[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 100 (Thursday, July 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ORDER OF BUSINESS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, another way to honor our veterans is to 
honor the men and women currently serving in our military. Yesterday, 
we did begin the Defense authorization bill. I do urge my colleagues to 
come to the Senate floor now, this morning, with their amendments. We 
must do so now in order to complete this bill. We will consider the 
legislation amendment by amendment, in an orderly way. It is my 
intention, in consultation with the bill manager, to file cloture on 
this bill in short order. That should send a strong signal that now is 
the time for people to come to the Chamber with their amendments.
  I also plan to offer an amendment to the Defense authorization bill 
to preserve our longstanding relationship between the Department of 
Defense and the Boy Scouts of America. This legislation is necessary--
it is unfortunate it is necessary, but it is necessary--to press back 
on the lawsuits that seek to sever the ties between our military, which 
has hosted the Boy Scout Jamboree on its bases, and the Boy Scouts of 
America.
  America's youth can learn so much from the men and women in uniform 
today: love of country, commitment to values, sacrifice for others. It 
is simply wrongheaded to conclude that Pentagon support of the Boy 
Scouts of America violates the establishment clause. It is time to 
return some common sense to the courts.
  On Monday, July 25, thousands of Scouts from all around the country 
will begin arriving at Fort AP Hill. Let's protect that relationship. 
We have an opportunity to do so. It is time for us to act.
  We will also be considering gun liability legislation before we 
leave. Given the profusion of litigation, the Department of Defense 
faces the very real prospect of outsourcing sidearms for our soldiers 
to foreign manufacturers. Let me repeat, given the amount, the 
profusion of litigation, the Department of Defense faces the real 
prospect of having to outsource sidearms for our soldiers to foreign 
manufacturers.
  The Baretta Corporation, for instance, makes the standard sidearm for 
the U.S. Armed Forces. They have the long-term contracts to supply 
these pistols to our forces in Iraq. Recently, the company had this to 
say:

       The decision of the D.C. Court of Appeals . . . has the 
     likelihood of bankrupting, not only Baretta U.S.A., but every 
     maker of semiautomatic pistols and rifles since 1991.

  Without this legislation, it is possible the American manufacturers 
of legal firearms will be faced with the real prospect of going out of 
business, ending a critical source of supply for our Armed Forces, our 
police, and our citizens.
  The legislation prohibits one narrow category of lawsuits: suits 
against the firearms industry for damages resulting from the criminal 
or unlawful misuse of a firearm or ammunition by a third party.
  Over two dozen lawsuits have been filed on a variety of theories, all 
seeking the same politically motivated goal: putting our industry out 
of business. This is wrong.
  These frivolous suits threaten a domestic industry that is critical 
to our national defense, jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs, and 
put at risk law-abiding citizens who have guns for recreational use.
  Many support this legislation, including the Fraternal Order of 
Police. I am hopeful, with the cooperation of Members, we can complete 
all action on this legislation before the recess.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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