NationStates Jolt Archive

House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Connie Jacobi (Liberal Imperialist-Somerset) looked at the proposal twice, three times. She wanted to make sure she was reading it correctly. When she conferred with an aide, she realised the paper was a serious piece of legislation.

I've got to be serious about this, Jacobi thought. We're running Robert's Rules of Order and I can't break them no matter how ridiculous this looks.

"Regarding the proposal in front of you, is there a motion on the floor," Jacobi asked, doing her best to maintain her official demeanor even though she wanted to propose something different."

"Madame Chairman, I move that the proposal be rejected out of hand, Craig Dalshon (C-Benatar) said. Typical, Jacobi thought. He usually said that about nearly every agreement that crossed the committee members' desks, but she breathed a sigh of relief that this one was no different.

"Second," Johan Pawalski (Moderate - Rypien) said. "This just doesn't make sense for us, especially in light of recent events."

Jacobi took a sip from her Imperium Cola in an effort to hide her surprise. This was one of the few times Pawalski and Dalshon agreed on anything. Even though Pawalski was a Moderate, he was a left-leaning one, while Dalshon was one of the harder right wing Conservatives in all of Sarzonian politics. But on this issue, they were in agrement.

"It's been moved and seconded.

"Call for consent."

"Any objections?" Jacobi waited the mandatory minimum 15 seconds. Finally, she spoke.

"Hearing none, motion passes." With that, the proposal for Sarzonia to rejoin NATO died before it ever reached the floor of the House of Delegates.

A woman with long, flowing blonde hair held the microphone just outside the a large room in Parliament Hall in Sarzonia's capital, Woodstock.

"And you're on in 3, 2, 1."

We are live from the House Chambre in Parliament Hall where the House Foreign Relations Committee has just killed a proposal to rejoin NATO. Political scientists are saying that the committee's primary objection to the proposal was NATO's handling of its Warlympics.

"NATO began conducting 'combat exercises' without announcing their intentions. That's horrifically irresponsible," Conservative Delegate Christian Spencer (New Praetonia) said. "We are not going to be party to a warmongering alliance. There's a reason we left NATO in the first place."

House observers expressed surprise at how closely the major parties agreed to this measure to kill the legislation. Gray House spokeswoman Joanne Feeney said the President is not likely to push for a vote.

"It's deader than a doornail," Joanne Feeney said. "The only chance NATO would have had is if Sarzo supported it. It doesn't look like he's going to."

External Affairs officials said they're aware of concerns that Sarzonia's former NATO allies will be upset that Sarzonia will not petition to rejoin NATO, but they say NATO has to make the next move.

"They know we are a proud people," Deputy Senior Vice President for External Affairs Mark Lorber said. "If NATO wants us back in the fold, they know how to contact us."

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tag? whats this about?

OOC: What happened was that a Delegate introduced a bill that would have had Sarzonia petition to rejoin NATO if it passed the House of Delegates and President Sarzo signed it. However, the bill is voted down before it reaches the House floor. Hence, the House doesn't even debate the issue on the floor and the bill doesn't reach Sarzo's desk.

The essential OOC message to NATO is: If you want Sarzonia to rejoin, you have to make the next move.

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During a press conference after a committee meeting, Jacobi fielded questions about the general run of events in the house.

"That appropriations bill looks like it's going to pass regardless of our feelings on the matter. Inkana is getting to be an unacceptable quagmire and matters are going to come to a head there.

Madame Delegate, Ross Ventre from the Nicksia News here. What has the foreign response been to the committee not authorising a petition to rejoin NATO?

"Frankly, not much has happened to my understanding. The President has said he's going to have to log some frequent flyer miles though, so it's possible that he may be mending some fences."

Madame Delegate, Chris Consuelos from Channel 36 in Rypien. What do you say to the reports that the committee's decision may have cost the Portland Iron Works a major contract with a NATO power?

"I'm not at liberty to comment on that matter. It's considered highly sensitive information."

Did the President issue a gag order?

"Again, I'm not at liberty to discuss that matter. Next question."

Madame Delegate, about that farm subsidy package you proposed...

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