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Regarding the legislation introduced by @TulsiGabbard to #FreeAssange, #PardonSnowden, and Reform the Espionage Act/Protect Brave Whistleblowers, I've been researching the legislative process to find out how we can best support these measures.
THREAD of what I've learned:
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THREAD of what I've learned:
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H.Res 1175 & H.Res 1162 are Simple Resolutions. They don't require the approval of the Senate or the president, and do not become law. They simply express the opinion of the House; in this case, the sense that the US Gov should drop the charges against Assange & Snowden.
H.Res 1175 & H.Res 1162 are Simple Resolutions. They don't require the approval of the Senate or the president, and do not become law. They simply express the opinion of the House; in this case, the sense that the US Gov should drop the charges against Assange & Snowden.
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H.Res 1175 to #FreeAssange
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/1175/text
H.Res 1162 to #PardonSnowden
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/1162/text
H.Res 1175 to #FreeAssange
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/1175/text
H.Res 1162 to #PardonSnowden
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/1162/text
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H.R. 8452 is a bill that would require passage in both the House and Senate, and the approval of the president, to become law - in this case, to amend Title 18 of the United States Code, clarifying certain offenses related to espionage. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8452/text
H.R. 8452 is a bill that would require passage in both the House and Senate, and the approval of the president, to become law - in this case, to amend Title 18 of the United States Code, clarifying certain offenses related to espionage. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8452/text
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Process:
Step 1 - Resolutions introduced
Step 2 - Resolutions referred to committee. All three have been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, and H.Res 1162 ( #PardonSnowden) has additionally been referred to the House Committee on Intelligence.
Process:
Step 1 - Resolutions introduced
Step 2 - Resolutions referred to committee. All three have been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, and H.Res 1162 ( #PardonSnowden) has additionally been referred to the House Committee on Intelligence.
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Step 3 - Committee chair decides where they go next in committee: refer to subcommittee, hold hearings, markup/amend legislation, hold a vote.
The current House Judiciary Committee chair is @RepJerryNadler.
Step 3 - Committee chair decides where they go next in committee: refer to subcommittee, hold hearings, markup/amend legislation, hold a vote.
The current House Judiciary Committee chair is @RepJerryNadler.
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Step 4 - Committee votes on the legislation. If approved, it returns to the House
Step 5 - House votes on the legislation
Step 6 - If the House approves, in the case of H.Res 1175 and H.Res 1162, the resolution is passed/completed and the House's opinion is formally expressed.
Step 4 - Committee votes on the legislation. If approved, it returns to the House
Step 5 - House votes on the legislation
Step 6 - If the House approves, in the case of H.Res 1175 and H.Res 1162, the resolution is passed/completed and the House's opinion is formally expressed.
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In the case of H.R. 8452, if passed by the House, the bill would then be referred to the Senate.
Step 7 - Repeat steps 2-5 in the Senate
Step 8 - If Senate approves, it goes to the president.
In the case of H.R. 8452, if passed by the House, the bill would then be referred to the Senate.
Step 7 - Repeat steps 2-5 in the Senate
Step 8 - If Senate approves, it goes to the president.
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Legislation can be killed or die of neglect at any step.
Legislation also dies if a session of Congress ends before it is passed.
The current (116th) Congress ends on January 3, 2021 - in less than a month.
If legislation expires it can be reintroduced in the new Congress.
Legislation can be killed or die of neglect at any step.
Legislation also dies if a session of Congress ends before it is passed.
The current (116th) Congress ends on January 3, 2021 - in less than a month.
If legislation expires it can be reintroduced in the new Congress.
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Of the current sponsors of this legislation, only @RepThomasMassie (cosponsored H.Res 1175) and @RepMattGaetz (cosponsored 1162) will be continuing in the new Congress. I hope they will pledge to reintroduce it if it expires.
H.R. 8452 currently has no cosponsors.
Of the current sponsors of this legislation, only @RepThomasMassie (cosponsored H.Res 1175) and @RepMattGaetz (cosponsored 1162) will be continuing in the new Congress. I hope they will pledge to reintroduce it if it expires.
H.R. 8452 currently has no cosponsors.
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I'm sure my understanding here is elementary, but hopefully still provides some basic, helpful information for contacting Representatives and promoting/tracking this vital legislation.
I'm sure my understanding here is elementary, but hopefully still provides some basic, helpful information for contacting Representatives and promoting/tracking this vital legislation.
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Find YOUR Representatives and their contact information here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives
Members of the House Judiciary Committee can be found here: https://judiciary.house.gov/about/members.htm
Urge them to support this legislation!
#FreeAssange
#PardonSnowden
#ProtectWhistleblowers
Find YOUR Representatives and their contact information here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives
Members of the House Judiciary Committee can be found here: https://judiciary.house.gov/about/members.htm
Urge them to support this legislation!
#FreeAssange
#PardonSnowden
#ProtectWhistleblowers
