President Medina has called legislators back to work. Senators and Congress members were scheduled to remain in recess until after the 27 February state of the nation and Independence Day speech. The beginning of the year was also marked by the unusual extension of New Year’s holiday into the Three Kings holiday. The extraordinary legislative session will last for 30 days starting on 13 January 2017.
The media has focused on the Penal Code that is awaiting review after it was again returned from the Presidency with a veto on the grounds of restrictive abortion clauses. There is speculation the intent is for the Congress to override the presidential veto. And it can, according to the Constitution.
The Dominican Constitution (articles 101, 102, 103) calls for the senators to discuss the bill in one sitting. The Constitution establishes that if after debate, two thirds of the members present in the house pass the bill again, the bill shall be sent to the Chamber of Deputies. If the Chamber of Deputies passes the bill with the same majority, the bill shall be published within ten days, and its publishing within another 10 days for it to become law. If these deadlines for enactment and publication are not met, the bill shall be deemed enacted and the president of the house of Congress that sent the bill to the Executive Branch shall have it published.
13 January 2017
