B-015: National Defense Authorization Act, 1674

[Speaker Rejo]

National Defense Authorization Act, 1674
An Act to provide for the authorization of funds to further develop the armed forces of the Republic of Alduria, and for other purposes

BE IT ENACTED by the duly elected Parliament of the Republic of Alduria assembled, -

ARTICLE 1. Citation.

This Act may be cited for all purposes as the ‘National Defense Authorization Act, 1674.”

ARTICLE 2. Naval Appropriations

1. 50 Billion Ecus shall be authorized to strengthen the naval forces of the Republic of Alduria, to be allocated to specific projects by the Secretary of Defense subject to the terms of this act.
2. At least half of all funds appropriated to the construction of naval vessels shall be dedicated to building cruisers, frigate, and other ships deemed by the Secretary of Defense to be essential to providing escorts for trade convoys.
3. At least 35% of the total funds allocated to the Navy shall be used to construct new ships.
4. In the event any funding shall remain after being authorized for a project and that project shall have been completed, all remaining funds shall be returned to the Secretary of Defense for re-allocation to any project in the Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 3. Coast Guard Appropriations

1. 15 Billion Ecus shall be authorized to strengthen the Coast Guard of the Republic of Alduria to be allocated to specific projects by the Secretary of Defense subject to the terms of this act.
2. At least 25% of these funds shall be dedicated to the construction of coastal defense systems, including anti-submarine systems and harbour/port security.
3. In the event any funding shall remain after being authorized for a project and that project shall have been completed, all remaining funds shall be returned to the Secretary of State for re-allocation to any project in the Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 4. Army Appropriations

1. 50 Billion Ecus shall be authorized to strengthen the army of the Republic of Alduria.
2. At least 25% of these funds shall be dedicated to building up mechanized infantry and armoured divisions.
3. In the event any funding shall remain after being authorized for a project and that project shall have been completed, all remaining funds shall be returned to the Secretary of State for re-allocation to any project in the Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 5. Marine Appropriations

1. 20 Billion Ecus shall be authorized to strengthen the Marine Corps of the Republic of Alduria.
2. At least 30% of these funds shall be dedicated to building up amphibious assault capabilities.
3. In the event any funding shall remain after being authorized for a project and that project shall have been completed, all remaining funds shall be returned to the Secretary of State for re-allocation to any project in the Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 6. Air Force Appropriations

1. 50 Billion Ecus shall be authorized to strengthen the Air Force of the Republic of Alduria. 
2. At least 5% of these funds shall be dedicated to unmanned technologies including drones and UAVs.
3. In the event any funding shall remain after being authorized for a project and that project shall have been completed, all remaining funds shall be returned to the Secretary of State for re-allocation to any project in the Armed Forces.

ARTICLE 7. GENERAL FUND

1. 25 Billion Ecus shall be placed into a general fund which may be allocated to any Defense related project by the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall not allocate money from this fund without first consulting the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2. The Secretary of Defense may also direct that funds from the General Fund be used to cover any cost overruns by any branch of the Armed Forces.
3. 3 Billion Ecus from Section 1 of this Article are appropriated to civil defense personnel expenses and equipment upgrade or equipment purchase expenses. 

ARTICLE 8. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SECRETARY

1. The Secretary of Defense shall give priority to Aldurian-based companies for all contracts unless the Secretary of Defense shall determine that:

A non-Aldurian company offers superior quality at comparable pricing to an Aldurian company.
The quality or features offered by the non-Aldurian company is vital to national defense interests.
The cost-savings of a non-Aldurian company are substantial compared to an Aldurian company.
There is an overriding national or defense interest in engaging with a non-Aldurian company.
2. Nothing in this article shall forbid the Secretary from engaging in any lend-lease programs or exchange programs with a foreign ally.

ARTICLE 9. Funding Sources

1. The Secretary of Defense shall be authorized to utilize income taxes to fund the Armed Forces as outlined above.
2. In the event there shall be a deficiency of funding after drawing from income taxes, the Secretary of Defense shall be authorized to draw upon any surplus funds identified by the Secretary of Finance to fund the Armed Forces as outlined above.

3. In the event there shall still be a deficiency of any available funds, the Secretary of Finance shall be empowered to borrow funds to cover any deficiencies.
 
ARTICLE 10. Commencement.

This legislation and all the provisions therein shall come into force upon receiving proper constitutional approval.  

Parliament will now come to order to consider this bill, presented by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. 

The Chair now recognizes The Prime Minister.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

The deplorable attacks in Corrada del Rio have made clear the need for us to invest more heavily in our armed forces to protect the citizens of our great Republic. This bill sets out a bold plan to significantly increase the size of our military as well as to provide the equipment it needs to protect Alduria. During this time of crisis in our Republic, we must step up to ensure that our brave men and women in the armed forces receive the funding they need to defend us. 

This investment is significant, and as such it will require sacrifices from all of us. The Government maintains its manifesto pledge to be fiscally responsible--and in order to ensure that we maintain that pledge so that we do not solve one crisis by creating another, we have tabled with this docket a bill to require contributions from many citizens  to ensure the defense of the realm. I will speak further to this when I open debate on the other measure.

I ask all members of this house to do what needs to be done and support this bill to ensure that our military can do what it must to protect the people of this great Republic.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Chair now opens the floor for general debate. All members may offer debate or amendments at this time. Debate shall last for no less than 48 hours.

[Seydlitz]

Madam Speaker,

I beg leave to extend debate in accordance with our rules, and yield.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Honourable Member's request is noted and the Chair will provide at least an additional 24 hours from the original end time for debate on both pending bills. If the Honourable Member feels he needs more time, I ask him to notify me.

[Seydlitz]

Madam Speaker,

I move to amend:

ARTICLE 7. GENERAL FUND

1. 25 Billion Ecus shall be placed into a general fund which may be allocated to any Defense related project by the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall not allocate money from this fund without first consulting the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2. The Secretary of Defense may also direct that funds from the General Fund be used to cover any cost overruns by any branch of the Armed Forces.
3. 3 Billion Ecus from Section 1 of this Article are appropriated to civil defense personnel expenses and equipment upgrade or equipment purchase expenses. 

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

I'm pleased to accept the amendment as friendly.

[Speaker Rejo]

The amendment is recognized and, having been accepted as friendly, is incorporated into the bill. As a result of extended debate on the other pending bill before the house, the Chair will leave debate open on this bill until voting begins on final passage of the other bill in this docket.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for debate has now expired. The question is: Shall Parliament pass the pending bill? Voting shall last for no less than 48 hours

DIVISION: CLEAR THE LOBBIES!

[Alfonso Velez]

AYE

L&D Level 2 Aye