GREATER KANSAS CITY SUBURBAN CONFERENCE
STUDENT CONGRESS LEGISLATION
FALL 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. No-Fly List & Firearms
2. Eisenhower Doctrine
3. Plant-Based Alternatives in Public School Cafeterias
4. Production of Pennies
5. Electoral College
6. Voting Eligibility Test
7. High-Fructose Corn Syrup
8. Fossil Fuel Subsidies
9. Housing for Homeless
10. Medical Price Gouging
11. Cigarette Excise Tax
12. Prison Reform
1
A Bill to Prevent Those on the No-Fly List from Purchasing Firearms and Explosives
1. BE IT ENACTED BY THIS CONGRESS THAT:
2. SECTION 1:
All individuals on the No-Fly list will be banned from purchasing firearms
3.
and explosives.
4. SECTION 2:
The No-Fly list being the list that is run by the Terrorist Screening Center
5.
(TSC) and the TSA that keeps track of those not let on airplanes.
6. SECTION 3:
The Terrorist Screening Center will oversee and maintain this list.
7.
A. The TSC will be required to regularly update the list.
8. SECTION 4:
This bill will be implemented upon passing.
9. SECTION 5:
All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
2
A Resolution to Resume and Extend the Eisenhower Doctrine and Containment Policy for
Terrorist Threats
1. WHEREAS,
The Eisenhower Doctrine promised military aid to Middle Eastern
2.
countries facing communist threats; and
3. WHEREAS,
Kennan’s policy of containment succeeded in creating change in nations
4.
similar to those currently affected by terrorist threats; and
5. WHEREAS,
Another major threat has arisen in a similar fashion as the Communist
6.
Party; and
7. WHEREAS,
The Eisenhower Doctrine specifically brought aid to many struggling
8.
nations politically and helped Syria, Egypt, and the Suez Crisis; and
9. WHEREAS,
These terrorist threats are often hidden and deeply ingrained in nations
10.
similar to the Communist parties in the formerly affected areas; and
11. WHEREAS,
Increasingly, nations sponsor terrorism especially in the Middle East, such
12.
as the nations of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan; now,
13.
therefore, be it
14. RESOLVED,
That the Congress here assembled that the United States federal
15.
government will resume the Eisenhower Doctrine and Containment Policy
16.
against terrorist threats specifically in the Middle East.
“The Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957.” Milestones: 1953-1960. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Aug. 2016
“A Conversation with Kennan’s Biographer.” The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 28
Nov. 2011. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.
3
A Bill to Require Plant-Based Alternatives in Public School Cafeterias
1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
2. SECTION 1.
Schools will provide plant-based alternatives for meat, dairy, and egg
3.
based products sold in cafeterias.
4. SECTION 2.
Plant-based alternatives will be defined as options that fulfill the dietary
5.
guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture while
6.
containing no animal products or byproducts.
7. SECTION 3.
The majority of enforcement will be the responsibility of the United States
8.
Department of Agriculture; through which they will require the
9.
distribution of plant-based alternatives to public schools.
10. SECTION 4.
The United States Department of Agriculture and public schools will have
11.
one full year from the date of this bill’s passing to see through its
12.
enforcement.
13. SECTION 5.
All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
“Dietary Guidelines.” Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. United States Department of
Agriculture, 2015. Web. 26 Aug. 2016
“Final Rule: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the HHFKA of
2010.” Food and Nutrition Service. United States Department of Agriculture, 12 Aug. 2016.
Web. 26 Aug. 2016.
4
A Resolution to Halt the Production of Pennies in the United States
1. WHEREAS,
Pennies cost, on average, 1.7 cents per penny to produce 1 ; and
2. WHEREAS,
In 2013, taxpayers lost $105 million annually on the cost of production of
3.
pennies and nickels2 ; and
4. WHEREAS,
A currency that costs more to produce than it is worth is illogical and
5.
inefficient; and
6. WHEREAS,
There is no cheaper alternative to produce pennies; therefore be it
7. RESOLVED,
That the Congress here assembled halt the production of pennies and
8.
gradually phase them out of circulation; and, be it
9. FURTHER RESOLVED, That purchases now round up or down to the nearest nickel.
1
Prices, Thanks to Rising Metal. “Changing U.S. Coins Could Save Millions, but May Cost Businesses Billions.”
CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 11 Jan. 2016. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.
2 Ingraham, Christopher. “It Cost 1.7 Cents to Make a Penny This Year, and 8 Cents to Make a Nickel.” Washington
Post. The Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2014. Web. 23 Aug. 2016.
5
A Resolution to Abolish the Electoral College
1. WHEREAS,
The Electoral College has changed the outcome of the national vote in
2.
favor of the candidate with less supporters1 ; and
3. WHEREAS,
The Electoral College enforces the two-party system, and deflates the
4.
strength of minor parties and inflates the margin of the winning party2 ; and
5. WHEREAS,
California holds 55 electoral votes, 20% of the number needed to win the
6.
presidency, whereas states such as Wyoming hold significantly less
7.
power3 ; and
8. WHEREAS,
A national popular vote supports true democracy; and
9. WHEREAS,
The Electoral College shuts out the voting in many states in favor of so-
10.
called “battleground states,” where there is the possibility of an upset4 ;
11.
now, therefore, be it
12. RESOLVED,
That the Congress here assembled abolish the Electoral College in favor of
13.
a national popular vote.
1
“2000 OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS.” Federal Election Commission. State Elections
Offices, Dec. 2001. Web.
2 Berns, Walter. “Third Party Candidates Face a High Hurdle in the Electoral College.” American Enterprise
Institute, 1 Jan. 1996. Web.
3 Skelton, George. “Winner-take-all Electoral System Is a Loser for Democracy.” Capitol Journal. LA Times, 21 Jan.
2015. Web.
4 Billups, Andrea. “Nebraska May Adopt a Winner-Takes-All Electoral College.” NewsMax, 2 Feb. 2015. Web.
6
A Resolution to Establish a Test Regarding an Individual’s Eligibility to Vote
1. WHEREAS,
The quality of voters is decreasing in the United States; and
2. WHEREAS,
Most voters are simply unaware or uninformed as to how the government
3.
works in the United States1 ; and
4. WHEREAS,
A little more than 50% of Americans cannot name candidates for
5.
presidency2 ; and
6. WHEREAS,
Many people are making uninformed decisions3 ; and
7. WHEREAS,
Many people have a poor understanding of the way government works 4 ;
8.
and
9. WHEREAS,
These uninformed decisions are responsible for the inadequacy of current
10.
elected officials5 ; therefore, be it
11. RESOLVED,
By the Congress here assembled that the Federal government create and
12.
enforce a test deciding who can vote; and be it
13. FURTHER RESOLVED, To be eligible to vote, individuals must have a score of 70% or
14.
1
better in order to vote.
Gentile, Sal. “Are Bad Voters Like Drunk Drivers? New Book Says They Are, and That They Shou ld Stay Home on
Election Day.” PBS. PBS, 15 Apr. 2011. Web. 31 Aug 2015 <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-dailyneed/are-bad-voters-like-drunk-drivers-new-book-says-they-are-and-that-they-should-stay-home-on-electionday/8609/>
2 Shea, Christopher. “Is Voter Ignorance Killing Democracy?” Salon.com RSS. N.p., 22 Nov. 199. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.
<http://www.salon.com/1999/11/22/voter/>
3 Jones, Douglas W. “Problems with Voting Systems and the Applicable Standards.” Problems with Voting System
Standards. University of Iowa, 22 May 2001. Web. 02 Sept. 2015.
<http://homepage.cs.uiowa.edu/~jones/voting/congress.html>
4 Walker, Hunter. “A Shocking Number of Americans Don’t Know Basic Facts About the US Government.” Business
Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 19 Sept. 2014. Web. 08 Sept 2016. <http://www.businessinsider.com/poll -manyamericans-dont-know-basic-facts-about-government-2014-9>
5 Cafferty, Jack. CNN. N.p., 12 Apr. 2011. Web. <http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/12/should -basiccitizenship-test-be-part-of-voter-registration/>
7
A Resolution to Ban High-Fructose Corn Syrup From America’s Food & Medicine Supply
1. WHEREAS,
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has overtaken the use of cane sugar to
2.
sweeten commercially produced foods, beverages, and medicines; and
3. WHEREAS,
HFCS is used by companies to save money at the cost of America’s
4.
health; and
5. WHEREAS,
In particular, scientific studies show a more profound link to diabetes and
6.
heart disease; and
7. WHEREAS,
Females may be at even greater risk for the health and shorter life-span
8.
effects attributed to HFCS; now, therefore, be it
9. RESOLVED,
That the congress here assembled recommend that the Food and Drug
10.
Administration move to ban HFCS from foods and medicines produced
11.
both domestically and imported from abroad.
www.naturalsociety.com
www.mayoclinic.org
www.huffingtonpost.com
8
A Bill to Repeal Fossil Fuel Subsidies to Spur Green Energy Growth
1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
2. SECTION 1.
All of the $17.2 billion subsidies given to fossil fuel companies annually
3.
by the federal government will be retracted.
4. SECTION 2.
The money will be, instead, put toward the funding of green energy
5.
subsidies, to spur innovation and development in renewable energy
6.
technologies. The money may be used to create new programs or to
7.
bolster existing ones.
8. SECTION 3.
The Department of Energy will administer the implementation of this bill.
9. SECTION 4.
This bill will take effect upon the next fiscal year – October 1, 2017.
10. SECTION 5.
All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
9
A Resolution to Provide Housing for the Homeless
1. WHEREAS,
564,708 United States citizens are homeless and can’t afford housing; and
2. WHEREAS,
New trends of affordable, small housing options are becoming prominent;
3.
and
4. WHEREAS,
Communities of small homes for all homeless could be constructed for
5.
approximately $1.9 billion, provided there are three persons to a home;
6.
and
7. WHEREAS,
This is only .05% of the United States federal budget; now, therefore be it
8. RESOLVED,
By the Congress here assembled that the United States federal government
9.
ought to provide grants to local governments to build communities of
10.
small houses for the population that is homeless.
10
A Resolution to Protect American Consumers from Medical Price Gouging
1. WHEREAS,
“[In] 2001 [insulin] had the wholesale price of $45. By last year, the cost
2.
had skyrocketed to $1,447” for the same monthly supply1 ; and
3. WHEREAS,
“[The] cost of the EpiPen in the U.S. has risen from $100 to more than
4.
$600, according to medical literature and multiple pharmacies. In Canada,
5.
the cost for a single EpiPen is around $100 to $145 2 ;” and
6. WHEREAS,
In order to protect our constituents, we ought to end the economic
7.
exploitation of those who require medical care; and
8. WHEREAS,
It is unjust to charge exhorbitant prices for life-saving medication,
9.
especially medication that needs to be taken for chronic conditions; now,
10.
therefore be it
11. RESOLVED,
By the Congress here assembled that the Food and Drug Administration
12.
(FDA) negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies for medically
13.
necessary treatments on an annual basis.
1
Schneider, Andrew. “Insulin Price Spike Leaves Diabetes Patients in Crisis.” Montana Standard. The Montana
Standard, 27 Aug. 2016. Web. 01 Sept. 2016. <http://mtstandard.com/news/local/insulin -price-spike-leavesdiabetes-patients-in-crisis/article_74cd6b23-7d9d-5f36-9df0-9c72c5de9f1a.html>.
2 Mohney, Gillian. “EpiPen Price Hike Prompts Some US Families to Buy the Drug in Canada.” ABC News. ABC News
Network, 31 Aug. 2016. Web. 01 Sept. 2016. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/epipen-price-hike-prompts-usfamilies-buy-drug/story?id=41769704&scrlybrkr=bdd6bc4d>.
11
A Bill to Repeal the Federal Cigarette Excise Tax
1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
2. SECTION 1:
The federal cigarette excise tax of $1.01 per pack is hereby repealed.
3. SECTION 2:
States and municipalities are still free to impose tobacco taxes at their
4.
discretion.
5. SECTION 3:
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the United
6.
States Department of the Treasury will oversee the enforcement of this
7.
repeal.
8. SECTION 4:
This shall take effect immediately upon passage.
9. SECTION 5:
All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
12
A Resolution to Reform Federal and State Prisons
1
WHEREAS,
Federal and State prisons don’t adequately rehabilitate criminals ; and
2
WHEREAS,
Criminals in the United States are unable to successfully reenter society12 ;
3
4
and
WHEREAS,
5
6
bringing them back to a stable state of being; and
WHEREAS,
45% of Americans who had been to prison had a job eight months after
being released3 ; and
7
8
Rehabilitation refers to teaching a criminal to live a healthy life and
WHEREAS,
Restorative justice has proven to be effective in lowering incarceration and
9
recidivism rates; and
10 WHEREAS,
The incarceration rate in the United States is 716 of every 100,000
11
citizens; and
12 WHEREAS,
Norway has an incarceration rate of 75 of every 100,0004 ; and
13 WHEREAS,
Norway “has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world at 20%. The
14
US has one of the highest: 76.6% of prisoners are rearrested within five
15
years5 ;” now, therefore be it
16 RESOLVED,
By the Congress here assembled that the United States will reform federal
17
and state prisons to rehabilitate criminals and model Norway’s prison
18
system of restorative justice; and be it
19 FURTHER RESOLVED, That prisoners will be given health care, mental treatment and
20
1
therapy upon need and demonstrated necessity.
Carson, E. Ann, and William J. Sobel. “Prisoners in 2011.” BJS Bulletin, December 2012. NCJ 239808.
Maruschak, Laura M., and Erika Parks. “Probation and Parole in the United States, 2001.” BJS Bulletin, November
2012. NCJ 239686
3 Taube, Aaron. “Here’s What It’s Like For People Trying To Find A Job After They’re Released From Prison.”
Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 10 Oct. 2014. Web. 31 Aug. 2016. <http://www.businessinsider.com/gettinga-job-after-prison-2014-10>
4 Erbentraut, Joseph. “What The U.S. Can Learn From Prison Reform Efforts Throughout The World.” The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 10 Apr. 2015. Web. 24 Aug. 2016.
5 Sterbenz, Christina. “Why Norway’s Prison System Is So Successful.” Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 11
Dec. 2014. Web. 31 Aug. 2016 <http://www.businessinsider.com/why-norways-prison-system-is-so-successful2014-12>
2