2007-11-03 - Senate Business

This building is a wide, low circle of silver durasteel, overlooking itself with four floors of balconies. On every balcony flags of the Republic hang red and sharp next to flags from all over the galaxy and soft subtle light from hidden alcoves gives the place a feeling of quiet that it rarely sees.
Further back the balconies are supported by great heavy columns, obscuring the towering walls in shadow. The space is enormous: capable, at a glance, of holding more than a hundred thousand sentients comfortably. The balconies themselves are unfurnished.
Down the middle of the bottom floor a dark red carpet runs from the main entrance of the building, across the long floor to the foot of a well-lit white dias. Upon the dias is a light silver chair, and on its high back is the sigil of the Republic. Behind it a vertical slash of glass rises up like a wild brush-stroke to break the continuity of all four floors of the balcony: the building's only window.
The bottom floor descends in four circular steps, making a sort of stage of the lowest platform. This cylindrical recession is well lit with white lamps set in the step above it, and the red carpet spreads here to fill the circle in the center of the room.
Despite the building's size, it is always crowded. Senators and bureaucrats come and go from here at all hours of the day and night. Informal debate and political scheming fill the hall when legitimate government does not.
Looking a little huffed, the Honorable Senator Ksar Antilles of Corellia enters the Chamber. As always, several of Corellia's allied Senators descend on Ksar and begin talking. Antilles nods and nods again as he makes his way to the Corellian box. He seats himself and begins work at his terminal.
The computer chimes. "The Floor is open for debate. Senators may now stand and be recognized."
Meena Tills rises, a note-computer in one hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
"Members of the Senate," Meena Tills says, "I would like to begin by addressing Bill 11, which is currently under revision, the bill as it stands divided equally 95 worlds to 95."
He pauses, clears his throat.
"The Republic Navy is a critical institution. The most important accomplishment of the Republic has been to eliminate wars between member systems, to prevent piracy on the star lanes, and to regulate intersystem commerce. This is what the Republic is for. If it fails in these things, nothing else matters. And yet the Navy has been starved of funds in recent years, and needs to be brought to a footing on which it can fulfill its traditional mandate successfully!"
Meena pauses. "I have recently proposed a specific amendment to this bill, which I support, directing that recent finances of the Navy be audited. I have no reason to think that there are irregularities in the Navy's administration, but allegations to that effect have been made, and it is of course worthwhile to verify the integrity of Navy finances before large additional funds shall be allocated."
"These are my opening statements. I yield the floor for debate on amendment 11.2."
Bail Organa clears his throat and raises a finger.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
Bail Organa stands, and walks to the center of the room, his cane bobbing with every step. When he comes to a stop, he turns slowly to look at the assembled legislative body of the Republic, "My good Senators, I humbly voice my objection, which you well know, to Senate Motion 11. As I have always suggested, we must address corruption in governmental bodies _before_ we throw new funding at them. However..."
He pauses, and looks over to Meena Tills with a respectful nod, "While I do believe that this corruption and inefficiency must be addressed, and I grant my esteemed colleague from Mon Calamari must respect for his interest in seeing said issues redressed, I do not believe that Senate Motion 11.2 is a fine way to do it. Presently I am conducting my own investigations, but let us each investigate this matter, and let us appeal to the Republic Guard and the Republic Courts to investigate these matters themselves. Asking Lord Aravel to appear before the Senate would hardly be the proper course of action. Asking him to appear before a Senatorially Appointed auditor, however... might be wiser. We have our hands full with new laws. Let the Courts decide if the Navy is spending unwisely, and if they so decide, then let us appoint a new Supreme Commander in that event."
Bail Organa bows, and steps out of the center of the chamber, opening up the floor.
Antilles rises.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Corellia."
Antilles pauses a moment in consideration. "I ask my Honorable Friend from Alderaan why he believes calling the Supreme Admiral to account before this body is not a proper course. I believe these investigations my Honorable Friend is conducting are important. But do they get to the root of the problem or just treat the symptoms? I believe the Republic Navy's corruption is the result of sorely lacking leadership at the highest level. I yield the floor."
Meena Tills raises a hand asking for the floor back
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Meena Tills rises. "It seems to me that there are two points of view here: one which focuses on the need to fund Navy activities, and one which focuses on questions of propriety of leadership."
"Senators," he goes on, "surely a way can be found to ensure the one, while taking action on the other. I have numerous accounts here --" and he points to his notepad, "which have been submitted in testimony, that the Navy is unable to fulfill its mandate, and that smuggling and piracy is flourishing in important regions of Republic space. We cannot wait until a legal enquiry has been finished to make sure that the navy's ships are repaired! But we can expedite it. I temporarily grant the floor to Senator ORgana to answer the following question: "Could you, sir, support any bill to repair the Navy's ships? Under what circumstances would you vote in favor of such a bill."
"There is only one circumstance under which I would support such a bill," Senator Organa says, taking a step forward, "If such a bill does not require the requisitioning of new funds to the Navy! We have only recently passed into law a tax which might possible be able to begin funding such a Motion, and I believe the tax funds should first be put towards the eighty thousand credit deficit to aide Ord Mantell. I would support a bill commanding the Navy to use all available funds, minus the standard pay for all employees of the Navy who do not have another source of income, to repair their vessel from their current budget. But I will not agree to any increase in the Naval budget until the issues of corruption are addressed. Despite the damage to several ships in the Navy, we still command a war fleet more than capable of defending the Republic. For the systems in which piracy and smuggling is a problem, I would ask them to increase their own local security forces to help combat this issue."
Bail Organa bows and steps back.
Meena Tills inclines his head. "In short, you will oppose any bill to increase military funding," he says. "And yet I have a report from a major accounting firm, that indicates that the current naval budget is barely enough to sustain operations if no combat occurs."
He bows and seats himself, ceding the floor.
Antilles rises and turns on his mic. "I move for previous question. Let us vote on eleven point two now and then close it. There is no more to disucss on this bill. Let us vote and move on."
The computer chimes. "Is there a second?"
Meena Tills punches the button on his computer requewsting the computer to make a quorum call.
The computer chimes. "The Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari has suggest the absence of a quorum. The roll will be called."
Bail Organa, and more than fifty other Senators near him, all punch in on the roll.
Meena tells, and more than thirty senators n ear h im, also punches on the roll.
Bail Organa raises his hand while the roll is tallied.
The computer chimes. "The Honorable Senator from Alderaan is recognized."
"While we are at it, I see that the tally is 127 systems for 11.1, 0 against. This is enough to close voting on the amendment," Organa says, "I move that we close the debate on 11.1 as well."
"Point of order!" Meena Tills directs to the computer, "Motions m ust be considered separately."
The computer chimes. "The Motion to close 11.2 has failed. The Senate regognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Meena Tills says, "I move we vote to close on 11.1," Meena Tills says."
Bail Organa sighs. The Senators around the King of Alderaan look bored. Bail mutters, "My vote is in on that. Let's end the pointless debate." Several of the Senators around him nod their assent.
Tarkin enters by the western doors. One hand is tucked into the coat pocket of his formal suit and the other is holding a datapad. He reads the datapad as he wanders toward his seat.
Bail Organa motions with his hand to Senator Tarkin, nodding to the man. He mouths 'a word?'
Tarkin looks up from his reading and returns the nod. He tucks the datapad into his pocket and approaches the senator from Alderaan.
Bail Organa leans over to Senator Tarkin, and says softly, "I have heard about your donations to the Jedi Order. You have my thanks. I am not a fan of military production in general, but the Jedi are the greatest and most honorable protectors of this Republic."
The computer chimes. "The Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari has the floor."
Bail Organa puts in, "We are presently voting to end the debate on 11.1 and 11.2."
Meena Tills says, "Previous question on motion 11.1."
Tarkin smiles warmly, "As I have said many times before, the Jedi are stretched thin. I will do what I can to alleviate that strain."
The computer chimes. "There is a motion to end debate on motion 11.1."
Tarkin pulls out his datapad and punches something in. The datapad transmits a signal to the ballot box.
The computer chimes. "The Motion carries. Debate will continue on Motion 11.2."
Bail Organa nods and asks Tarkin softly, "What do you think of the Republic Naval spending? I have informed sources who are helping me build a case that may alleviate some of the spending issues."
Meena Tills raises a hand
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Meena Tills says, "IO move to temporarily suspend debate on Senate Moltion 11 to debate SEnate Motion 19."
The computer chimes. "Is there a second?"
Antilles stands. "I demand we continue debate on 11.2. This issue must be decided."
Tarkin considers the question. He answers carefully, "The Navy needs relief. Officers and crews are receiving pay late or not at all and the ships are breaking down."
Bail Organa nods to Tarkin, but looks back to the Senate floor, "I agree. Let us resolve Motion 11.2!"
Bail Organa raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
Tarkin shakes his head, "Right now the Republic Navy is a non-factor across the Universe. Most pirate gangs can outperform it and I mean that literally."
"I have voted against Motion 11.2, a losing vote, and yet I wish the debate to end. Be reasonable, Senator Tills! 11.2 is a non-issue, and you can surely see that from the votes on Motion 11. End the debate," Organa says simply.
Meena Tills raises a hand
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Meena Tills rises. "The funding for the navy is too important for the matter to be elft to an even division of the Senate! IF there is any way to obtain at least funds to repair the ships, that you can agree to, or at least ... a few of the most broken-down ships ... I must seek a compromise!"
Bail Organa raises his hand.
Meena Tills says, "Senators, do you intend to leave the Navy in its current state?" I yield the floor."
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
"The Motion, in any form which increases Naval Funding, is ludicrous. A moot point! We do not have the budget for such an increase. I will agree to reconsider such a Motion at such time that we have paid down our eighty thousand credit deficit to the relief aide of Ord Mantell, and have the money in the budget to move forward. Until such time, I will not put our Republic deeper in debt!" Organa says, standing, "The only compromise is a compromise which commands the Navy, in its current budget, to make neccessar repairs. Anything else will be legally impotent."
That said, Bail sits again.
Senator Antilles signals he wishes to speak.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Corellia."
"I implore my Honorable Friend from Mon Calamari! Let us vote. This motion is dead. We can move forward and craft something all Senators can agree to. Please Meena!" Antilles pleads.
Meena Tills rises and sighs. "VEry well. But this issue is not dead. I shall raise it again at the first opportunity."
Tarkin's eyes dart between the various debating senators. He frowns but says nothing.
The computer chimes. "The Floor is now open for debate on Motion 19.4."
Meena Tills Rises, hand in the air.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Bail Organa leans back in his chair and sighs. He turns to Tarkin, and shrugs slightly, "Senator Tarkin, I might even agree with you that the Navy funds must be increased. But first, I believe it is absolutely neccessary for the Navy to clean up it's act. Throwing credits at a problem never solved anything. As the President of SFS and Merr Sonn industries, I am sure you are aware of that."
More than a few in the Corellian box audibly groan.
"Senators," Meena Tills says quietly, "I have offered more than one amendment to this bill, because on the face of it I find it deeply flawed. It proposes to allow a commission of only one hundred senators to determine membership in this body, with no recourse for a minority or even a majority of the whole Senate who finds an irregularity in a world's application of membership. I have offered each of the amendments I have proferred to this bill in order to alleviate this flaw in various ways. Motion 19.4 is intended to allow a minority on the Senate the right to at least raise issues of illegality if they are not properly represented on the committee. If world membership is not to be considered before the full Senate, as the bill in its current form requires, this provision is particularly critical!"
Tarkin answers the shrug with a wry smile, "Efficiency is key to any business, especially security. The Navy must be audited and soon. What is more, the Navy needs clear protocols for dealing with situations." He glances toward the Senator from Mon Calamari, "the commanders have no clear protocol to limit their autonomy."
Meena Tills sits down
Bail Organa raises his hand, and stands.
Meena Tills makes a motion on his keyboard, perhaps changin a vote
"Honorable Senators, I simply urge you to read the Motion. The entire comittee will be arbitrated by a Judge of the Republic, and the Five Permanent Members have veto power, able to be exercised if illegality is the case. In any case, it has never been the purpose of this body to judge whether an action is illegal or not, but to make laws. Let the Courts decide what is illegal!" Bail says, with frustration, "We cannot be both legislative and judicial, or we will be mired in more beauracracy than the Courts!"
Meena Tills raises a hand, but with a sign indicating he will only tkae the floor after any other senator wishes to speak.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Meena Tills says, "I will point out to the honorable Senator from Alderaan that this Senate intruded itself in judicial matters when it voted the guilt of Amalfiel, and that that was a far greater intrusion than this Senate having a voice in seating its own members, which is part of the powers of every legislative body of which I am aware! If this senate cedes that power to the courts, then it is no longer a sovereign body, but is in fact under the supervision of the Supreme Justice! However, it is clear that this particular provision is not supported by this body. I wish to vote for this bill, but not as it stands, where there is no provision for Senate seating of its own members, so I hope some of my other provisions will be supported that will address this concern. I move the previous question on this amendment."
The computer chimes. "Is there a second?"
"The Motion to close Motion 19.4 has passed with 149 of the 126 required votes. The Floor is now open for debate on Motion 19.3."
Meena Tills raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Tarkin's eyebrows rise. He quickly enters something into his terminal.
Meena Tills seems perturned as he rises. "This provision addresses another aspect of this bill that I find objectionable. As it stands, this bill will make five Senators into permanent arbiters of membership, with inordinate influence on the process of determining world membership, and NO LIMITS ON THEIR TERMS. This effectively turns five Senators into permanent judicial officers, and as such I find it fundamentally at odds with the principal that all Senators should have an equal voice in matters of fundamental concern to this senate.
Meena Tills seats himself.
Bail Organa raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
Bail stands, "This body has never been sovereign _of itself_. There are two Towers of the Palace of Coruscant, and two main bodies which together make up the sovereigty of the Republic. The Republic is soveriegn. The Senate, on its own, is not, and has never been. This motion aims to make a body which is cooperative between these two bodies, that admits new soveriegn members into it. Now... the Five Permanent Members would be in place, by a majority vote of the Senate, to insure the varied interests of this Senate. They would have more power, but not more power on the Senate. I would hope that, in voting these Senators into their positions, we would choose not a monopoly, but a group of Senators with varied interest. I, for example, was thinking of nominating my esteemed and somewhat vocal opponent in the Senate, Ksar Antilles-- and the Senator from Merr Sonn, who is the Executive of two munitions companies. Everyone knows my stance on militarization, but both of these men are shrewd, and represent different interests in the Republic. I stand by the Permanent Member clause."
Bail Organa sits.
Tarkin chuckles and raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Merr Sonn."
Tarkin rises from his seat and surveys the chamber. He makes a sweeping gestures and jests, "Five munitions companies, Senator Organa." Several senators from his bloc laugh, "But that is not the issue for debate. I believe that such seats could prevent misuse of the bill, but as the bill its written these positions could themselves be misused. Perhaps if the five seats with veto power had term limits and there were provisions for impeachment it would be acceptable. A central authority will create efficiency, something the senate is known to be lacking, but we cannot risk corruption to create efficiency. There must be checks on whatever power the senate creates!" He sits.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Corellia."
Antilles rises in the Corellian box. "I find this entire motion to be pointless. The Senate already has the authority and responsibility to admit new systems into the Republic. I fail to see the reasoning why my Honorable Friend from Alderaan wishes to _fix_ what has worked for hundreds of generations. Let us vote and close 19.3 quickly so that we may get to the heart of the matter!"
Bail Organa raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
The computer chimes. "The Motion to close Motion 19.3 has passed. The Floor is open to debate on Motion 19.2.1."
Bail Organa stands, "I would be amenable to an amendment that limits the term lengths. However, it appears that the amendment was defeated. If it will win support for the motion as a whole, though, I will give support to term lengths on the Permanent seats."
Bail Organa adds...
Bail Organa says, "You all know my stance on 19.2.1. This whole motion is rather worthless if it passes."
Bail Organa sits.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Corellia."
"I agree with my Honorable Friend on this amendment. 19.2 and 19.2.1 are pointless and redundant. The Senate already has the power to approve new systems joining the Republic. But the entire motion threatens what has worked for thousands of years. Lets us move on."
SENATE: Motion 19.2.1 Withdrawn
Meena Tills raises a hand
The computer chimes. "Motion 19.2.1 has been withdrawn from consideration. The Senate recognizes the Senator from Mon Calamari."
"Senators," the senator from Mon Calamari says, "I find some merit in the overall proposal, in that it provides for a system in which applications for membership will be thoroughly vetted. But if this process is to substitute for the traditional power of the Senate to seat its own members, I concur with the Senator from Corellia: it is dangerous and completely without merit. If this amendment passes, I will be able to support this bill. If it fails, my vote against it shall stand." He seats himself.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Corellia."
Antilles stands. "I agree with my Honorable Friend from Mon Calamari. This admendment is critical to my approval of the motion as a whole. if this amendment fails, I cannot support 19 at all. I yield the floor."
Bail Organa raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
The Senator of Shili enters the chamber innocuously with only two of her retinue, one leading and one trailing. They make their way to the designated spot for Shili where the rest of Senator Ohl's retinue already is.
"As I have maintained, 19.2 would make the whole motion a moot point. It would 'declaw' it, as they say," the Senator says, "I would encourage everyone to vote against 19.2. If they do not, the Motion is itself only a body to make recommendations, which is equivalent to more datapad work, and little else. I am talking about the establishment of a legal body with legal force, which _does_ change how our government works. That is all."
Bail Organa sits.
Meena Tills raises a hand. "I move the previous question."
Antilles signals. "Seconded. Lets us vote 19.2 one way or another, close it, and move on."
Bail Organa raises his hand.
The computer chimes. "The motion to close Motion 19.2 has failed to gain enough votes. The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Alderaan."
"I will not agree to close this motion. Where is the esteemed Senator from Thyferra? I know that the has interest in this amendment! I move that we table further discussion of Motion 19 until such time as the Senator from Thyferra may present his views on the matter," Bail says simply.
Bail Organa sits.
Meena Tills raises a hand
The computer chimes. "The Senate recognizes the Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari."
Meena Tills says, "I move that this devate on 19 be tabled and that the Senate have a rec3ess of one hour for SEnators to get their meals."
Antilles seconds.
The computer chimes. "The Honorable Senator from Mon Calamari has moved to table debate on 19.2 and the motion has been seconded. All in favor?"
Meena Tills raises a hand in favor
Bail Organa says, "Aye."
The computer chimes. "Opposed?"
"The ayes have it. Debate on 19.2 is tabled. The Floor is now open for debate on Motion 19.1. Senators may stand and be recognized."
Meena Tills says, "Point of order!"
Meena Tills says, ""I also moved a one hour recess!"
Bail Organa chuckles, "If the computer will provide all Senators with their lunches or table discussion, then we won't order the Senatorial Guard to open fire on it!"
The computer chimes. "A recess has been called."
Tarkin chuckles at Bail's comment.
Continued in Senate Business (II).
Category:November 2007 RP Logs