Aaron
-All Bills are assigned! Please Check to see which ones you have been assigned
1. A Bill to Abolish Plea Bargaining(Aaron Henry)
A Bill to Abolish Plea Bargaining
BE IT ENACTED BY THE STUDENT CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
Section 1. The United States justice system will hereby eliminate plea bargaining.
Section 2. Plea bargaining will be defined as negotiation of agreement between a criminal defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead "guilty" or "no contest" to certain crime(s), along with possible conditions, in return for reduction of charges in terms of severity, in return for dismissal of reduction of charges, or in return for some other benefit or condition agreeable to the defendant.
Section 3. The US Department of Justice will oversee implementation and enforcement.
SECTION 4. The Department of Justice will reduce the practice of plea bargaining incrementally for a period of three years, to begin immediately upon passage. By the end of the three-year period, plea bargaining will be entirely abolished.
Section 5. All other laws in conflict with this new policy are hereby declared null and void.
Respectfully submitted by Ariana Bagherian of American Heritage School at Boca Delray
A Bill to Privatize NASA(Jaylen Pearson)
1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
2 Section 1. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
3 shall no longer be funded by the federal government.
4 Section 2. All subsidiaries and components of NASA shall be sold to
5 private investors and companies.
6 Section 3. Progress on the dismantling and reallocation of NASA’s
7 assets and funding shall be overseen by Senate Subcommittee on
8 Science and Space.
9 Section 4. This law will take effect within two fiscal years of passage.
10 Section 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared
11 null and void.
Introduced by Michael Averell of Cary Academy
A Resolution to Abolish Refugee Assistance(Chen Huang/Iskar Smith)
1. WHEREAS: The United States currently gives two hundred million dollars in refugee
2. assistance; and
3. WHEREAS: Refugees do not pay taxes to the United States government; and
4. WHEREAS: The United States is also currently fourteen trillion dollars in debt; and
5. WHEREAS: The United States needs to make drastic budget cuts to get its financial
6. house in order; and
7. WHEREAS: Instances in which the United States Government does spend money
8. should go to directly benefit the American tax payer.
9. THEREFORE: Be it resolved by this Student Congress here assembled that: The
10. United States Government abolishes all funding of refugee assistance.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chen Huang
City Center Academy
A Resolution to Dismantle WikiLeaks(Aaron Henry)
1. Whereas: Hundreds of thousands of classified, confidential cables were released by
2. WikiLeaks last year; and
3. Whereas: Wikileaks is facing one of its worst financial dilemma’s since its startup; and
4. Whereas: An estimated 95% of WikiLeaks’ annual revenue has been retracted; and
5. Whereas: Julian Assange, president of WikiLeaks has pronounced that if he isn’t given
6. essential funds by the turn of the year, WikiLeaks will not continue to publish
7. secret documents.
8. THEREFORE: Be it in resolved by this Student Congress here assembled that: The U.S. and its allies work to facilitate the dismantling of WikiLeaks.
Respectfully submitted,
Aaron Henry
City Center Academy.
City Center Academy.
A Resolution To Eliminate the Use of Solitary Confinement(Jaylen Pearson)
1 Whereas: Solitary confinement is widely recognized as a form of torture; and
2 Whereas: solitary confinement is a widely applied measure of prisoner
3 control in most American prisons, and
4 Whereas: solitary confinement has extreme and painful effects on the
5 human mind that in some cases cannot be cured, and
6 Whereas: prisoners who are at risk to others can still be provided with
7 a modified right to human interactions,
8 Therefore, be it resolved by this Student Congress here assembled that:
9 solitary confinement be prohibited from further use in any prison in
10 the United States.
A Resolution to Stop Unlawful Detentions(Iskar Smith)
1
Whereas, Secure Communities has led to disproportionate deportations of Latinos; and,
2 Whereas, recent changes made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have
3 not stopped human rights violations from happening; and,
4 Whereas, multiple governors have found fault with Secure Communities,
5 Therefore, let it be resolved by this Congress, that federal funding for Secure
6 Communities will cease; and,
7 Let it be further resolved that all laws in conflict with this piece of legislation are
8 hereby declared null and void.
Respectfully Submitted,
Taylor Michael
Convent of the Sacred Heart, CT
A Resolution to Replace Welfare With Private Charities(Jaylen Pearson)
WHEREAS, the five-year limit established by President Clinton’s Welfare plan can be avoided in many ways, such as by receiving welfare money from local funds rather than federal funds; and
WHEREAS, approximately 30% of all welfare recipients are products of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and
WHEREAS, illegitimate births cost taxpayers $2.2 billion in welfare and food stamps each year; and
WHEREAS, 60% of all teens who become pregnant are living in poverty; and
WHEREAS, Teen mothers have a 50% chance of becoming dependent on welfare; and
WHEREAS, private charities can individualize their approach to the circumstances of the impoverished in a way that government cannot, by reducing or withholding benefits from recipients who do not change their behavior, or by offering counseling; and
WHEREAS, private charities provide a safety net, rather than a way of life; now, therefore be it
Resolved by the Congress here assembled that the United States government establish a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions to foundations created for the purpose of either aiding the impoverished of the US or for the purpose of decreasing the number of out-of-wedlock pregnancies or teen pregnancies in the US.
A Resolution to address Turkey and Israel(Iskar Smith)
1. Whereas: The current relations of Turkey and Israel have been strained because of actions
2. of both parties to each other; and
3. Whereas: The United States relations with the Middle east have been staggered due to
4. recent conflict between Turkey and Israel; and
5. Whereas: If no action is taken place to remedy these relations and our relation to this
6. region, dire consequences will occur.
7. Therefore: Be it resolved by this Congress here assembled: that the United States set up
8. third party talks between Turkey and Israel where we shall be the third party
9. mediators.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jay Daniel Gusman
Dominion High School
A Bill to Start a Government Run Voucher Program(Aaron Henry)
Be it enacted by Student Congress assembled that:
Section I. The United States Government should create a voucher program for students
Section II. This program will consist of fifty (50) members who will process the applications
Section III. Each accepted student will receive $12,000 to use to go to a private, religious, or charter school of their choice.
A. Will be adjusted each year to the cost per child in school.
B. Will be provided to the student for the rest of their high school career
Section IV. Each state will be allowed 10,000 applications to be processed at the federal level and 5,000 will be chosen at the federal level.
Section V. Students must meet the qualifications in order for the application to be processed
A. Must make less than or under the poverty guideline
B. Must have a GPA of or over 3.5
C. Must be in or entering the grades ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth.
Section VI. This bill will be enacted January 1 of 2012
Section VII. All other laws dealing with this will be null and void.
Respectfully Submitted,
E.L. Meyers High School
A RESOLUTION TO FURTHER THE ADVANCEMENT OF
NON-EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH(Aaron Henry)
WHEREAS: Non-embryonic stem cell research (from here on NESCR) has already made some outstanding findings in the field of genetics research
WHEREAS: NESCR has the potential to help thousands of people with genetic disorders
WHEREAS: embryonic stem cell research has ethical and moral dilemmas facing it that NESCR does not
WHEREAS: NESCR does not have adequate funding in any capacity,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ESTABLISHED: That NESCR will have a 100 million dollar per year fund by the U.S. Treasury on top of the 300 million dollars per year that was funded in 2010 by private groups and the government
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: this funding will take place up to the next ten (10) years, or as seems fit by the National Institutes of Health.
Respectfully Submitted,
Fordham Preparatory School
A Resolution to Abolish the Debt Ceiling(Iskar Smith)
WHEREAS, The Debt Ceiling causes periods of uncertainty for the United States government and economy,
WHEREAS, Raising the Debt Ceiling wastes time and increases partisan divide,
WHEREAS, the Debt Ceiling is redundant, therefore,
LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Debt Ceiling shall be abolished and Congress shall be able to borrow money unrestrained, and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that all laws in conflict with this piece of legislation are declared null and void.
Respectfully Submitted,
Fordham Preparatory School
The Palestinian Sovereignty Act(Aaron Henry)
WHEREAS, Palestine has a proper and just claim to sovereignty and statehood,
WHEREAS, the United State’s support of a two-state solution is vital to solving the Israel-Palestinian conflict,
LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the United States shall recognize Palestine as a full and legal state within 30 days of such recognition by the United Nations and United Nations General Assembly, and
LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that all laws in conflict with this piece of legislation or that prevent the recognition of Palestinian statehood are declared null and void.
Respectfully Submitted,
A Resolution to Increase Stability(Jaylen Pearson)
1. Whereas, The United States is often alone in a multi-polar world, and
2. Whereas, this is a harmful to the US’s national interests, and
3. Whereas, Often, the most beneficial allies to the US are of varied government
4. types and views and,
5. Whereas, The United States often faces entrenched opposition from around
6. the world and, therefore,
7. BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States shall aid any group or movement
8. committed to replacing an enemy of the US with a newfound ally, whatever
9. the means necessary to ensure this transition, and
10. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States shall aid any current
11. leader, willing to ally with the United States, regardless of electoral status.
12. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Department of Defense in conjunction with
13. the six Joint Chiefs of Staff shall regulate such aid.
A Resolution to Make the United States Electoral System Representational(Courtney Gainey)
Whereas: the United States of America and a handful of other democracies in the world currently operate on a winner take all electoral system
Whereas: the voice of the people and the value of smaller parties are not represented in our current political system.
Whereas: Let the United States abolish the current electoral voting system, and instead install a proportional representation, so that all votes are counted.
Whereas: Let this system apply to all 50 states, instead of a seldom few, as it does now.
Whereas: This system will better represent all Americans and let more candidates offer new ideas in contrast with the current two-party system.
Therefore it should be Resolved: That the United States elect its representatives based on proportional representation rather than a winner-take all state wide electoral system.
Respectfully Submitted,
LaSalle College High School
A Bill to Sponsor Microfinance in West Africa(Chen Huang)
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
Section 1. The United States’ government will reallocate $100 million from current USAID funds going towards Egyptian military aid. This $100 million will instead go towards NGOs sponsoring microloans in Niger.
Section 2. NGOs will be defined as non-governmental organizations. Microloans will be defined as loans for less than $10,000.
Section 3. A. This bill will be overseen by USAID.
B. Any NGO found to be abusing funding will have to pay back lost funds.
SECTION 4. This law will take effect within six months of passage.
Section 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
Introduced by Loyola School
A Resolution to Expand the Discretionary Budget of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)(Jaylen Pearson)
Whereas: The current administration’s policy has made insufficient space in the budget or any long term plans for the agency and
Whereas: The expansion of American interests in the scientific community and
Whereas: private business ventures are not yet capable of shouldering the burden of leading America in the space community.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: by the Student Congress here assembled that
The United States expand the discretionary budget of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Over the next five years, allowing business to mature and ready to share the load of leading America in space
A Resolution to Increase Sanctions on Syria(Iskar Smith)
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | Whereas: The current status of Syrian protests has not changed since they began; and Whereas: Syria’s current government continues to repress its people; and Whereas: The demands of the protesters have not been met; and Whereas: Syria has engaged in widespread human rights abuses; and Whereas: An international sanction would have more impact than an unilateral sanction by the United States Therefore be it resolved that: The United States government petition the United Nations Security Council for stronger sanctions upon the country of Syria. Respectfully Submitted, Pennsbury High School |
A Resolution to Close All Military Bases in Non War-Zone Areas(Jaylen Pearson)
1. WHEREAS, The United States is currently spending
2. unnecessary amounts of money overseas, and
3. WHEREAS, This expenditure has only exacerbated the
4. economic downturn which plagues Americans today; and
5. WHEREAS, American money could be better spent on
6. domestic stimulus; now, therefore,
7. BE IT RESOLVED, By this Student Congress here
8. assembled that all military bases that are not in current
9. war zones be put out of commission for the time being, and
10. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that military bases may be
11. reopened only if the Department of Defense recognizes
12. the base’s location as “threatened” or a “war zone”
Afghan Equity Act Of 2012(Aaron Henry)
1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
2. SECTION 1. The US shall allocate 375 million dollars to fund for
3. infrastructure development in the country of Afghanistan.
4. SECTION 2. The money will be sent to sectors including Road, Water, and 5. Electrical, each run by hired Afghan entrepreneurs. The 6. entrepreneurs will be subject to tests run by the US military to 7. make sure they are legitimate and safe.
8. SECTION 3. A. Infrastructure shall be defined as the system of public works 9. of a country, state, or region and also the resources (as
10. personnel, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity
11. B. Entrepreneurs shall be defined as individuals or corporations
12. who organize and manage any enterprise, especially a business,
13. usually with considerable initiative and risk.
14. SECTION 4. This law will take effect within six months of passage.
15. SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared
16. null and void.
Introduced by Ridge High School.
A Bill to Repeal Corporate Taxes in America(Courtney Gainey/Chen Huang)
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 | BE IT ENACTED BY THIS CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED: Section I: The federal corporate tax system shall be abolished and replaced with a 25% value-added tax applicable to all companies, corporations, conglomerates, and all other business-related entities that operate within the United States for a time period of at least five years. Section II: Value-added tax shall be defined as a consumption tax placed on a product whenever value has been added during manufacturing, production, or distribution. Section III: This law shall be enacted by the Department of the Treasury under the jurisdiction of the Internal Revenue Service in conjunction with the Department of Commerce. Section IV: This law shall take effect on October 1st, 2014, upon the start of the new fiscal year. Section V: All other laws in conflict with this bill will hereby be declared null and void. |
Introduced by Evan Wescott
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School
A Resolution in Support of Economic Affirmative Action(Aaron Henry)
1.
Whereas: Affirmative Action first appeared in Executive Order 10925, which
2. was signed by President John F. Kennedy on March 6, 1961 and,
3. Whereas: Affirmative Action was created in order to combat discrimination
4. here in the United States and,
5. Whereas: Economics has become the true discriminating factor here in the
6. United States and,
7. Whereas: Studies show that people who don’t attain post-secondary
8. education, earn less in a lifetime then people who do and,
9. Whereas: Colleges and Universities currently compete to be the most racially
10. diverse without regard to economic background
11. Be it Resolved: This Congress shall encourage all Colleges and Universities to
12. eliminate their current practice of Affirmative Action and replace it with an
13. Economic Affirmative Action admissions plan.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shrewsbury High School
A Bill to Promote Fiscal Responsibility(Iskar Smith)
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
Section 1. The United States shall reduce its deficit with both spending cuts and tax increases.
A. The mandatory spending cuts implemented by the Budget Control Act of 2011 shall be eliminated.
B. The Department of Defense (DOD) budget allocations shall be reduced by $75 billion each year for three years, after which funding will continue at $300 billion each year.
C. The top bracket tax rate on personal income shall be increased to 38%.
D. Taxable income shall be redefined to include income from capital gains, and the separate capital gains tax shall be discontinued.
Section 2. A. The top bracket tax rate refers to the tax rate placed on income in the highest tax bracket.
B. Capital gains are profits made from the sale of an investment.
Section 3. This bill shall be carried out by the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury.
SECTION 4. A. Section 1A of this bill shall be effective immediately.
B. Section 1B of this bill shall be implemented beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, and cuts shall continue through FY 2016.
C. Sections 1C and 1D of this bill shall be implemented beginning in FY 2013.
Section 5. All laws or sections of laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void
Introduced by,
Max Liebeskind
Stuyvesant High School
A Resolution to End the War on Terror(Jaylen Pearson)
WHEREAS, In 2001, Congress passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) Against Terrorists, which authorized the President to use force “against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001”; and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned AUMF is used as justification for the President’s use of force both in Afghanistan and in “counter-terror” operations elsewhere (except Iraq); and
WHEREAS, If Congress issued a resolution ending such authorization, the President, under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, would have 90 days to end such operations; and
WHEREAS, Military counter-terror operations do more harm than good to the United States; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Congress here assembled that the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists is terminated; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the President has authorization to maintain troops and use force in Afghanistan, for nation-building and/or counter-insurgency efforts, until he has deemed the country sufficiently stable to withdraw all troops.
Introduced by Jeremy Majerovitz,
Stuyvesant High School
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