[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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