Senate Procedure for introducing a bill & The internal opposition Campaign to the AEB
Todd Fernandez
I'm rushing this - but I hope this clarifies the matter.
First, the argument of course is a subterfuge for the generalized campaign against the AEB and our work, and the typical DNC-focused scare tactic that we should not pressure friends during an election cycle.
This leads us EVERY 2 years to miss out on the incredible power we have during the election cycle, and takes away the importance and value of the election cycle as the time where the peoples voices matter most. THIS IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AT WORK, and we have been brainwashed to think OUR ISSUES do not deserve FULL ATTENTION at this time. By buying into this - we are AGREEING that we are an embarassment and that support of our dignity should be relegated to backroom negotiations. This has gotten us NO WHERE.
But the argument is also missing the point - intentionally - and is dead wrong about what we seek. The demand is not that she file the bill this instant per se, but that she agree to file the bill and do so in the normal course of business.
The DRAFT AEB still needs to be put in filing form and that work will happen in conjunction with her legislative staff. It's not a lot that needs to happen - it's formatting and references to the National register where the existing laws are, line by line, where we intend to insert "sexual orientation and gender identity" along side "race, color, sex, national origin and religion" - to give us protection from discrimination in: housing, employment all public places, all government facilities (including schools) and all federally funded programs (which includes alot, homeless youth, hiv/health, social services, adoptions agencies etc).
This is how U.S. official policy will reject homophobia and transphobia, and this is the bill that will force that conversation - as our campaign is hopefully forcing that conversation among ourselves now.
These are the steps to passing a bill:
1. draft it (done).
2. file it (goal in process).
3. collect the votes (that's next)
4. sign it. - hopefully by JUNE 2012 - why not!
All the other blah blah just obfuscates the matter, and takes the power away from the people and puts it in the INSIDERS hands, such as some are trying to do.
Below is information about how a bill is filed from the Senate Librarian.
Of course it is true that bills can only be introduced when they are in session - obviously.
This is what Gillibrand would do, agree to introduce the bill, we finalize it together, and it gets filed when they resume work in November.
Anyone can file a bill under any subject matter (i.e., it doesn't matter what committee people are on).
The strategy behind the timing is less legislative, than it is MOVEMENT oriented. We need a bill that says: WE DEMAND DIGNITY, and EQUAL Civil Rights.
That bill and number - will then be the basis for the real work ahead. Naturally, we do not expect the bill to see action in Congress this session, and it WILL NOT interfere with any existing legislative priorities.
We will have to refile the bill with the next Congress, but that too is not the point. We needed to press this issue during the election cycle to get real attention to the matter. After the election, all attention will LEAVE NY and go back to D.C. where our local voices are virtually irrelevant.
This is well understood by the people trying to confuse and undermine the push.
The obvious point is to get the commitment to file the bill and to do so in the proper course of business. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear before.
I've gotten a few questions about this - so I hope this clarifies things.
Tif
p.s. Listen to the DEMAND from the MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE at Grand Central: CIVIL RIGHTS NOW, CIVIL RIGHTS NOW. CIVIL RIGHTS NOW - echoing through the Terminal. This is what we're talking about. The insider strategy pursued by some for so long - DID NOT BRING YOU THAT and nor will it if you chose to follow it back down the rabbit hole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDxSEpSrz8k
(2:18). The AEB project is designed to bring the power to the community. It's success will depend on whether the community responds. Come join the vigil: 15 W. 26th Street. If you want your voice to matter during the election cycle, now is the chance. They'll all be gone soon.
From: Cobleigh, Annie (Secretary)
Todd,
I found another simple description of how bills are introduced in the House Document “How Our Laws Are Made.” Here’s a link to the section online that talks about it:
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.bysec/introtocomm.html
(If you go to the Table of Contents, you can download the whole document in pdf format.)
I can also find some descriptions in books. I’ve attached one from the book Congressional Deskbook, by Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider.
I hope these help. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Annie
From: Todd Fernandez
[mailto:tfern...@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 4:34 PM
To: Cobleigh, Annie (Secretary)
Subject: Re: Senate - introducing a bill
Thank you so much. Tif
On Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 4:20 PM, Cobleigh, Annie (Secretary)
Todd,
Here’s what I’ve found so far mentioning how to file bills…
From this page on Senate.gov:
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/d_three_sections_with_teasers/process.htm
See “One Way a Bill Becomes a Law”
This provides a little flow chart that mentions how they file a bill.
And I’ve attached a Congressional Research Service report, Introducing a Bill or Resolution, that mentions when they may file a bill. See the section called “Introducing a Bill or Resolution.
I’m leaving for the day but will check to see if I can find anything else tomorrow and will be in touch.
Annie
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Annie Cobleigh
Reference Librarian
U.S. Senate Library