My Email to Chief of Staff Tropp: The Presidential Veto

  

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On Oct. 19, I sent a message to Chief of Staff Savannah Tropp with a link to my previous essay in which I call for SGA to abolish the presidential veto.

In my message, I stated that I shared it with her in case her committee, The Rules Committee, finds the subject worthy of its review. For the sake of public record, and for transparency, here is a copy of my message below.

I was pleased to hear Tropp report in general assembly this week that Rules Committee will review my essay as part of its business during its upcoming committee meeting this week. 

My thanks to Chief of Staff Tropp for looking into this matter. Here is my message to her below. 

***
James Hescock <****@gmail.com>Thu, Oct 19, 2023 at 3:13 PM
Thu, Oct. 19, 2023 at 3:13 PM
To: stropp@patriots.uttyler.edu
Hello Chief of Staff Tropp:

How are you? Last year, I wrote an essay about why SGA should abolish the presidential veto. I write to share it with you in case your committee finds it worthy of its review. 

I admit the essay is too chatty. So I won't blame you if you have some trouble reading it. However, in it I claim SGA should abolish the presidential veto because both the veto and the threat of a veto injure the senate's autonomy. They allow the president to interfere with the senate's business while he presides over it as chair. In other words, presidential veto power hinders the senate's ability to discuss matters and to take action without the president's influence. I also write that three-fourth's majority approval to override the president's veto is too high of a bar for senators to overcome the veto power's effect. So, in my essay, I argue SGA should abolish the presidential veto and return to its previous arrangement.

Surprisingly, towards the end of last year's spring semester, Former-President Landry Smith illustrated this when he threatened to veto the senate's efforts during general assembly. His notice of intent shut down the senate's discussion and deterred members from proceeding with their vote. Here is video of this instance from SGA's April 11th, 2022 meeting (at 1:16:30 minutes).

At the time, I commented that this instance illustrated why I believe SGA should abolish the president's veto. So I thought it was an interesting illustration!

So, I write to share this issue in case it interests you or your committee.

I hope these positions can be food for thought! Thank you for reading my message.


Sincerely,

James Hescock

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