Imperial Rebirth Act

The Imperial Rebirth Act, also known simply as the Rebirth Act, was an act created by Senator Mon Mothma originally to reduce the authority of Emperor Sheev Palpatine of the Galactic Empire and give power to the Imperial Senate. While Mothma was unable to propose the act due to being injured in an attack, Senator Bail Organa proposed it on her behalf. While presenting the bill, Bail Organa used Saw Gerrera's attacks on Eyo-Dajuritz and Soujen Vak-Nhalis's attempted assassination on Emperor Palpatine as a scapegoat for the necessity of the bill while denouncing the former as a Onderonian extremist to portray himself as a supporter of the Empire.^[1]

According to Senator Mon Mothma, she claimed the bill clarified the new division of powers in an effort to stream-line decision making and guide future legislation but primarily was designed to secure the Imperial Senate's position and prevent executive overreach from Emperor Palpatine without formally embarrassing him. The bill also provided additional funds for support towards both Republic and former Separatist worlds in re-building efforts. As part of Mothma's negotiations with fellow senators and other influential figures, the bill incorporated several seemingly unrelated provisions—despite her earlier pledge to the Delegation of 2,000 that it would remain clean and straightforward. These additions included extensive clauses on droid labor laws that opposed elements of the Breksky-Oward bill, exemptions for Historically Recognized Royal Families, tariff-free import status for white membrosia “in recognition of the beverage’s unique cultural importance,” and assurances of continued employment for regional governors within a “robust and functioning” security apparatus. While the bill ultimately passed, Emperor Palpatine would veto much of the bill's provisions that would limit his power. Believing he did not have the executive power to veto portions of a Senate bill and thinking she could convince her allies to respond in kind, Mothma objected to Palpatine's plans when told of his response by Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, who responded by revealing all the ways in which the galaxy had been restructured to support Palpatine in the event of such a crisis.^[1]

The advocacy and passing of the bill secretly obscured Organa's secret investigation into the Jedi Order's framing and Bail's association with both during the investigation and his involvement in Eyo-Dajuritz but soured his relationship with Saw Gerrera, whose heroic reputation suffered, making him out as an Onderonian terrorist, planetary vandal, and made him the Galactic Empire's most wanted for a time.^[1][3] Gerrera also felt betrayed, having been willing to work with Organa despite their differences. Faced with the failure of Organa's investigation and the Rebirth Act, Mothma and Organa nonetheless would approach Gerrera for partnership,^[1] becoming the three major architects of the eventual Alliance to Restore the Republic.^[4]

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Appearances

• Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear (and audiobook) (First appearance)

Notes and references