Bulldog Invitational 2017

Bulldog Invitational 2017

Congress Docket

Thank you all for attending this year’s Bettendorf Bulldog Invitational. The following legislation will be used for the duration of the tournament. Congress will consist of one session on Friday night, allowing for Congress students to compete in Individual Events on Saturday. We hope you enjoy your experience at the Bulldog Invitational and hope to see you again next year.

As stated in the tournament invitation, presiding officers (POs) will not be ranked alongside the other debaters. Instead, they will receive a gavel for their participation and be recognized for their service during the award ceremony. Score sheets and comments will still be provided, but the Presiding Officer will not receive a speaking award. The student elected as Presiding Officer will serve for the entire Congress session.

The order of the docket is set. I have set the docket in a random order. In addition to the bills received from schools in attendance, I have placed some bills/resolutions from previous Iowa tournaments and some from the upcoming Glenbrooks competition. I hope this will strengthen the docket and allow for some additional prep for upcoming events. If a bill does not have an authorized school listed OR said school is not present, anyone in the chamber may rise in Representation for said bill/resolution.

Thank you for your time and we hope you enjoy your experience at this year’s Bettendorf Bulldog Invitational.

Mr. Rankin

Head Speech/Debate Coach

Bettendorf High School

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING STANDING DURING THE NATIONALANTHEM

Whereas, not standing for the National Anthem could bring up traumatic
Experiences for those who have served or who have had loved ones in the military.
Whereas, not standing could cause violent disruptions and disturb the peace
Between people with opposite viewpoints possible causing injuries that could be
Fatal.
Whereas, if all spectators and participants stand for the National Anthem it would
help promote unity and help to strengthen the patriotism of the United States of
America.
Whereas, standing for the anthem can reinforce pride among citizens of the United States.
Whereas, not standing for the National Anthem could discourage people from
wanting to join the military, and thus undermine the U.S. armed forces.
Therefore, be it resolved by the student Congress here assembled that all
Public events in which the national anthem is performed, participants and
Spectators should be required to stand for the National Anthem for its duration or,
Be legally asked to the leave the venue.

By Representatives from Davenport Central High School

A Bill to Guarantee Biodiversity

BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
SECTION 1. The United States will fund 1.5 million from the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) to the Fish and Wildlife services to inform and research to protect main
pollinators
SECTION 2. Main pollinators are insects known to help greatly with pollination such
as Bee, wasps, butterflies, etc.
SECTION 3. The Fish and Wildlife services will oversee this bill.
This agency will provide education to people willing to help and will fund research to save declining populations.

SECTION 4. This will take effect upon the day funds are administered.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and
void
Respectfully Submitted By: DM East High School

A Bill to Raise the Estate Tax

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 SECTION 1. The Federal implicit marginal-tax on taxable estates above $1 million shall be

3 raised to sixty percent.

4 SECTION 2. The value of taxable estate shall be determined by deducting from the value of the

5 gross estate the deductions provided from 26 U.S. Code § 2051.

6 SECTION 3. The Internal Revenue Service will oversee the implementation and enforcement

7 of this bill.

8 A. The Internal Revenue Service shall oversee the collection of these taxes under

9 the Department of Treasury.

10 B. The Joint Committee on Taxation shall collaborate with the Internal Revenue

11 Service to lower the estate tax exemption as deemed necessary.

12 SECTION 4. This legislation will go into effect at the start of the next fiscal year.

13 SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

A BILL TO MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE STUDENT CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 Section 1: Terms for purchasing, possessing, and transferring of all firearms shall be

3 uniform in all U.S. states and shall adhere to the following rules and restrictions:

4 Section 2: The right to own a gun shall be reserved for those who have reached the

5 age of 21.

6 Section 3: Those held in a mental institution for 48 hours or longer shall not be

7 permitted to obtain and possess firearms.

8 Section 4: Individuals who have committed a felony will not be allowed to obtain

9 and own firearms.

10 Section 5: Those with licenses to sell guns must require the same background check

11 as the states.

12Subsection 5a: Psychological background check

13Subsection 5b: Work history

14Subsection 5c: Accusations of domestic violence

15Subsection 5d: Sex offender registry

16 Section 6: Each individual may own no more than three guns of any type.

17 Section 7: Each individual may have in possession no more than 200 rounds per gun.

18 Section 8: Each excess gun found will result in a $250 fine and confiscation.

19 Section 9: Terms of this legislation shall take effect on January 1st, 2019.

By representatives of Davenport Central High School

A Bill to Give Families A Break

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 SECTION 1. All eligible employees who take time off from work to care for a seriously ill

3 immediate family member or a newborn child will be granted a compulsory six

4 weeks of partial or full pay.

5 SECTION 2. Seriously ill will be defined as any sickness who degree of severity is considered

6 to be life threatening. Eligibility for employees will be met once individuals

7 provide proof of relationship, medical certificate as well as all current, baseline

8 requirements set by the Family and Medical Leave Act.

9 SECTION 3. The Department of Labor shall oversee the implementation of this bill. Payment

10 will be funded through mandatory employee payroll deductions.

11 SECTION 4. This bill will go into effect immediately upon passage. Individuals who meet the

12 qualifications soon after passage but have not contributed payroll deductions may

13 opt-in for the leave and retroactively make payroll deductions from future pay

14 periods.

15 SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

A Resolution to Defund the D.A.R.E. Program

WHEREAS,the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program is ineffective and funding by the federal government should stop; and

WHEREAS, the national funding of the D.A.R.E. program well be cut, because it dose not do what it was intended to do concerning the use of drugs; and

WHEREAS,this program in some causes increased the use of drugs, plus the money going in the program can go somewhere else; and

WHEREAS,in order see the use of controlled substances in elementary, middle and high school this program must be cut; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,That the Congress here assembled make the following recommendation for solution to cut funding for the D.A.R.E. program ; and, be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That funding will be cut next time funds are administered and then divide equally to under funded government areas.

Introduced for Congressional Debate by East high school.

A RESOLUTION TO ABOLISH A FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE

Whereas, living costs greatly vary between states; and
Whereas, larger, more populated states need higher minimum wage to keep
Up with higher living costs; and
Whereas, smaller, less populated states likely cannot afford a higher minimum
Wage; and
Whereas, increased federal minimum wage in smaller states may hurt small and
Local business owners; and
Whereas, increased federal minimum wage across the entire nation has increased
Potential to lead to inflation; and
Whereas, increased federal minimum wage across the entire nation can also lead
To higher unemployment and poverty rates; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE STUDENT CONGRESS HERE
ASSEMBLED THAT FEDERAL LAWS CONCERNING MINIMUM WAGE
SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.

By Senators of Davenport Central High School

Environmental Future Protection Act of 2017

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 SECTION 1. All oil and natural gas subsidies shall be phased out within the next twenty years.

3 A minimum of five percent of current subsidies shall be phased out each year

4 until the conclusion of the twenty year period.

5 SECTION 2. Oil and natural gas subsidies shall be defined as government actions that lower

6 the cost of their production, lower the price paid by their consumers, or increase

7 the price received by their producers.

8 SECTION 3. The Department of Energy shall oversee implementation and enforcement of this

9 legislation by adjusting its budget each year to account for gradual changes.

10 SECTION 4. This bill shall be enacted one year following passage.

11 SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

A Bill to implement a revenue neutral carbon tax to curb carbon emissions

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15 / BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
SECTION 1.The United States of America will implement a revenue neutral carbon tax.
SECTION 2. A revenue neutral carbon tax will be defined as a tax on each unit of greenhouse gas emission created by burning fuel, while the revenue created goes back to the citizens of the United States.
SECTION 3. All revenue created by the carbon tax will be rebated back to citizens in the form of lower income taxes of households whose combined income is lower than $100,000 a year.
SECTION 3.The Environmental protection Agency will oversee the implementation of this legislation and the Department of the Treasury will oversee the collection and redistribution of revenue created.
SECTION 4.This legislation will be in full effect by January 1st, 2020
SECTION 5.All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

Introduced for Congressional Debate byBettendorf High School

A Bill to Fully Fund the United Nations

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS 1 HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 SECTION 1. The United States shall appropriate the necessary funds to fully fund its assessed

3 contributions to the United Nations in fiscal year 2018.

4 SECTION 2. The United States appropriations for voluntary contributions to the United

5 Nations in FY 2018 shall be in an amount that is equal to or exceeds its voluntary

6 contribution in FY 2017.

7 SECTION 3. The State Department shall oversee the enforcement of this bill.

8 SECTION 4. This legislation will go into effect upon enactment.

9 SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

A Resolution to Confront Iran

WHEREAS, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven itself to be
imperialist and repressive, and
WHEREAS, under current US policy the Iranian regime possesses the capability to
acquire nuclear weapons in the near future, and,
WHEREAS, previous US strategy has failed to adequately address and contain the
Iranian threat, and
WHEREAS, a more comprehensive and far-sighted strategy is necessary to protect the
interests of the US and its allies and to maintain stability in the region, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Congress here assembled that in addition to diligently enforcing the
existing nuclear agreement until its completion, the US shall develop and present revised
terms for a subsequent accord which corrects the flaw of the current by removing sunset
provisions which give Iran a pathway to nuclear weapons, and by expanding US access to
Iranian military sites for effective verification, and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the following shall henceforth serve as an outline for US
policy towards Iran:
Economic Policy: The US will implement economic policy with the intent of severely
weakening the finances of the Iranian regime and restricting its military and weapons
production capabilities. The US will develop and implement robust economic sanctions
targeting the Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other dominant forces in the
Iranian economy.
Geopolitical Strategy: The US will target and dismantle the Iranian regime’s terrorist
networks and influence operations, including its presence in Europe and the United
States, by working closely with European allies and with allied Sunni governments in the
region. The US will work to dismantle Iranian power in the middle east on a country-by-
country basis by providing support for anti-Iranian proxy and dissident forces in the
region.
Ideological Offensive: The US will act to support and strengthen Iranian pro-democracy
forces, and target the Iranian regime’s corruption and human rights abuses. US policies
should seek wherever possible to encourage Iranian regional allies to distance themselves
from the Iranian government and progress towards domestic democratization. U.S. policy
must have an ideological thrust which clearly affirms the superiority of U.S. and Western
values of individual dignity and freedom, and political democracy over the repressive
features of the Iranian regime.

Respectfully submitted by Ankeny High School

A Bill to Increase Public Investment in Geothermal Energy

BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
SECTION 1.$500 million shall be allocated toward the subsidization of the US
geothermalenergy industry.
SECTION 2.Geothermal energy shall be defined as energy derived and generated from
heatstored in the Earth.
SECTION 3.The U.S. Department of Energy shall be charged with the implementation
of thislegislation.
A. Funding for this legislation shall come from an increase in the federal gas tax
of 2cents per gallon.
B. All additional or leftover funds shall be redirected to the National Highway
TrustFund.
SECTION 4.This legislation shall go into effect FY 2019.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

The Unaccompanied Minor Immigration Act of 2017

BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
SECTION 1.Undocumented immigrants who arrived to the United States from
Guatemala,Honduras, or El Salvador shall be eligible for temporary residence in the US
if they meet the following qualifications:
A. Must have arrived between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2017.
B. Must have arrived as an unaccompanied minor.
C. No history of violent crime.
SECTION 2.Those who are given temporary residence under this legislation must
commit to attending school, joining the military, or obtaining a job under risk of losing
their residence. After5 years, they will be eligible for full permanent residence status.
SECTION 3.The Department of State shall be charged with the implementation of this
legislation, the Department of Homeland Security shall be charged with vetting the
applicants.
SECTION 4.This legislation shall go into effect immediately upon passage.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

A Resolution to Increase Free Trade Agreementswith African Nations

1 WHEREAS, Chinese expansion is increasing in Africa; and

2 WHEREAS, Slowly, African nations are dealing with increased Chinese economic influence;

3 and

4 WHEREAS, Any form of Chinese economic control on any African sector could be disastrous;

5 and,

6 WHEREAS, The United States stands to prosper greatly, both economically and politically, by

7 reaching out to African countries; therefore, be it

8 RESOLVED, That the Congress here assembled enter talks with African nations in order to

9 create free trade agreements.

A Bill to Stop Currency Manipulation

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 SECTION 1. A. Congress will help end currency manipulation by passing pending legislation

3 H.R. 1276 that would allow the Commerce Department to treat currency

4 manipulation as a subsidy in countervailing duty trade cases, and

5 B. The Treasury and Federal Reserve will have the authority needed to offset

6 purchases of foreign assets by foreign governments by engaging in countervailing

7 currency intervention.

8 SECTION 2. H. R. 1276 is defined as the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act, which Amends

9 the Tariff Act of 1930 to include as a "countervailable subsidy" requiring action

10 under a countervailing duty or antidumping duty proceeding the benefit conferred

11 on merchandise imported into the United States from foreign countries with

12 fundamentally undervalued currency.

13 SECTION 3. The United States Commerce Department, Department of State, and the Treasury

14 and Federal Reserve are delegated the task of implementing this legislation.

15 SECTION 4. This bill will be implemented immediately after passage.

16 SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

The Immigration Security Reform of 2017

1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

2 SECTION 1. A. The United States shall provide an additional $250 million annually to the

3 Department of Homeland Security to expand and enhance both physical and

4 virtual border security infrastructure.

5 B. The Department of State shall be given $100 million provide a visa screening

6 program to background check all visa applicants for international criminal

7 behavior.

8 C. The Executive Office for Immigration Review shall receive an additional $50

9 million annually to prevent court backlog.

10 SECTION 2. A. “Physical border security” shall be defined as more secure fencing and

11 physical barriers to the border to prevent illegal crossings.

12 B. “Virtual border security” shall be defined as cameras, drones, sensors, and

13 other surveillance technologies to better detect and respond to illegal crossings.

14 SECTION 3. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice shall