Springfield, Missouri
Congress Legislation
2015-2016
1. A Resolution to Ban Campus Free Speech Zones
2. A Bill to Lower the Legal Drinking Age
3. A Resolution to Recommend that the President of the United States of America
Limit the Use of Executive Orders
4. A Bill to Legalize Physician Assisted Suicide to Allow Adult Patients with Terminal
Illness to End their Lives with the Assistance of a Physician
5. A Resolution to Impose Term Limitations on Supreme Court Justices
6. A Bill to Regulate Three-Dimensional Printing
7. A Resolution to Investigate and Prosecute Presidential War Crimes
8. A Bill to Lower the Age of Legality
9. A Resolution to Discontinue Affirmative Action
10. A Bill to Invest in Cyber Security
11. A Resolution to Abolish the Death Penalty
12. A Bill to Require All Police Officers to Wear a Body Camera While on Duty
13. A Resolution to Improve the Electoral College
14. A Bill to Establish Free Trade between the United States and the European Union
15. A Resolution to Support Arab Initiative to Resolve Israeli-Palestine Conflict
16. A Bill to Restore Voting Rights for Criminals
17. Resolution to Decrease Child Second-Hand Smoke Intake
18. A Bill to Incentivize Voting in Federal Elections
19. A Resolution to Decrease the Use of Standardized Tests within the Classroom
20. A Bill to Reform Mental Health Care
21. A Resolution to Establish a Cap and Trade Policy for Carbon Emissions
22. A Bill to Adopt an Educational Voucher System
23. A Resolution to Give Guantanamo Bay Back to Cuba
24. A Constitutional Amendment to Limit Campaign Financing
25. A Resolution to Abolish the Penny to Lower the Deficit
A Resolution to Ban Campus Free Speech Zones
WHEREAS, many colleges and universities in the United States use free speech zones as a
mechanism to restrict student speech, and;
WHEREAS, these free speech zones are usually tiny and out of the way, functionally limiting
expression, and;
WHEREAS, allowance for free speech is an important and necessary step towards ensuring
that colleges and universities produce energized debates and discussions necessary for
learning, and;
WHEREAS, the First Amendment is designed to promote free expression on public campuses;
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that the United States should prohibit all
public colleges and universities from establishing, using, or maintaining campus free speech
zones.
A Bill to Lower the Legal Drinking Age
SECTION 1. The legal drinking age in the United States will be lowered from age 21 to 18.
SECTION 2. The legal drinking age is the age at which one can legally purchase and consume
alcoholic beverages.
SECTION 3. The Department of Transportation will be directly involved in the implementation of
this bill. Citizens at and above the age of 18 will be granted legal access to alcoholic beverages
without governmental interference.
A. The Bill will be enforced alongside the repeal of the National Minimum Drinking Age
Act. Consequently, states will no longer face financial punishment for adopting a lowered
drinking age.
B. Citizens who obtain alcohol under the age of 18 will still face legal repercussions.
SECTION 4. The bill will become effective beginning in January 2016.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Recommend that the President of the United States of America Limit the
Use of Executive Orders
WHEREAS, the Presidential power of executive orders violates the fundamental Constitutional
ideal of checks and balances; and
WHEREAS, presidential executive orders are often used as a way for the President to
circumvent Congress; and
WHEREAS, this gives the President unbalanced power to effect and implement the laws of the
United States of America as he pleases; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that the President of the United States
of America should limit the use of executive orders to times of war and internal distress.
A Bill to Legalize Physician Assisted Suicide to Allow Adult Patients with Terminal Illness
to End their Lives with the Assistance of a Physician
SECTION 1. The United States Federal Government shall hereby allow any adult patient with a
terminal illness to have the right to die, if the patient wishes, with the aid of a licensed physician.
SECTION 2. A terminal illness is defined as an active and progressive illness for which there is
no cure and the prognosis is fatal.
SECTION 3. This bill will be enforced by physician members of the American Medical
Association who will set guidelines and procedures.
A. Physicians must adhere to legal care requirements when performing this process.
B. The patient’s request must be voluntary and not the result of any external pressure, it
must be well-considered and repeated, and must be put in writing. A patient has to also
have an official diagnosis from a doctor and a second consulting doctor in order to
request this.
SECTION 4. This law will take effect on January 1 , 2016.
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SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Impose Term Limitations on Supreme Court Justices
WHEREAS the Constitutional reasoning behind lifetime terms is outdated and insufficient for the
modern political word; and
WHEREAS the founding fathers did not anticipate terms lasting upwards of thirty years; and
WHEREAS justices are often chosen based on their political leanings; and
WHEREAS justices are often chosen at a young age to maintain as long of a term as possible,
and transitively, as much political influence as possible; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Student Congress here assembled, that the following article is
proposed as an amendment to the Constitution:
ARTICLE
Section 1: Justices of the Supreme Court shall not hold their office for a term lasting more than
15 years.
Section 2: Justices of the Supreme Court shall not hold more than one term in the Supreme
Court, but are not inhibited from serving indefinite terms in inferior courts.
Section 3: This article will not apply to judges of the inferior court.
A Bill to Regulate Three-Dimensional Printing
SECTION 1. The U.S. government will regulate the items produced by three-dimensional
printers.
SECTION 2. Three-dimensional printing has become very popular in the past twenty-five years,
and can pose many problems against the U.S. such as the illegal sale of firearms and drugs,
and also health risks such as unhealthy air emissions.
SECTION 3. Three-dimensional printing shall be defined as any process for making a physical
object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many successive thin
layers of a material.
SECTION 4. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice will oversee
the implementation of this bill.
A. All those who violate regulations shall either be fined or imprisoned based on what
illegal object or substance they produce from the three-dimensional printer.
SECTION 5. This bill will go into effect exactly six months after being passed.
SECTION 6. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Investigate and Prosecute Presidential War Crimes
WHEREAS, the past four Presidents of the United States grossly overstepped their
constitutional authority and committed high crimes and misdemeanors in the prosecution of
recent armed conflicts; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Presidents deployed armed forces prior to explicit
Congressional authorization; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Presidents violated several UNSC Resolutions and the War 7
Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 33); and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned Presidents infringed on the constitutional authority of the
legislative branch; and
WHEREAS, the United States is losing worldwide influence and faith of its own people as a 11
result of such actions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Congress here assembled assign a special counsel to
investigate any war crimes committed by the aforementioned Presidents and report the results
to a joint session of Congress in six months from time of passage; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that if sufficient evidence of presidential war crimes is presented, a 16
special prosecutor be assigned to try the cases.
A Bill to Lower the Age of Legality
SECTION 1. The new age of legality for adulthood be lowered from 18 years of age to 16 years
of age.
SECTION 2. Legality will refer to a person’s right to legally sign contracts and be declared an
adult in all legal and commercial settings.
SECTION 3. This bill will take effect immediately upon passage.
SECTION 4. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void
A Resolution to Discontinue Affirmative Action
WHEREAS, race should never be considered as a basis for classification because special
treatment for some means discrimination against others; and
WHEREAS, the Civil Rights Movement and its leaders fought for a color blind society where
individuals are not judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character; and
WHEREAS, affirmative action has been established to rectify past injustices; and
WHEREAS, the merit and qualifications of a person, rather than race, nationality, sex, or age,
should be the only factors considered when addressing one’s advancement; and
WHEREAS, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act states that it is unlawful to adversely impact a
person’s status as an employee because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or natural
origin; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that in order to promote equality, all
affirmative action programs be discontinued throughout the United States of America.
A Bill to Invest in Cyber Security
SECTION 1. The annual budget of the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) shall
be increased by $500,000,000.
A. 15% of the additional funding allotted in Section 1 must be used by USCYBERCOM
to work with private enterprises in an effort to improve the cyber security of the United
States.
SECTION 2. The United States Cyber Command shall be responsible for the selection of the
private enterprises with whom it chooses to work.
SECTION 3. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the United States Cyber
Command shall be responsible for the implementation of funding.
A. The U.S. Government Accountability Office shall perform annual assessments in
order to ensure that all funding from this legislation is being used efficiently.
SECTION 4. The provisions of this law shall take effect six months after its passage.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void
A Resolution to Abolish the Death Penalty
WHEREAS, it costs about $200,000 per convict to hold a person prisoner; and
WHEREAS, it costs a state nearly $2.3 million plus $4 million in extra costs to procure an
execution; and
WHEREAS, death penalty trials cost an average of 48% more than the average cost of trials in
5 which prosecutors seek life imprisonment; and
WHEREAS, all criminals on Death Row should be given a life sentence; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled, that the death penalty should be
abolished in all states.
A Bill to Require All Police Officers to Wear a Body Camera While on Duty
SECTION 1. Because of recent police officer abuse, all police officers will be issued a small
camera to be fastened to his uniform.
SECTION 2. Every officer will be required to wear the camera at all times will on duty and must
turn on the camera each time he responds to an incident.
SECTION 3. The National Security Agency will be responsible for the distribution of the federally
funded cameras and enforcement of this legislation.
A. Education of officers will be the responsibility of each police department.
B. Officers must wear and correctly use these body cameras under threat of termination.
SECTION 4. This legislation will go into effect on July 1, 2016.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Improve the Electoral College
WHEREAS, the current “winner-takes- all” system used by 48 states unfairly disenfranchises
millions of voters each year; and
WHEREAS, the “congressional district method” currently utilized by Maine and Nebraska would
benefit the voters of the United States if it were implemented on a national level; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, the United States Congress work towards implementing the 7 “congressional
district method” of electoral voting in every state.
A Bill to Establish Free Trade between the United States and the European Union
SECTION 1. All unilateral trade restrictions between the United States shall be hereby
eliminated and free trade established between EU member states.
SECTION 2. Trade restrictions shall be include tariffs, export-import quotas/gates, regulations
specifically targeting the EU, and any other impediments to trade.
SECTION 3. The U.S. Office of the Trade Representative shall oversee the implementation of
the unilaterally established free trade.
SECTION 4. This bill shall come into effect on January 1, 2016.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Support Arab Initiative to Resolve Israeli-Palestine Conflict
WHEREAS, the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is increasing Islamic State recruitment and heating
ethnic tensions between Muslims and Jews worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the United States needs to repair its harmed image worldwide by preferring
nonviolent solutions over armed conflict; and
WHEREAS, the Israeli-Palestine conflict has killed at least 78,000 citizens of Israel and
Palestine; and
WHEREAS, Arab nations have proposed a two-state solution to the conflict that can address
the needs of Israel and Palestine; and
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled make the following recommend the
adoption of the Arab Initiative; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. should engage Arab nations in a multilateral negotiation
to end the conflict
A Bill to Restore Voting Rights for Criminals
SECTION 1. No state may ban felons who have completed their sentences from voting in
federal elections.
SECTION 2. Definitions are as follows:
A. A felon is defined as a person who has committed a crime punishable by more than
one year in prison or death.
B. A sentence includes conviction, incarceration, probation, and/or parole.
SECTION 3. The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) will be responsible for enforcing this
legislation.
A. States which fail to comply with this bill may not receive federal election assistance
grants.
SECTION 4. This legislation will take effect one month after its passage.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
Resolution to Decrease Child Second-Hand Smoke Intake
WHEREAS, Children exposed to cigarette smoke are at greater risk of health issues than
adults.
WHEREAS, When the air is tainted with cigarette smoke children breathe in over 7,000
chemicals, 250 of which are poisonous.
WHEREAS, the lungs of children who regularly breathe in secondhand smoke develop more
slowly.
WEHREAS, Children of parents who smoke half a pack per day or more are nearly
double the risk of hospitalization for a respiratory illness
WHEREAS, Children that are regularly exposed to smoke have greater risk of ear infections
and irritation of the Eustachian tube, which are the most common cause of hearing loss in
children.
WHEREAS, Children within a small closed space cannot escape these harmful fumes coming
from second-hand smoke.
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that smoking in motorized vehicles with
children present shall be deemed unlawful.
A Bill to Incentivize Voting in Federal Elections
SECTION 1. Citizens who vote in federal elections for members of the House of
Representatives, Senate, and the President of the United States shall be entitled to a $50 tax
credit for that fiscal year.
SECTION 2. “Vote” refers to the casting of a ballor by any available means recognized by a
given State including, but not limited to, early voting, absentee ballots, and voting on election
dap proper. Citizens may cast a ballot for “none of the above” or its equivalent as well as “writein” candidates and will still be eligible for the aforementioned tax credit.
SECTION 3. The Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Election Comission shall be
charged with the implementation of this legislation.
SECTION 4. This legislation will take effect on January 1, 2016.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Decrease the Use of Standardized Tests within the Classroom
WHEREAS, standardized tests cannot measure creativity, critical thinking, motivation,
persistence, reliability, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, or resourcefulness.
WHEREAS, 50-80% of year-over-year test score improvements are temporary and "caused by
fluctuations that had nothing to do with long-term changes in learning."
WHEREAS, A May 26, 2011, National Research Council report found no evidence test-based
incentive programs are working.
WHEREAS, teaching "to the test" decreases the higher-order thinking that was once required in
the secondary curriculum.
WHEREAS, Quality classroom instruction time is being consumed by test preparation.
WHEREAS, standardized testing decreases creativity, ultimately decreasing achievement.
WHEREAS, Finland had the highest international education franking from 2001-2008 without
using any standardized tests.
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that standardized tests be replaced with
varying formative and summative assessments in order to gauge student growth in all areas of
learning.
A Bill to Reform Mental Health Care
SECTION 1. The Community Mental Health Care Act of 1963 is repealed.
SECTION 2. The United States Federal Government shall increase spending on Mental Health
Care by 8% over the next four years upon passage of this legislation. The difference in the
increase of spending will support the cost of development of new Mental Health Centers in the
United States.
SECTION 3. Mental Health Care costs will be included in Medicaid benefits.
SECTION 4. Mental Health Care diagnosis and treatment provisions will be made by a panel of
Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Doctors appointed by the United States Commission on
Mental Health, effective upon passage of this legislation.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Establish a Cap and Trade Policy for Carbon Emissions
WHEREAS, a cap and trade program was initially established by President Bush in 1989 for
sulfur dioxide; and
WHEREAS, more than 27 countries currently have cap and trade programs; and
WHEREAS, other environmental efforts such as the Kyoto Protocol have lost effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, carbon emissions negatively impact the environment and the economy; and
WHEREAS, a cap and trade program incentivizes companies to reduce emissions; and
WHEREAS, a cap and trade program involves a government cap on carbon emissions. And
WHEREAS, companies are capped on a percentage basis; and
WHEREAS, this cap will decrease slightly every year; and
WHEREAS, companies wishing to increase the cap set on them may buy credits from other
companies, allowing them to emit more carbon at a cost.
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that the United States implement a cap
and trade policy for all companies that emit carbon.
A Bill to Adopt an Educational Voucher System
SECTION 1. The US will adopt a voucher system for private schools.
SECTION 2. Vouchers will be given out to students to determine which schools they would like
to attend.
SECTION 3. Voucher system is defined as a certificate of funding issued by the government,
which the parents of a schoolchild have control of and are able to direct towards the public or
private school of their own choosing to fully or partially pay for the tuition of their child at that
school for that year.
SECTION 4. Vouchers will be accepted in a first come first serve basis.
SECTION 5. This bill will be implemented immediately.
SECTION 6. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
A Resolution to Give Guantanamo Bay Back to Cuba
WHEREAS, The United States established Guantanamo Bay as a terrorism interrogation and
punishment base in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks; and
WHEREAS, 155 people were detained in 2014; and
WHEREAS, The United States spends close to $400 million a year on these facilities; and
WHEREAS, The interrogation processes at the camp are often excessively cruel; and
WHEREAS, President Obama has called for the normalization of Cuban relations; and
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that the United States close down all
operations of Guantanamo Bay and grant all ownership of the land back to Cuba, while deciding
on a case by case basis of what to do with the detainees.
A Constitutional Amendment to Limit Campaign Financing
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled that the following article is proposed as
an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and
purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
several states within seven years from the date of its submission by Congress:
ARTICLE
Section 1: The Congress and each of the several States shall have power to prohibit, limit, and
otherwise regulate contribution of funds or donation of in-kind equivalents to candidates
standing for election to a Federal or State office and to prohibit, limit, and otherwise regulate the
expenditure of funds or donation of in-kind equivalents used to support or purchase media
advertisements intended to influence the outcome of an election for a Federal or State office in
the United States.
Section 2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
A Resolution to Abolish the Penny to Lower the Deficit
WHEREAS, Since the year 2006 and every year there after it has cost the United States
government $55 million to produce the penny; and
WHEREAS,
The federal deficit currently stands at approximately 18 trillion dollars; and
WHEREAS, At times of budgetary strife within a national economy, it is important to make
changes to correct inefficiencies within national budgets; and
WHEREAS, The penny no longer holds value to the average American citizen, and most
citizens disregard pennies currently; and
RESOLVED, by the Student Congress here assembled provide a resolution encouraging the
Federal Reserve to discontinue production of pennies as national currency.