[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2671-H2674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GUN BAN REPEAL ACT OF 1995
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 388, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 388
Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution it
shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R.
125) to repeal the ban on semiautomatic assault weapons and
the ban on large capacity ammunition feeding devices. The
amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules
accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted.
The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for one hour equally
divided and controlled by Representative Chapman of Texas or
Representative Barr of Georgia and Representative Conyers of
Michigan or his designee. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, to final
passage without intervening motion except one motion to
recommit. The motion to recommit may include instructions
only if offered by the minority leader or his designee.
{time} 1030
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Taylor of North Carolina). The gentleman
from New York [Mr. Solomon] is recognized for 1 hour.
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost], pending
which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, during
consideration of the resolution, all time yielded is for purposes of
debate only.
(Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks and include extraneous material.)
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, this rule provides for the consideration of
the Gun Crime Enforcement and Second Amendment Restoration Act under a
closed rule. The amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the
report accompanying the rule is considered as adopted.
Now, Mr. Speaker, ordinarily I would favor a more open process, but
this particular bill presents issues which have been widely debated,
which every Member of this body understands thoroughly. Most Members
were familiar with the issues in this bill before they were even sworn
in as Members of the House. While this particular bill was not reported
by the Committee on the Judiciary, subcommittee hearings in the
Committee on the Judiciary were held on the subject of this bill,
extensive hearings.
This rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided
between the proponents and opponents. The proponents' time will be
controlled by the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Barr] and the gentleman
from Texas [Mr. Chapman] on a bipartisan basis, thus ensuring both
parties will be fairly represented. The time of the opponents will be
controlled by the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Conyers], the
ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary. In the Committee on
Rules the gentleman from Michigan agreed that he would provide half of
the time in opposition to the gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Shays]
and other Republicans, thus insuring an equal division of time among
the parties on both sides of this issue so we can be sure that this is
going to be a fair and open debate.
The rule also provides for a motion to recommit which, if containing
instructions, may only be offered by the minority leader, or his
designee. This means that the minority will have the opportunity to get
a vote on their best alternative proposal, and that is as it should be,
Mr. Speaker.
This is a fair rule which will allow the House to consider a highly
contentious issue in a balanced way and still enable Members to have
time to return to their districts in time to meet with their
constituents this weekend, and it is an important weekend coming up.
It is no secret that I have long been a proponent of the right of
law-abiding citizens to have firearms to protect themselves, which is
especially important in rural areas such as the 10,000 square miles in
rural New York that I represent. It has frequently been said that guns
do not commit crimes, people commit those crimes, and when people
commit crimes, no matter what the weapon, we should throw the book at
them, and that is what this bill does.
This bill does two things. It increases the penalties on those
lawbreakers who use guns in the course of violent Federal crime or
Federal drug traffic offenses, and it also contains provisions
repealing the ineffective ban on certain semiautomatic weapons.
Mr. Speaker, the ban on certain semiautomatic weapons has not been
[[Page H2672]]
effective in stopping crime anywhere in this country. No one has been
prosecuted under the 1\1/2\-year-old statute that banned magazines, and
fewer than three people have been prosecuted for violating the States'
semiautomatic firearms ban. Think about that. More than 85 percent of
the semiautomatic firearms banned under the 1994 law are rifles, the
type of firearms least likely to be used in the commission of any
crime. According to FBI uniform crime reports, rifles of any
description, including those the law defines as so-called assault
weapons, are used in, listen to this, less than 3 percent of homicides
every year, less than 3 percent. In other words it is totally
irrelevant.
Banning guns does not reduce violent crime. Prosecuting violent
criminals and putting them behind bars is the only proven method for
controlling violent crime. Historically throughout the history of this
country that is true. States with the highest increases in imprisonment
rates are among the States with the greatest decreases in violent
crime. That is a fact. And those jurisdictions with the most
restrictive gun controls, like right here in Washington, DC, continue
to register the highest per capita homicide rates, the most murders
than anywhere else in the Nation.
Mr. Speaker, the inescapable conclusion is that the way to stop crime
is to put the criminals in prison, not take away from law-abiding
citizens the right to defend themselves from criminals. Therefore, I
would ask for a yes vote on the previous question on this rule, a yes
vote on adoption of the rule, so that the House may proceed
expeditiously to consider the Gun Crime Enforcement and Second
Amendment Restoration Act. That is what we are here to do today, we
have a commitment to bring this bill to the floor, and, regardless how
my colleagues feel about it, it lets them vote their own conscience.
That is what this bill is all about.
THE AMENDMENT PROCESS UNDER SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE,\1\ 103D CONGRESS V. 104TH CONGRESS
[As of March 21, 1996]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103d Congress 104th Congress
Rule type ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of rules Percent of total Number of rules Percent of total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open/Modified-open \2\.............. 46 44 59 60
Modified Closed \3\................. 49 47 24 25
Closed \4\.......................... 9 9 15 15
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 104 100 98 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This table applies only to rules which provide for the original consideration of bills, joint resolutions or
budget resolutions and which provide for an amendment process. It does not apply to special rules which only
waive points of order against appropriations bills which are already privileged and are considered under an
open amendment process under House rules.
\2\ An open rule is one under which any Member may offer a germane amendment under the five-minute rule. A
modified open rule is one under which any Member may offer a germane amendment under the five-minute rule
subject only to an overall time limit on the amendment process and/or a requirement that the amendment be
preprinted in the Congressional Record.
\3\ A modified closed rule is one under which the Rules Committee limits the amendments that may be offered only
to those amendments designated in the special rule or the Rules Committee report to accompany it, or which
preclude amendments to a particular portion of a bill, even though the rest of the bill may be completely open
to amendment.
\4\ A closed rule is one under which no amendments may be offered (other than amendments recommended by the
committee in reporting the bill).
SPECIAL RULES REPORTED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE, 104TH CONGRESS
[As of March 21, 1996]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disposition of
H. Res. No. (Date rept.) Rule type Bill No. Subject rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Res. 38 (1/18/95)........... O................ H.R. 5........... Unfunded Mandate A: 350-71 (1/19/
Reform. 95).
H. Res. 44 (1/24/95)........... MC............... H. Con. Res. 17.. Social Security....... A: 255-172 (1/25/
H.J. Res. 1...... Balanced Budget Amdt.. 95).
H. Res. 51 (1/31/95)........... O................ H.R. 101......... Land Transfer, Taos A: voice vote (2/
Pueblo Indians. 1/95).
H. Res. 52 (1/31/95)........... O................ H.R. 400......... Land Exchange, Arctic A: voice vote (2/
Nat'l. Park and 1/95).
Preserve.
H. Res. 53 (1/31/95)........... O................ H.R. 440......... Land Conveyance, Butte A: voice vote (2/
County, Calif. 1/95).
H. Res. 55 (2/1/95)............ O................ H.R. 2........... Line Item Veto........ A: voice vote (2/
2/95).
H. Res. 60 (2/6/95)............ O................ H.R. 665......... Victim Restitution.... A: voice vote (2/
7/95).
H. Res. 61 (2/6/95)............ O................ H.R. 666......... Exclusionary Rule A: voice vote (2/
Reform. 7/95).
H. Res. 63 (2/8/95)............ MO............... H.R. 667......... Violent Criminal A: voice vote (2/
Incarceration. 9/95).
H. Res. 69 (2/9/95)............ O................ H.R. 668......... Criminal Alien A: voice vote (2/
Deportation. 10/95).
H. Res. 79 (2/10/95)........... MO............... H.R. 728......... Law Enforcement Block A: voice vote (2/
Grants. 13/95).
H. Res. 83 (2/13/95)........... MO............... H.R. 7........... National Security PQ: 229-100; A:
Revitalization. 227-127 (2/15/
95).
H. Res. 88 (2/16/95)........... MC............... H.R. 831......... Health Insurance PQ: 230-191; A:
Deductibility. 229-188 (2/21/
95).
H. Res. 91 (2/21/95)........... O................ H.R. 830......... Paperwork Reduction A: voice vote (2/
Act. 22/95).
H. Res. 92 (2/21/95)........... MC............... H.R. 889......... Defense Supplemental.. A: 282-144 (2/22/
95).
H. Res. 93 (2/22/95)........... MO............... H.R. 450......... Regulatory Transition A: 252-175 (2/23/
Act. 95).
H. Res. 96 (2/24/95)........... MO............... H.R. 1022........ Risk Assessment....... A: 253-165 (2/27/
95).
H. Res. 100 (2/27/95).......... O................ H.R. 926......... Regulatory Reform and A: voice vote (2/
Relief Act. 28/95).
H. Res. 101 (2/28/95).......... MO............... H.R. 925......... Private Property A: 271-151 (3/2/
Protection Act. 95).
H. Res. 103 (3/3/95)........... MO............... H.R. 1058........ Securities Litigation .................
Reform.
H. Res. 104 (3/3/95)........... MO............... H.R. 988......... Attorney A: voice vote (3/
Accountability Act. 6/95).
H. Res. 105 (3/6/95)........... MO............... ................. ...................... A: 257-155 (3/7/
95).
H. Res. 108 (3/7/95)........... Debate........... H.R. 956......... Product Liability A: voice vote (3/
Reform. 8/95).
H. Res. 109 (3/8/95)........... MC............... ................. ...................... PQ: 234-191 A:
247-181 (3/9/
95).
H. Res. 115 (3/14/95).......... MO............... H.R. 1159........ Making Emergency Supp. A: 242-190 (3/15/
Approps. 95).
H. Res. 116 (3/15/95).......... MC............... H.J. Res. 73..... Term Limits Const. A: voice vote (3/
Amdt. 28/95).
H. Res. 117 (3/16/95).......... Debate........... H.R. 4........... Personal A: voice vote (3/
Responsibility Act of 21/95).
1995.
H. Res. 119 (3/21/95).......... MC............... ................. ...................... A: 217-211 (3/22/
95).
H. Res. 125 (4/3/95)........... O................ H.R. 1271........ Family Privacy A: 423-1 (4/4/
Protection Act. 95).
H. Res. 126 (4/3/95)........... O................ H.R. 660......... Older Persons Housing A: voice vote (4/
Act. 6/95).
H. Res. 128 (4/4/95)........... MC............... H.R. 1215........ Contract With America A: 228-204 (4/5/
Tax Relief Act of 95).
1995.
H. Res. 130 (4/5/95)........... MC............... H.R. 483......... Medicare Select A: 253-172 (4/6/
Expansion. 95).
H. Res. 136 (5/1/95)........... O................ H.R. 655......... Hydrogen Future Act of A: voice vote (5/
1995. 2/95).
H. Res. 139 (5/3/95)........... O................ H.R. 1361........ Coast Guard Auth. FY A: voice vote (5/
1996. 9/95).
H. Res. 140 (5/9/95)........... O................ H.R. 961......... Clean Water Amendments A: 414-4 (5/10/
95).
H. Res. 144 (5/11/95).......... O................ H.R. 535......... Fish Hatchery-- A: voice vote (5/
Arkansas. 15/95).
H. Res. 145 (5/11/95).......... O................ H.R. 584......... Fish Hatchery--Iowa... A: voice vote (5/
15/95).
H. Res. 146 (5/11/95).......... O................ H.R. 614......... Fish Hatchery-- A: voice vote (5/
Minnesota. 15/95).
H. Res. 149 (5/16/95).......... MC............... H. Con. Res. 67.. Budget Resolution FY PQ: 252-170 A:
1996. 255-168 (5/17/
95).
H. Res. 155 (5/22/95).......... MO............... H.R. 1561........ American Overseas A: 233-176 (5/23/
Interests Act. 95).
H. Res. 164 (6/8/95)........... MC............... H.R. 1530........ Nat. Defense Auth. FY PQ: 225-191 A:
1996. 233-183 (6/13/
95).
H. Res. 167 (6/15/95).......... O................ H.R. 1817........ MilCon Appropriations PQ: 223-180 A:
FY 1996. 245-155 (6/16/
95).
H. Res. 169 (6/19/95).......... MC............... H.R. 1854........ Leg. Branch Approps. PQ: 232-196 A:
FY 1996. 236-191 (6/20/
95).
H. Res. 170 (6/20/95).......... O................ H.R. 1868........ For. Ops. Approps. FY PQ: 221-178 A:
1996. 217-175 (6/22/
95).
H. Res. 171 (6/22/95).......... O................ H.R. 1905........ Energy & Water A: voice vote (7/
Approps. FY 1996. 12/95).
H. Res. 173 (6/27/95).......... C................ H.J. Res. 79..... Flag Constitutional PQ: 258-170 A:
Amendment. 271-152 (6/28/
95).
H. Res. 176 (6/28/95).......... MC............... H.R. 1944........ Emer. Supp. Approps... PQ: 236-194 A:
234-192 (6/29/
95).
H. Res. 185 (7/11/95).......... O................ H.R. 1977........ Interior Approps. FY PQ: 235-193 D:
1996. 192-238 (7/12/
95).
H. Res. 187 (7/12/95).......... O................ H.R. 1977........ Interior Approps. FY PQ: 230-194 A:
1996 #2. 229-195 (7/13/
95).
H. Res. 188 (7/12/95).......... O................ H.R. 1976........ Agriculture Approps. PQ: 242-185 A:
FY 1996. voice vote (7/18/
95).
H. Res. 190 (7/17/95).......... O................ H.R. 2020........ Treasury/Postal PQ: 232-192 A:
Approps. FY 1996. voice vote (7/18/
95).
H. Res. 193 (7/19/95).......... C................ H.J. Res. 96..... Disapproval of MFN to A: voice vote (7/
China. 20/95).
H. Res. 194 (7/19/95).......... O................ H.R. 2002........ Transportation PQ: 217-202 (7/21/
Approps. FY 1996. 95).
H. Res. 197 (7/21/95).......... O................ H.R. 70.......... Exports of Alaskan A: voice vote (7/
Crude Oil. 24/95).
H. Res. 198 (7/21/95).......... O................ H.R. 2076........ Commerce, State A: voice vote (7/
Approps. FY 1996. 25/95).
H. Res. 201 (7/25/95).......... O................ H.R. 2099........ VA/HUD Approps. FY A: 230-189 (7/25/
1996. 95).
H. Res. 204 (7/28/95).......... MC............... S. 21............ Terminating U.S. Arms A: voice vote (8/
Embargo on Bosnia. 1/95).
H. Res. 205 (7/28/95).......... O................ H.R. 2126........ Defense Approps. FY A: 409-1 (7/31/
1996. 95).
H. Res. 207 (8/1/95)........... MC............... H.R. 1555........ Communications Act of A: 255-156 (8/2/
1995. 95).
H. Res. 208 (8/1/95)........... O................ H.R. 2127........ Labor, HHS Approps. FY A: 323-104 (8/2/
1996. 95).
[[Page H2673]]
H. Res. 215 (9/7/95)........... O................ H.R. 1594........ Economically Targeted A: voice vote (9/
Investments. 12/95).
H. Res. 216 (9/7/95)........... MO............... H.R. 1655........ Intelligence A: voice vote (9/
Authorization FY 1996. 12/95).
H. Res. 218 (9/12/95).......... O................ H.R. 1162........ Deficit Reduction A: voice vote (9/
Lockbox. 13/95).
H. Res. 219 (9/12/95).......... O................ H.R. 1670........ Federal Acquisition A: 414-0 (9/13/
Reform Act. 95).
H. Res. 222 (9/18/95).......... O................ H.R. 1617........ CAREERS Act........... A: 388-2 (9/19/
95).
H. Res. 224 (9/19/95).......... O................ H.R. 2274........ Natl. Highway System.. PQ: 241-173 A:
375-39-1 (9/20/
95).
H. Res. 225 (9/19/95).......... MC............... H.R. 927......... Cuban Liberty & Dem. A: 304-118 (9/20/
Solidarity. 95).
H. Res. 226 (9/21/95).......... O................ H.R. 743......... Team Act.............. A: 344-66-1 (9/27/
95).
H. Res. 227 (9/21/95).......... O................ H.R. 1170........ 3-Judge Court......... A: voice vote (9/
28/95).
H. Res. 228 (9/21/95).......... O................ H.R. 1601........ Internatl. Space A: voice vote (9/
Station. 27/95).
H. Res. 230 (9/27/95).......... C................ H.J. Res. 108.... Continuing Resolution A: voice vote (9/
FY 1996. 28/95).
H. Res. 234 (9/29/95).......... O................ H.R. 2405........ Omnibus Science Auth.. A: voice vote (10/
11/95).
H. Res. 237 (10/17/95)......... MC............... H.R. 2259........ Disapprove Sentencing A: voice vote (10/
Guidelines. 18/95).
H. Res. 238 (10/18/95)......... MC............... H.R. 2425........ Medicare Preservation PQ: 231-194 A:
Act. 227-192 (10/19/
95).
H. Res. 239 (10/19/95)......... C................ H.R. 2492........ Leg. Branch Approps... PQ: 235-184 A:
voice vote (10/
31/95).
H. Res. 245 (10/25/95)......... MC............... H. Con. Res. 109. Social Security PQ: 228-191 A:
H.R. 2491........ Earnings Reform. 235-185 (10/26/
Seven-Year Balanced 95).
Budget.
H. Res. 251 (10/31/95)......... C................ H.R. 1833........ Partial Birth Abortion A: 237-190 (11/1/
Ban. 95).
H. Res. 252 (10/31/95)......... MO............... H.R. 2546........ D.C. Approps.......... A: 241-181 (11/1/
95).
H. Res. 257 (11/7/95).......... C................ H.J. Res. 115.... Cont. Res. FY 1996.... A: 216-210 (11/8/
95).
H. Res. 258 (11/8/95).......... MC............... H.R. 2586........ Debt Limit............ A: 220-200 (11/10/
95).
H. Res. 259 (11/9/95).......... O................ H.R. 2539........ ICC Termination Act... A: voice vote (11/
14/95).
H. Res. 261 (11/9/95).......... C................ H.J. Res. 115.... Cont. Resolution...... A: 223-182 (11/10/
95).
H. Res. 262 (11/9/95).......... C................ H.R. 2586........ Increase Debt Limit... A: 220-185 (11/10/
95).
H. Res. 269 (11/15/95)......... O................ H.R. 2564........ Lobbying Reform....... A: voice vote (11/
16/95).
H. Res. 270 (11/15/95)......... C................ H.J. Res. 122.... Further Cont. A: 229-176 (11/15/
Resolution. 95).
H. Res. 273 (11/16/95)......... MC............... H.R. 2606........ Prohibition on Funds A: 239-181 (11/17/
for Bosnia. 95).
H. Res. 284 (11/29/95)......... O................ H.R. 1788........ Amtrak Reform......... A: voice vote (11/
30/95).
H. Res. 287 (11/30/95)......... O................ H.R. 1350........ Maritime Security Act. A: voice vote (12/
6/95).
H. Res. 293 (12/7/95).......... C................ H.R. 2621........ Protect Federal Trust PQ: 223-183 A:
Funds. 228-184 (12/14/
95).
H. Res. 303 (12/13/95)......... O................ H.R. 1745........ Utah Public Lands.....
H. Res. 309 (12/18/95)......... C................ H.Con. Res. 122.. Budget Res. W/ PQ: 230-188 A:
President. 229-189 (12/19/
95).
H. Res. 313 (12/19/95)......... O................ H.R. 558......... Texas Low-Level A: voice vote (12/
Radioactive. 20/95).
H. Res. 323 (12/21/95)......... C................ H.R. 2677........ Natl. Parks & Wildlife Tabled (2/28/96).
Refuge.
H. Res. 366 (2/27/96).......... MC............... H.R. 2854........ Farm Bill............. PQ: 228-182 A:
244-168 (2/28/
96).
H. Res. 368 (2/28/96).......... O................ H.R. 994......... Small Business Growth. .................
H. Res. 371 (3/6/96)........... C................ H.R. 3021........ Debt Limit Increase... A: voice vote (3/
7/96).
H. Res. 372 (3/6/96)........... MC............... H.R. 3019........ Cont. Approps. FY 1996 PQ: voice vote A:
235-175 (3/7/
96).
H. Res. 380 (3/12/96).......... MC............... H.R. 2703........ Effective Death A: 251-157 (3/13/
Penalty. 96).
H. Res. 384 (3/14/96).......... MC............... H.R. 2202........ Immigration........... PQ: 233-152 A:
voice vote (3/19/
96)
H. Res. 386 (3/20/96).......... C................ H.J. Res. 165.... Further Cont. Approps. PQ: 234-187 A:
237-183 (3/21/
96)
H. Res. 388 (3/21/96).......... C................ H.R. 125......... Gun Crime Enforcement. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Codes: O-open rule; MO-modified open rule; MC-modified closed rule; C-closed rule; A-adoption vote; D-defeated;
PQ-previous question vote. Source: Notices of Action Taken, Committee on Rules, 104th Congress.
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, when the Committee on Rules met yesterday afternoon to
consider this rule, I made two points I feel are worth repeating here
for the benefit of all Members of the House.
The first point relates directly to the consideration of the ban on
assault weapons. In the 103d Congress, I believe a serious error was
made when the House was not given the opportunity to take a final up or
down vote on this issue. Given the controversy surrounding issues
relating to gun ownership, these issues should be addressed directly,
not buried in other legislative proposals, as was the assault weapon
ban in 1994. Consequently, the desire of a great many Members to have a
direct vote on this issue is understandable.
However, it is how we are getting to this direct vote that I find
peculiar and out of the ordinary. I noted yesterday afternoon that it
is unusual, though not unheard of, for the Committee on Rules to take
legislation away from a committee with jurisdiction and report it
directly to the floor. Section 34.1 of chapter 17 of Deschler's
specifically grants the Committee on Rules that authority and this
procedure was indeed used when Democrats were in the majority. In fact,
our tally shows that 15 percent of the rules reported during the 103d
Congress governed the debate on bills which had not been reported from
their committee of jurisdiction.
But, I am concerned that the Republican majority has adopted this
practice for the consideration of nearly every legislative proposal
that is brought to the full House. In this session, 75 percent of the
bills we have voted on have not been reported from committee of
jurisdiction. In other words, no votes have been taken in the committee
or committees of jurisdiction on three-quarters of the bills considered
by the House this session.
The Republican leadership would do well to read this small pamphlet
entitled ``How Our Laws Are Made.'' Every office has copies. They are
used to send as educational materials for schools and citizens who are
interested in the legislative process. The language is not hard to
understand. Please let me read a pertinent passage:
Perhaps the most important phase of the congressional
process is the action by committees. That is where the most
intensive consideration is given to the proposed measures . .
.
This short book goes on to describe committee deliberation, committee
voting, the preparation of committee reports, and how that committee
action and those reports are used as part of the legislative history of
bills which later become laws. This book neatly sums up the
accountability directly attributable to the committee process.
But, Mr. Speaker, in the direction we are heading, it seems that the
Rules Committee will be the only committee in the remainder of the
104th Congress. All other committees will be irrelevant. Mr. Speaker,
if that is the intention of the Republican majority, it might be
necessary for the House to reprint this small pamphlet to reflect the
new Republican realities.
In closing, let me say that because there is no committee report to
reflect the debate in the committee of jurisdiction, I believe it is
vitally important that all sides of this issue be allowed an
opportunity to speak. Consequently, it is my intention to yield time to
Democrats who both support and oppose this rule and who both support
and oppose this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York [Mr.
Schumer].
(Mr. SCHUMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule.
This is a shameful day in this House. This rule adds little glory. No
hearings, no committee votes, only 1 hour of debate on one of the most
important issues that will affect us. This assault weapons ban was
brought to the floor faster than a Uzi's bullet.
Why? It was brought to the floor so quickly so the Nation will not
see it coming.
Today Speaker Gingrich is launching a sneak attack, and the American
people are being ambushed. Seventy-five percent of all Americans do not
want Uzis. They do not want AK-47's. They do not want any of these
killing machines on American streets.
But we will not have a chance to debate that in full. One hour of
debate on this, one of the most important issues we will grapple with?
I have great respect for my colleague from New York, and I think he is
a fair, fine gentleman, but this is not one of his finest hours.
No one in America is fooled by a few extra sections in the bill. As
the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost] said,
[[Page H2674]]
the Committee on Rules wrote this bill. We may as well not have
committee hearings, and we did not have committee hearings.
Some say we had hearings. The two hearings that the opposition is
pointing to were held before this bill or its predecessor bill was even
introduced. There have been no hearings, none, not one, in this
Congress on the assault weapon ban repeal, and the rule is more fitting
of a dictatorship than a democracy.
Speaker Gingrich is launching this sneak attack for one simple
reason, because he knows the American people vehemently disagree with
him, but he must kiss the ring of the NRA, and thus we have this
shameful, shameful, shameful procedure.
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I proudly yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Georgia [Mr. Barr], a freshman Member of this body and one of the
major sponsors of this legislation, along with the gentleman from Texas
[Mr. Chapman], a Democrat.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, my esteemed colleague from New York talks about a sneak
attack so that the people will not see it coming. People in this body
know that the gentleman from New York [Mr. Schumer] sees these things
coming even when they are not coming. He knows fully when they are
coming up, how they are coming up, and he marshals his forces better
than any Member of this Congress when these issues come up.
This is hardly a sneak attack. This is an issue, Mr. Speaker, that
the American people know. This is an issue, Mr. Speaker, that every
Member of this body, every one of the 435 Members of this body, every
one of the 100 members of the other body, know backwards, and they know
it forwards, they know it sideways. There is no single issue in this
104th Congress, or the 103d, or the 102d, Mr. Speaker, that is more
well known, more fully debated than the issue of how to protect
American citizens against crimes involving firearms.
The rule that the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon] has come
forward with, Mr. Speaker, has itself been fully debated. The issue has
been fully debated at hearings.
My colleague from New York expresses great surprise and dismay that
the bill which we are considering here today may have been introduced
after the hearings. Mr. Speaker, is that not the best time to introduce
a bill, after there have been hearings on the issue so that the bill
can be crafted, fine-tuned and honed so that it reflects the input from
citizens and from interest groups and from other Members as this
legislation does?
The procedures in which we are about to embark today, Mr. Speaker,
have been fully aired, are being fully aired, in the hallways, in this
Chamber, in committee rooms, and in homes all across America. It is
high time that this body stood up unafraid, unabashed, undefensive and
said there is a better way to protect American citizens, to make sure
that those people who cry out for protection are indeed protected. It
is this legislation.
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