[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4482-H4497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 524, 
    COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY ACT OF 2016; AND FOR OTHER 
                                PURPOSES

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 809 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 809

       Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be 
     in order to consider the conference report to accompany the 
     bill (S. 524) to authorize the Attorney General to

[[Page H4483]]

     award grants to address the national epidemics of 
     prescription opioid abuse and heroin use. All points of order 
     against the conference report and against its consideration 
     are waived. The conference report shall be considered as 
     read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on 
     the conference report to its adoption without intervening 
     motion except: (1) one hour of debate; and (2) one motion to 
     recommit if applicable.
       Sec. 2.  Upon adoption of this resolution--
        (a) the House shall be considered to have: (1) taken from 
     the Speaker's table the bill (S. 2943) to authorize 
     appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
     of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and 
     for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to 
     prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, 
     and for other purposes; (2) stricken all after the enacting 
     clause of such bill and inserted in lieu thereof the 
     provisions of H.R. 4909, as passed by the House; and (3) 
     passed the Senate bill as so amended; and
       (b) it shall be in order for the chair of the Committee on 
     Armed Services or his designee to move that the House insist 
     on its amendment to S. 2943 and request a conference with the 
     Senate thereon.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama is recognized for 
1 hour.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the 
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Polis), 
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During 
consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose 
of debate only.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BYRNE. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 
legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Alabama?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 809 facilitates the process 
to allow us to go to conference with the Senate on the National Defense 
Authorization Act. The resolution also provides for consideration of a 
conference report related to our efforts to combat the opioid crisis 
that is wreaking havoc in communities all across the United States.
  I want to talk first about the need to get to conference with the 
Senate on the National Defense Authorization Act. For 54 straight 
years, the House and Senate have come together to fulfill our most 
important responsibility: to provide for the common defense.
  My colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk a lot about regular 
order. Well, there is no greater example of regular order than the 
National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation has gone from the 
subcommittee level to the full committee, to the full bodies of both 
Houses; and now we need to continue the process by allowing for this 
House to enter into negotiations with the Senate.
  Between the House and the Senate, hundreds of amendments have been 
adopted to this legislation. Members from both sides of the aisle have 
had an opportunity to have their input on this legislation, and the 
separate bills passed both by the House and the Senate have bipartisan 
support.
  Now, there are some differences between the House and the Senate 
versions of the National Defense Authorization Act, and that is why we 
have to have the conference committee process. This will allow us to 
iron out our differences.
  As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I can personally attest 
to just how important it is we get a strong, reform-based NDAA signed 
into law this year.
  Our military is in the midst of a readiness crisis. Aircraft cannot 
fly due to maintenance issues. There are even reports of mechanics 
having to take parts off of planes inside museums in an effort to 
repair damaged aircraft.
  Think about that for a minute. The United States, home to the 
greatest fighting force on the face of the Earth, is having to use 
plane parts from museums in an effort to keep some of our aircraft 
operational. That is simply stunning.
  And readiness is so important these days given the serious threat 
posed by radical Islamic terrorism. Every morning, it seems we wake up 
to reports of another attack. Whether it is in Bangladesh, Baghdad, 
Istanbul, Kabul, Saudi Arabia, or right here in Orlando, or San 
Bernardino, these attacks just reinforce the fact that radical Islamic 
terrorism must be defeated.
  The NDAA is also important because it is a great opportunity to put 
reforms in place at the Pentagon. Whether it is reducing bureaucratic 
obstacles, improving military health care, or updating the command 
structure, the NDAA is the perfect tool to ensure efficiency and 
effectiveness from the Pentagon.
  So I hope my colleagues from both sides of the aisle will join me in 
voting to get us to conference so we can keep the streak alive of 
passing a strong NDAA each year.
  The other portion of this rule provides for consideration of the 
conference report dealing with the opioid crisis.
  I recently heard a story of a young man from southwest Alabama who 
suffered an injury playing sports. He was prescribed opioid-based pain 
medication by his doctor, but, unfortunately, he became addicted. Next 
thing he knew, his addiction had spiraled out of control and he found 
himself using heroin. Ultimately, he became seriously ill.
  Thankfully, this young man was able to enter a treatment program and 
receive help, but not everyone who suffers from opioid addiction is so 
fortunate.
  Studies show that approximately 46,000 Americans die because of a 
drug overdose each year. That number adds up to over 130 deaths a day. 
Tragically, young Americans are disproportionately impacted.
  One of the worst things about opioid abuse is that it can start so 
innocently. Whether it is a high school athlete who suffers an injury 
or an individual who undergoes a medical procedure as simple as dental 
work, no American is immune from this tragedy.
  That is why this legislation is so very important. It authorizes new 
programs and reforms others to ensure that those struggling with opioid 
addition can get the help that they need.
  The bill includes new grants to States to carry out comprehensive 
opioid abuse responses with education, treatment, and recovery efforts, 
and prescription drug monitoring programs.
  The bill also has multiple provisions dealing with prevention, 
including a new intergovernmental task force to identify, review, and, 
as appropriate, determine whether there are gaps or inconsistencies 
between best practices for chronic and acute pain management.
  Treatment and recovery are also a priority, with reforms to multiple 
existing grant programs and a new grant program to provide grants to 
community organizations to develop, expand, and enhance recovery 
services and build connections between recovery networks, including 
physicians, the criminal justice system, and employers.

                              {time}  1245

  The bill also helps women, families, and veterans. This includes 
reauthorization of a grant program for residential treatment for 
pregnant and postpartum women who have an opioid abuse disorder and a 
new pilot program to enhance the flexibility of funds so States can 
more broadly support family-based services for pregnant and postpartum 
women and their children.
  Moreover, this bill contains other commonsense reforms such as 
clarifying that pharmacists coordinating with a doctor and patient may 
not fill the entire amount of a prescription for a Schedule II 
substance, such as opioids.
  Mr. Speaker, these are just some of the numerous and important pieces 
of this legislation. I am pleased to report that 200 different 
organizations from every corner of our country have already come out in 
support of this conference report.
  Now, this bill probably doesn't do everything that every Member would 
like for it to do. In my time up here, I have yet to see a perfect 
bill. But this is a good bill, and I honestly doubt there is anything 
in this bill that my colleagues disagree with.
  I understand some of my colleagues have concerns over funding, but 
let me remind my colleagues about the important distinction between 
appropriations and authorizing. This bill authorizes programs to 
address the opioid crisis. The Appropriations Committee has made clear 
that they are going to do everything that they can to provide funding 
for these programs, and I take them at their word. But putting funding 
in an authorization bill is not the proper way to address this issue.

[[Page H4484]]

  Mr. Speaker, I worry we are seeing a larger issue here that started 
with the Zika virus legislation a few weeks ago. My colleagues on the 
other side demand action on issues, the process plays out, the House 
and Senate work together on legislation, and then my colleagues on the 
other side announce their opposition to very similar bills to the ones 
they previously supported.
  Let's not forget that the House passed our opioid legislation by a 
vote of 400-5, and the Senate passed their bill by a vote of 94-1. 
Neither of those bills included funding. So it is stunning that now 
many of my colleagues on the other side say that they are going to 
oppose this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I worry that this is about politics instead of policy. I 
fear that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want an issue to 
debate on the campaign trail instead of actual solutions to the 
problems facing our country.
  I sincerely hope that that is not the case because the American 
people deserve better than that. They can turn on their TVs every night 
and get enough political theater. But here in this body we should rise 
above that temptation and actually work on solutions.
  The minority will not get everything they want. That is the nature of 
compromise, and that is the realty of being in the minority. But this 
has been a truly bipartisan process, and I hope it will not fall victim 
to political grandstanding.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 809 and 
the underlying legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule today providing for 
consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 
2017, a bill that the President has said he would veto, and the 
conference report to accompany S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and 
Recovery Act of 2016. Many of us support the underlying bill, but, 
unfortunately, it doesn't allow for--despite nine times having funding 
being waived--any funding to deal with defeating the cycle of addiction 
or the health issues around opioid abuse. So while it is an innocuous 
bill and might help a little bit, it is in no way commensurate with the 
challenge that families across our country face in dealing with opioid 
addiction.
  Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an 
amendment to the rule that would require the House to consider the 
bipartisan no fly, no buy legislation which would bar the sale of 
firearms and explosives to those on the FBI's terrorist watch list.
  My amendment would not prevent the House from considering either of 
the underlying measures of this rule. It would simply give the House an 
opportunity to finally vote on keeping terrorists from assembling 
arsenals of weapons legally in our country.
  Mr. Speaker, we can't wait any longer for Congress to take meaningful 
action.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the 
amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately 
prior to the vote on the previous question.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POLIS. Without question, the NDAA is a very important and serious 
bill. However, the bill before us today is one that the President has 
said he would veto. I have argued on this floor in an amendment that I 
supported a 1 percent cut to the authorization levels. By spending more 
on the military than we can afford as a country and plunging ourselves 
deeper into debt, we make ourselves less secure, not more secure. By 
making ourselves economically beholden to countries like China and 
Saudi Arabia, we are less secure rather than more secure. Frankly, this 
bill is more of the same, and if it passes and were to become law--
which it won't because the President would veto it--it would also make 
it less secure.
  But this rule and this day it is notable for what we are not doing 
rather than what we are doing. We are not under this rule considering 
two simple, plain, commonsense pieces of legislation that everybody 
knows will help protect American lives and prevent terrorist attacks in 
our Nation. One is simply to require a background check when a person 
obtains a gun. Another would prevent terrorists from assembling 
arsenals of weapons.
  In my home State of Colorado, we already have universal background 
checks, and they have led to law enforcement arresting 114 fugitives 
since the beginning of the year.
  It is our duty to simply vote on these bills that strengthen and 
enhance our Second Amendment rights by ensuring that law-abiding gun 
owners will continue to be able to purchase guns and keeping guns out 
of the hands of violent criminals and those who don't have the legal 
right to own them. Both of these bills do this, and each has over 100 
cosponsors, including Members on both sides of the aisle.
  As we stand here today, we are still reeling from the deadliest mass 
shooting in our country's history nearly 1 month ago. Pulse nightclub 
in Orlando was a targeted act of terror against the gay community, our 
allies, and the entire Nation.
  In my home State of Colorado, we have been hard hit with mass 
shootings: Columbine, Aurora, and the Planned Parenthood center in 
Colorado Springs to name a few. It is time for action, and the simple, 
commonsense measures before us offer a good first step to ensure that 
we get that done.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) for 
the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor 
the memory of Xavier Arnold, a victim of gun violence who never ever 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the gentleman from 
California----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will suspend for one moment.
  The Chair would advise that all time has been yielded for the purpose 
of debate only.
  Does the gentleman from Alabama yield for the purpose of this 
unanimous consent request?
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my earlier announcement that all 
time yielded is for the purpose of debate only, and I will not yield 
for any other purpose.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama does not yield; 
therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thompson) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation to honor the memory of Kelly Russler; Jayden, her son, and 
Laing, her son; victims of gun violence who never received a moment of 
silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama has not yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. 
Kelly) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. She is a leader 
on the issue of reducing gun violence.
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring 
up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background check legislation to 
honor the memory of Serge Pierre Dumas, a victim of gun violence who 
never received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama has not yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. I ask the gentleman from Alabama: How many of us have to 
come down requesting this until you grant it?
  Well, your silence speaks words.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Hahn) 
for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation in honor of the 
memory of my friend, Michele Love, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.

[[Page H4485]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama has not yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut 
(Ms. Esty) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. She is a 
leader on the issue of reducing gun violence.
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation in honor of 
Elizabeth Janie Woods, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
single moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama has not yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Judy Chu) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation to honor the memory of Trooper Chad P. Dermyer, a victim of 
gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama has not yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Lee) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor the 
memory of Jamie Wilson, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama has not yielded for that purpose; therefore, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al 
Green) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring 
up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to 
honor the memory of Mr. Rayland ``Ray Ray'' Maryland, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama how many people we need to have more come down here until our 
request is granted?


                         Parliamentary Inquiry

  Mr. BYRNE. May I ask the Chair if I am on the time of the gentleman 
from Colorado in answering his question?
  Mr. POLIS. You are. It is my time. I am yielding for an answer.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado is speaking on 
his time.
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, the parliamentary inquiry in his 
asking about the time should not be detracted from my time, so that, as 
well as this, need to be subtracted.
  Now, we go back to my time, and I yield to the gentleman to ask him 
how many people we need to come down here so we can have our vote?
  Mr. BYRNE. We are here today to consider----
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, that is not an answer. It is a simple 
question with a number.
  I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for the purpose of 
a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor 
the memory of Davon Jones, a victim of gun violence who never received 
a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. 
Schakowsky) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor the memory 
of Dajae Coleman from my district, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. 
Edwards) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor 
the memory of Keiwuan Murray, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Moulton) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. MOULTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor 
the memory of Dana Rhoden, a victim of gun violence who never received 
a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Michael F. Doyle) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background 
checks legislation to honor the memory of Gino Nicholas, a victim of 
gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I just received devastating news in a story 
that was just broken by Politico: House Republicans indefinitely delay 
gun control votes. They have indefinitely postponed a vote on the 
antiterrorism package leaving Congress with no legislative response to 
last month's massacre in Orlando.

                              {time}  1300

  I would hope that this new information will lead the gentleman from 
Alabama to consider this very important request from my colleague, Mr. 
Huffman.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) 
for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Tanya Skeen, a victim of gun violence who never received 
a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, given the new information that I entered, 
with regard to what has just broke a the Politico article, I think it 
would be important to hear from Mr. Byrne again about whether he would 
entertain a unanimous consent request at this time, understanding his 
previous answer was no.
  So I would like, Mr. Speaker, if you will, you to pose that question 
to him for consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman from Colorado yielding to 
the gentleman from Alabama?
  Mr. POLIS. I am not yielding. I am asking the Chair to confirm that, 
in fact, his stated preference is still valid, and if he would ask the 
gentleman from Alabama if that is still the case.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is still the Chair's understanding that 
the gentleman from Alabama will not yield for such a request.
  Therefore, the previous unanimous consent request cannot be 
entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Connecticut 
(Mr. Larson) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, in honor of the memory of Delhaun Jackson, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the floor.

[[Page H4486]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts 
(Ms. Clark) for a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Damond Dawson, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island 
(Mr. Cicilline) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Hanna Rhoden and Christopher Roden, Sr., victims of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama how many people we need to have come down until the gentleman 
from Alabama would be willing to simply entertain a unanimous consent 
request to have the vote?
  I understand that the gentleman from Alabama is opposed to the 
underlying measures. If a majority of the House is, so be it. But at 
least I would like to know how many requests we need to make until we 
can simply have this vote.
  I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Alabama for an answer.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair continues to understand that the 
gentleman from Alabama has not yielded for the purpose of these 
unanimous consent requests.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield the gentleman from 
Alabama from my time to ask how many more unanimous consent requests we 
need to have until we can have this vote.
  Reclaiming my time, his silence continues to speak volumes, as does 
the silence of the Republican majority and the Speaker in the wake of 
an unprecedented wave of violence and terrorism in our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) 
for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Anpha Nguyen, a victim of gun violence who never received 
a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Norcross) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Andres Camacho, III, the son of a dear friend of mine and 
a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the 
House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thompson) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Chris Rhoden, Jr., a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York 
(Miss Rice) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring 
up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to 
honor the memory of Natalie, Sienna, and MJ Srinivasan with the shooter 
Jeremy Srinivasan, three victims of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Lee) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the 
memory of Rheba Mae Dent, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Aguilar) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Angelo Barboza, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Perlmutter) for a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of AJ Boik, the nephew of a friend of mine, Police Sergeant 
Dave Hoover, who was killed at the Aurora movie theater during the 
premier of the Batman movie.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Hahn) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the 
memory of Kenneth Rhoden, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Brownley) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Roosevelt Burns, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor. God 
bless Mr. Burns.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Levin) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Lizzy Williams, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer), the minority whip, for the purpose of a unanimous consent 
request.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation. I do so, 
Mr. Speaker, in honor of Shelly Williams, a victim of gun violence who 
never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire again of the 
gentleman from Alabama how many more requests we need to make until 
this very simple request is granted to allow us a vote on these bills.
  I am happy to yield for an answer as to how many more people we need 
to request a vote on these bills.

[[Page H4487]]

  

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, we are here today on House Resolution 809----
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, I am in control of the time. I yielded 
for an answer. The gentleman from Alabama didn't give it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. 
DeLauro) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request 
that would save lives and prevent terrorism.
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Roderick Nelms, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Swalwell) for a unanimous consent request to prevent terrorist attacks 
in our country.
  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Recco Cobb, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader, for the purpose of a unanimous 
consent request.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Carolyn Ann Sanders, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, now that, in addition to so many rank-and-
file Members having made this request, the Democratic leader and the 
Democratic whip have joined in this request personally and have come 
down here, I would like to ask the gentleman from Alabama if he would 
be willing to consider the unanimous consent request at this point.
  I am happy to yield for an answer.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 809 is on the National 
Defense Authorization Act----
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, again, I think no matter how the 
gentleman from Alabama says it, the simple translation of that is: no, 
we won't consider that request.
  So at this point, we have a very important request that would save 
lives and help prevent terrorist attacks in our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
McGovern) for a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Devin Hamb, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Crowley), the vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, for a unanimous 
consent request.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Billie Jo, Courtney, and Collin Hettinger, victims of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina 
(Mr. Clyburn), the assistant Democratic leader, for a unanimous consent 
request to fight terrorism.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
3051, a bill that would close the Charleston loophole that allowed the 
assassination of Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney and eight of his 
parishioners.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Danny K. Davis) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request to save 
lives.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. First, the Chair will make an announcement.
  As the Chair advised on January 15, 2014, and March 26, 2014, even 
though a unanimous consent request to consider a measure is not 
entertained, embellishments accompanying such a request constitute 
debate and will become an imposition on the time of the Member who 
yielded for that purpose.


                         Parliamentary Inquiry

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado will state his 
parliamentary inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear that the various speakers 
have not embellished to this point; is that correct?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has not deducted time to this 
point.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Danny K. Davis) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Laquan McDonald, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Rush) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor of the 
memory of Gladys Tordil, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Kennedy) for a unanimous consent request to fight against 
terrorism and save lives.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of Mike Dawid, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Mrs. Davis) for the purpose of a very important and timely unanimous 
consent request.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Cora Wilson, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, that strikes close to home, I would say to 
Mrs. Davis. That is the name of my daughter as well, Cora; so that is 
particularly emotional to me as a father.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. 
Langevin) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Alicia Norman, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
Blumenauer) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up

[[Page H4488]]

H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in 
honor of the memory of Reid Williams, a victim of gun violence who 
never received his moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan 
(Mrs. Lawrence) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent 
request to combat the terrorist threat to our country.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of Zanyrah Taylor, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment 
of silence on the floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I inquire of the gentleman from Alabama how 
many more motions for unanimous consent we need to make until it is 
granted and we, simply, allow an up-or-down vote on this issue?
  Again, the silence speaks volumes not only from the gentleman from 
Alabama but from the Republican majority that continues to prevent a 
vote on these commonsense measures to reduce deaths and violence and 
terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) for 
the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Malcolm Winffel, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Becerra) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. He is the 
chair of the Democratic Caucus.
  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent--because it is more 
than just time for a moment of silence--that we bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Shannon Johnson, a victim of gun violence, who died during the mass 
shooting in San Bernardino, California, who never received a moment of 
silence on this House floor, to dignify the passing and the need to do 
something for him and his family.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentleman from Colorado will be charged.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Mrs. Capps) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, which is the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation. I 
do so to honor the memory of Welland ``Buddy'' Short, a victim of gun 
violence who, himself, never received a moment of silence on the House 
floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Sherman) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Gerardo Hernandez of Chatsworth, a victim of gun violence 
who never received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. 
Schakowsky) for a very important and timely unanimous consent request.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Justin Michael Murray, from my district--a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. 
Clarke) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Councilman James E. 
Davis, who was assassinated at the New York City Council on July 23, 
2003, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan 
expanded background checks legislation, to honor his memory.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Brendan F. Boyle) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request 
that would save lives and prevent terrorist attacks in our country.
  Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background 
checks legislation, to honor the memory of Jerome Wright, a victim of 
gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. 
Edwards) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Jadarrion Spinks, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, given that not only have we had so many 
Members from across the country make this unanimous consent request but 
that they have been joined by every member of the Democratic 
leadership, I inquire of the gentleman from Alabama if he would be 
willing to entertain the next unanimous consent request that will be 
made shortly by the gentlewoman from California.
  I yield to the gentleman from Alabama.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, we are here to speak on House Resolution 809, 
the National Defense Authorization Act.
  Mr. POLIS. In reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez), who has a very 
important unanimous consent request that would save lives and prevent 
terrorist attacks.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I thank my colleague from 
Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Kiara Kinard, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment 
of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Van Hollen) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of Mercy Cordova, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence here on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I point out, on my own time, that granting this request does not take 
away from considering the other two underlying bills. They, too, will 
be considered, but it simply means that these additional two bills to 
reduce gun violence, preventing terrorists from assembling arsenals 
legally in our own country, and making sure that convicted felons can't 
legally acquire firearms, are common sense. I think they

[[Page H4489]]

would pass this House fairly overwhelmingly.
  We are simply saying, in addition to the bills that are already being 
considered--which some of us may personally be opposed to in the case 
of NDAA, but we are not standing in the way of those. We are simply 
allowing for the consideration of these additional bills.
  Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of a unanimous consent request only, I 
yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Esty).
  Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor of Gary 
Rhoden, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence 
on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. 
Titus) for a unanimous consent request that would prevent terrorists 
from assembling arsenals that they would use to cause harm to our 
fellow Americans.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of Jones Pidcock, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I was truly hoping that the motion by Ms. 
Titus would be accepted because, frankly, Ms. Titus' unanimous consent 
request would have saved lives, prevented convicted felons from 
acquiring firearms and would have prevented people on the terrorist 
watch list from silently assembling arsenals for them to commit 
terrorist acts in our country.
  While I am disappointed that Ms. Titus' unanimous consent request was 
rejected out of hand, I yield to--and I am hopeful that the gentleman 
from Alabama will accept--the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) 
for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Christopher Houston, a victim of 
gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, a point of parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from Alabama yield for a 
parliamentary inquiry?
  Mr. BYRNE. I do not.
  Mr. Speaker, I note far the record----
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, a point of parliamentary inquiry.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Chair to bring the House to order.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, a point of parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama is recognized on 
his own time.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I note for the record that the Member who 
just spoke has made the same unanimous consent request three times. I 
would also note that other Members have made the same unanimous consent 
requests multiple times, and the Chair has indicated that he cannot 
entertain that request.
  Mr. Speaker, for the record, at some point, this ceases to be an 
effort to debate the issue before the House and, rather, becomes an 
effort to obstruct the House from completing its work.
  I reserve the balance of my time.


                         Parliamentary Inquiry

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, a point of parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, how is the gentleman from Alabama able to 
seize my time before I have even made my opening statement and simply 
speak on his own time while I control the time?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair was alternating recognition 
between the minority manager and the majority manager. The gentleman 
from Alabama was recognized using his own time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, we have a gentleman with us here today from 
the great State of Missouri, who has a very important unanimous consent 
request that would save lives and prevent terrorists from doing harm to 
our fellow countrymen.
  I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) for the purpose of 
a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the 
memory of Michael Brown, one of my constituents and a victim of gun 
violence at the hands of a trigger happy policeman. Michael Brown never 
received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentleman from Missouri will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.

                              {time}  1330

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out on my own time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado is recognized.
  Mr. POLIS. The gentleman from Alabama mentioned the word 
``obstruction.'' And, Mr. Speaker, I would like you to consider--and, 
Mr. Speaker, I would like the American people to consider--who and 
which party is obstructing here when there is a very simple request for 
a vote that so many Members of this body feel fervently about.
  Those who stand in the way of that vote are those who are 
obstructing, not those who simply seek a vote to prevent terrorists 
from acquiring explosives and firearms.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-
Allard) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up 
H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to 
honor the memory of Jordan Croft, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Matsui) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of Lana Carlson, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama how long he plans to continue obstructing this body and 
preventing this body from going about its business to vote on these 
underlying bills by objecting to these very simple, commonsense, 
unanimous consent requests to prevent terrorists from acquiring 
explosives and firearms.
  Again, the silence speaks volumes. It sounds like the Republicans and 
the gentleman from Alabama plan on continuing to obstruct this body 
from going about their business.
  However, luckily, thanks to the gentlewoman from New Jersey, there is 
another chance for this body to accept a very important unanimous 
consent request.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) for 
the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up 
H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to 
honor the memory of Tre Lane, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on this floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin 
(Ms. Moore) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent 
request to prevent terrorists from silently acquiring arsenals that 
they would kill our fellow Americans with.

[[Page H4490]]

  

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation.
  Here is Zina Daniel, who was murdered when her ex-husband bought a 
weapon from the Internet.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman will be deducted from the gentleman from 
Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, we are joined by the ranking member of the 
Rules Committee, and I hope that my colleague from Alabama will be 
willing to grant her very important request that she is about to make 
that will prevent convicted felons from acquiring guns legally and also 
help keep explosives and weapons out of the hands of terrorists.
  I am proud to yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) 
for a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded 
background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Valerie Short, a 
victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the 
House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Eddie Bernice Johnson) for the purpose of a critical and timely 
unanimous consent request.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent to bring up H.R. 1217, a bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, in honor of Kendrick Forrest, a victim of gun violence 
from my district who never received a moment of silence on the House 
floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, in the face of Republican obstructionism on 
this important issue, I am joined by a colleague from the great State 
of California. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) 
for the purpose of a unanimous consent request in an attempt to break 
through this gridlock.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Jerry Nguyen, a victim of gun violence who never received 
a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Neal) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the 
memory of Simon Carrillo, a victim of gun violence who never received 
his moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, would that we run out of victims. Mr. 
Speaker, would that we run out of victims, but, tragically, that is not 
the case.
  I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross) for the 
purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Davon Barrett, a victim of gun violence who never 
received his moment of silence here on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Huffman) for the purpose of a very important unanimous 
consent request that would save lives.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of two of my constituents: former Deputy Sheriff Rick Del 
Fiorentino and former Fort Bragg Councilman Jere Melo. They are both 
victims of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on this 
House floor.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Aguilar) who has a very important and timely unanimous consent request 
to prevent terrorists from acquiring arsenals to attack our fellow 
Americans.
  Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of Kenneth Cornelious Loggins, a victim of gun violence.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Brownley) who has a very important and timely unanimous consent 
request that would save lives.
  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Joanne Woods, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of action on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Byrne) how many more Members need to make this very simple 
request until it is a simple courtesy they agree to simply hold these 
votes.
  I would be happy to yield for an answer.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado yields to the 
gentleman from Alabama.
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, I hear nothing but silence.
  Mr. BYRNE. Well, I thought he yielded to me for----
  Mr. POLIS. Not to yield for an answer--absolutely. How many more----
  Mr. BYRNE. Do you yield or not?
  Mr. POLIS. I did. You were standing----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama is recognized.
  Mr. BYRNE. You didn't allow me to say a word.
  Mr. POLIS. How many more requests----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama is recognized.
  Mr. POLIS. Do we need to make?
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, we are here to talk about House Resolution 
809 that deals with the National Defense Authorization Act----
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. BYRNE. And an opioid bill and not anything else. And I----
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is out of order.
  Mr. BYRNE. I can yield----
  Mr. POLIS. The gentleman is out of order. I reclaim my time, Mr. 
Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado is recognized.
  Mr. POLIS. Yes. And yet the gentleman from Alabama continues to 
obstruct the consideration of those very underlying measures by not 
granting this simple request, this very simple request to consider 
these two bills.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price) 
for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. I thank my colleague.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, a 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Tony and Quinn Carlson, victims of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island 
(Mr. Cicilline) who has a unanimous consent to break through this 
Republican obstruction and allow these bills to come forward.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of my constituent, Essence Christal, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of action on the House Floor.

[[Page H4491]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Brady) for the purpose of a very important and timely unanimous 
consent request.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, in honor of the memory of Cory James Connell, a victim of 
gun violence who never received a moment of silence on this House 
floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Hahn) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, 
the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor of the 
memory of Reginald Williams, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lowenthal) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request to prevent 
terrorists from acquiring explosives and firearms.
  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez, a victim of gun violence 
who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts 
(Ms. Clark) for the purpose of a timely, important, and critical 
unanimous consent request.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Claudina Molina, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Capuano) for a unanimous consent request to prevent convicted 
felons from legally acquiring firearms.
  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Officer Steven Todd Dooley, a victim of gun violence who 
never received a moment of action on this House floor.
  And, Mr. Speaker, I would like to know: What are you afraid of? Why 
won't you give Officer Dooley his time? What are you afraid of, Mr. 
Speaker? Bring the bill to the floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentleman will be subtracted from the gentleman from 
Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, would that we ran out of victims. Sadly, that 
is not the case.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for 
the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request that would 
save lives.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Laseam Hogan from my district, a victim of gun violence 
who never received a moment of action on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to inquire of the 
gentleman from Alabama: When will the Republican obstructionism end?
  I am happy to yield for an answer.
  Mr. BYRNE. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, I yield to the gentlewoman from 
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) for the purpose of a unanimous consent 
request.
  Ms. DeLAURO. I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Elton Wayne Madison, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of action on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.

                              {time}  1345

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina 
(Mr. Butterfield) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent 
that would save lives and prevent convicted felons from acquiring 
weapons.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up 
H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to 
honor the memory of Mr. Tevin Eugene Crosby, who was a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of silence on this House floor, 
unlike other victims in this country.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. McGovern), my colleague on the Committee on Rules, for the purpose 
of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Rigoberto Jose Castillo, a victim of gun violence who 
never received a moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Mrs. Capps) for a unanimous consent request.
  Mrs. CAPPS. I thank my colleague for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to please bring up H.R. 1217. It 
is a bipartisan bill, the expanded background checks legislation, and I 
am doing this today in honor of this beautiful young mother of 2 from 
Chicago, a victim of gun violence. She never received a moment of 
silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from California will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Levin) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request only.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, hoping you will change your misinformed 
judgment, again, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Enedia Branch, a victim of gun violence who never received one 
moment of silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pallone) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request 
that will save lives.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Jamar Small; Tamara, or Tammy, Wilson-Seidle; and both 
Cristina LoBrutto and Bryan Breen. These are Cristina and Bryan. They 
are four victims of gun violence from my district who never received a 
moment of action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Keating) for the purpose of a very important and timely unanimous 
consent request that will save lives.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Alison Parker, a victim of gun violence whose family 
wants more than a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.

[[Page H4492]]

  

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Maxine Waters) for the purpose of a very important unanimous 
consent request that will save lives.
  Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of 5-year-old Aaron Shannon, Jr., a 
victim of gun violence shot down in his backyard, who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island 
(Mr. Langevin) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent 
request.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as someone with a background in law 
enforcement and someone who lives with the damaging effects of what 
guns can cause every day, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, also to 
honor the memory of Doris Dooley, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentleman from Rhode Island will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I wish that we had the time to adequately 
remember all of these victims like Doris Dooley and so many others, but 
given the limited time we have, I think our priority at this point is 
breaking through the Republican obstruction and achieving a simple up-
or-down vote on these commonsense, bipartisan bills.
  To that end, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) 
for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Betty Mungin; her daughter, Alexis Mungin; her daughter, 
8-year-old Armani Mungin, victims of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor. Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. 
Kaptur) for a very important unanimous consent request that will save 
lives.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Javier Jorge-Reyes, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of action on this House floor. In his memory, we beg the 
Republican leadership, please, let us have a vote on a bill that has 
been awaiting passage for years.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from Ohio will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, we have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of 
Mr. Kildee, and I am glad to say that he is not only here, but he has 
an excellent idea to break through this Republican obstruction and save 
lives.
  I am honored to yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for 
a very important unanimous consent request.
  Mr. KILDEE. I thank my friend for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Cederrius Hastings, a victim of gun violence who never received a 
moment of silence on the floor of the United States House of 
Representatives.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the local hometown representative, 
the esteemed representative from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) 
who has a very important unanimous consent request.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of Brishell Jones, who at 16, with her friends, was 
gunned down in a drive-by shooting, but who never received a moment of 
silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia will be 
deducted from the gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama how many more unanimous consent requests we need to make until 
the Republicans stop this obstruction and allow the bill to come 
forward. I am happy to yield for an answer.
  Mr. BYRNE. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Well, Mr. Speaker, you know, I think it is clear that we 
will not allow the Republicans to continue to obstruct these 
commonsense, bipartisan bills to prevent terrorists from assembling 
arsenals to kill our fellow Americans and to prevent convicted felons 
from legally acquiring firearms.
  We are joined by a leader from New York, and I yield to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke) for the purpose of a unanimous 
consent request.
  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring 
up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan--that means Democrats and Republicans--
expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Jonathon 
Edwards, 22 years old, from Georgia. He was a victim of gun violence 
who never received a moment of action here in the House of 
Representatives. He is deserving of that action, Mr. Speaker. Twenty-
two years. No action. Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to act. The 
American people need for us to act.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from New York will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson Lee) for a very important unanimous consent request that will 
save lives.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up 
H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, which 
would fall under the Committee on the Judiciary on which I serve as the 
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland 
Security, and Investigations, to honor the memory of Ronald McPhatter, 
a child of some mother and some father, and honor the memory of Ronald 
McPhatter, a victim of gun violence, who never received a moment of 
silence or action on this House floor. Ronald McPhatter needs justice.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from Texas will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Sean Patrick Maloney) for the purpose of a very important unanimous 
consent request that would save lives.
  Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent to bring H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to the floor to honor the memory of David Washington. 
David Washington is a victim of gun violence. He can't speak for 
himself anymore, and he never received a moment of silence or a moment 
of action on this House floor, but he deserves one.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentleman from New York will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Wilson) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request only that would 
save lives.
  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring 
up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to 
honor the memory of Trayvon Martin from my district, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of

[[Page H4493]]

silence on this House floor. And to all the mothers of murdered 
children in Miami-Dade County and Broward County, I extend to them a 
moment of silence now.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from Florida will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
Blumenauer) for the purpose of a very important and timely unanimous 
consent request.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor 
of the memory of Leatrick Benjamin, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor, let alone a moment of 
action.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Castor) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call 
up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to 
honor the memory of 14-year-old Richard Newton from my district, a 
victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on this 
House floor, let alone a moment of action.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Mrs. Torres), who has a very important and timely unanimous consent 
request.
  Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Pomona Police Officer Shaun Diamond, murdered at the 
hands of a Mongol gang member. The silence has to stop. We need action. 
To honor his memory, I would like the House to take up this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from California will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey 
(Mrs. Watson Coleman) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up 
H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, and 
this is to honor the memory of Carl Batie, a former Mercer County 
corrections officer who was an innocent bystander killed in a hail of 
gunfire in a gang-related fight in the city of Trenton in my district. 
I do this to honor Mr. Batie, who was that victim, and I do this 
because he never received a moment of silence and he has never received 
a moment of action on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from New Jersey will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, the definition of obstruction in the 
dictionary is ``a thing that impedes or prevents passage or progress; 
an obstacle or blockage.''
  The only obstruction here is the failure of the Republicans to simply 
remove that blockage or that thing that prevents passage of this 
commonsense measure to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons 
and prevent terrorists from quietly assembling arsenals to conduct 
their terrorist acts.
  I hope that, now that my colleague from New York (Mr. Engel) has 
joined us and he will be making a very important unanimous consent 
request in just moments, that will finally allow this body an 
opportunity to break through this obstruction, move to consideration of 
both bills under this rule, and move to consideration of the bipartisan 
bill that will prevent convicted felons from acquiring weapons.
  I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for the purpose of 
a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of this brave soldier, Captain Antonio Davon Brown.
  I also want to honor the memory of people in my district who were 
victims of gun violence: Brandon Lawrence, New Rochelle, New York; 
Charles Smith, Mount Vernon, New York; Wilbert Francis, Mount Vernon, 
New York; Kevin Shaw, Mount Vernon, New York; Allashun Clay, Mount 
Vernon, New York.
  We want to honor their memories. They are all victims of gun violence 
who never received a moment of silence on the House floor. We ought to 
be passing sensible gun control legislation in a bipartisan fashion.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentleman from New York will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington 
State (Ms. DelBene) for the purpose of a very important unanimous 
consent request.
  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Amanda Alvear, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
McDermott) for the purpose of an important and timely unanimous consent 
request.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, bipartisan expanded background checks legislation. It is really 
to honor the memory of Paul Terrell Henry. He was a victim of gun 
violence in Orlando, who never received a moment of silence on this 
House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Brownley), who has a request that will break through this 
Republican obstruction and save lives, for the purpose of a unanimous 
consent request.
  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Landon Dooley, a victim of gun 
violence who never received a moment of action on this House floor.
  Enough is enough. Put this commonsense legislation forward today.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ribble). As previously announced the 
unanimous consent request cannot be entertained.


                         Parliamentary Inquiry

  Mr. POLIS. Point of parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. It is a new Speaker pro tempore, and I was wondering if 
the new Speaker pro tempore would be willing to pose a unanimous 
consent request to the gentleman from Alabama.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has been informed that the 
gentleman from Alabama will not yield for the purpose of the 
gentleman's request.
  Mr. POLIS. Very well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) 
who has a very important unanimous consent request.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the 
memory of Elbert L. Merrick, III, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama how many more unanimous consent requests we need to make until 
he agrees to allow for consideration of this bill.
  I am happy to yield for an answer.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H4494]]

  

  Mr. POLIS. Sadly, the gentleman from Alabama is unable to reserve or 
stop criminals from legally acquiring weapons or terrorists from 
silently assembling arsenals to conduct terrorist acts in our country. 
The only way the gentleman from Alabama can prevent those acts is to 
prevent the obstruction of this body by granting this very simple 
unanimous consent request that is about to be made by the gentleman 
from Florida.
  I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch) for the purpose of 
a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the 
memory of Stanley Almodovar, III, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts 
(Ms. Clark) for the purpose of a very important and timely unanimous 
consent request.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation to honor the memory of Lori Dooley and Brooke Dooley, a 
mother and daughter, victims of gun violence who never received 
legislative action on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. McGovern) for the purpose of an important unanimous consent 
request to save lives.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Eugene Liscomb, a victim of gun violence who never 
received a moment of silence and never received a moment of action on 
this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Serrano) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Eric Ivan Ortiz Rivera, a victim of gun violence who 
never received a moment of silence or who never received any action on 
the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts 
(Ms. Tsongas) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Luis Vielma, a victim of gun violence who never received 
a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Chu) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent request 
that will save lives.
  Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, a victim 
of gun violence who never received a moment of action on the House 
floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire of the gentleman from 
Alabama how many more requests we need to make until the Republicans 
stop their obstructionism and allow a simple vote on the bill.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Perlmutter) for the purpose of a very important unanimous consent 
request that would save lives.
  Mr. PERLMUTTER. I thank my friend from Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Daniel Mauser. He is a young man who was a victim of gun violence at 
Columbine High School and was the son of a friend of mine, Tom Mauser.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, in a just-breaking Politico article, it says 
that House leader infighting has forced GOP leaders to indefinitely 
postpone a vote on an antiterrorism package.
  You know, I don't know who is going to tell the terrorists that we 
are postponing a vote on an antiterrorism package. I would hope that 
the Republicans would join us Democrats in trying to prevent terrorists 
from quietly assembling arsenals of explosives and guns and weapons to 
conduct coordinated attacks on the people of our country--that is what 
we are hoping to do--and break through this Republican obstructionism 
on this issue.
  Hopefully, there will be a new, breaking story based on the 
acceptance of a unanimous consent request that is forthcoming from my 
colleague from Ohio.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for the purpose of 
a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan King-Thompson expanded backgrounds checks 
legislation, to honor the memory of Juan Ramon Guerrero, a victim of 
gun violence who never received either a moment of silence or a moment 
of action on this House floor. We ask Speaker Ryan to allow the vote.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Maxine Waters) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks 
legislation, in honor of the memory of Darryl R. Burt, II, yet another 
Black man who lost his life to senseless violence. He never received a 
moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from California will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.


                        Parliamentary Inquiries

  Mr. POLIS. Point of parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Chairman.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. The Chair has stated the last several times that the 
unanimous consent requests cannot be received. Is it that it cannot be 
accepted or that it is willfully not accepted by the gentleman from 
Alabama?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time has been yielded for the purpose of 
debate.
  Mr. POLIS. Further parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. When a unanimous consent request is made, is it not at the 
discretion of the gentleman controlling the time, the gentleman from 
Alabama, to agree to that request?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama has yielded time 
for debate only.
  Mr. POLIS. Further parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. Can the gentleman from Alabama accept a unanimous consent 
request to yield for the purpose of a bill being brought forth?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama has not yielded 
for that purpose.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, point of parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. POLIS. Does the gentleman from Alabama have the ability to yield 
for that purpose?

[[Page H4495]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama has control of 
the time on his side.
  Mr. POLIS. Reclaiming my time, again, the gentleman from Alabama can 
agree to these unanimous consent requests. The way that the answer has 
been framed, he has not agreed to them.
  The gentleman from Alabama and the Republicans are obstructing this 
body and preventing us from going about our business and getting to 
these bills, but it is certainly well within the authority under this 
rule for a unanimous consent request to be accepted.
  With that, I am actually glad to say we have a unanimous consent.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) for the 
purpose of a unanimous consent request.

                              {time}  1415

  Mrs. CAPPS. I thank my colleague for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217. It is a bipartisan piece of legislation called the expanded 
background checks bill, and I do so today in honor of a particular 
person who was a victim in the Orlando massacre. Her name is Mercedez 
Marisol Flores, a young woman who has never received her own moment of 
silence on this House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  The time of the gentlewoman from California will be deducted from the 
gentleman from Colorado's time.
  Mr. POLIS. Well, Mr. Speaker, they could be entertained, if the 
gentleman from Alabama would simply agree to them.
  We actually have a forthcoming unanimous consent request. I would 
hope, Mr. Speaker, that you are willing to pose it to the gentleman 
from Alabama to see if he would, in fact, agree to what I think is a 
very reasonable request, to bring forward a bipartisan bill.
  I am glad to yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson 
Coleman) for the purpose of just such a unanimous consent request.
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. I thank my colleague for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the 
bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory 
of Edward Sotomayor, Jr., a victim of gun violence in Orlando at the 
Pulse Nightclub who never, ever has received a moment of action on this 
floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, would the Chair be willing to pose the 
question as to whether that unanimous consent request is accepted to 
the gentleman controlling the time?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that the gentleman 
from Alabama will not yield for any such request.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, again, I know that the previous Speaker pro 
tempore had posed that question some time ago; but I was hoping, by 
this point, the gentleman from Alabama would have been moved to change 
his position.
  I am not going to ask every single time, but I would appreciate if 
the Chair would pose that question to the gentleman from Alabama about 
whether he would be willing to accept the most recent unanimous consent 
request of the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) to 
save lives.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado may yield to the 
gentleman from Alabama for a response.
  Mr. POLIS. I would be happy to yield if the gentleman from Alabama 
would be willing to accept the unanimous consent request from Mrs. 
Bonnie Watson Coleman.
  Mr. BYRNE. All time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POLIS. I will take that as no. And, sadly, we are not about to 
run out of victims, Mr. Speaker.
  I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the 
Democratic leader.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California is 
recognized for 1 minute.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background check legislation, to honor, 
once again, the memory of Carolyn Ann Sanders, a victim of gun violence 
who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. 
Bordallo) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 
1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor 
the memory of Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, a victim of gun violence who 
never received a moment of silence on the House floor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. As previously announced, the unanimous 
consent request cannot be entertained.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, so many of us have made unanimous consent 
requests.
  I have asked the gentleman from Alabama how many times we have to 
make this motion until the Republicans end their obstructionism. I have 
not received an adequate answer.
  I was hopeful that the gentleman from Alabama would have accepted 
this unanimous consent request by now.
  I was hopeful that the Chair would have posed a question to him 
multiple times, rather than accept his very first answer, now that the 
Democratic leaders and rank-and-file Members have all come forward in 
support of bringing forward this bill and breaking through the 
Republican obstructionism.
  I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, we have been trying all day to convince the Republican 
leadership to bring up H.R. 1217. The reason being is that, for the 
last 3\1/2\ years, we have been trying to get a vote on this 
bipartisan, pro-Second Amendment bill. And in the course of those 3\1/
2\ years, 34,000 people have been killed in our country by someone 
using a gun; 34,000. That is someone's child, someone's brother, 
someone's loved one, someone's wife, someone's husband, someone's 
partner; and it is absolutely shameful.
  Now we heard yesterday on the steps of the Capitol a terrifying story 
from a woman whose 10-year-old daughter was murdered by someone with a 
gun, someone who couldn't legally buy a gun because he couldn't pass a 
background check. He was a felon. But he got around that law because he 
went online. He found the same gun that you could buy in a gun store 
online but without the requirement to pass a background check. He 
bought that gun. He shot that brave woman, and he murdered her 
daughter.
  We can take a step today to do something about that. We can bring up 
the background check bill. It is bipartisan, pro-Second Amendment. It 
has 186 coauthors in this House. We can bring it up for a vote, and we 
can pass it. That will provide the first line of defense against people 
who shouldn't be able to buy guns from buying guns.
  Who are these people? Criminals, domestic abusers, terrorists, those 
who are dangerously mentally ill. They should not be able to get their 
hands on a gun.
  Now, can we stop it in every instance? No. But we know that 
background checks work. We know that we can make a real difference.
  Every day, every day in the United States of America, 170 felons are 
stopped from buying guns because of the background check program. Every 
day in the United States of America, 50 domestic abusers are stopped 
from buying a gun because of the background check system. It works. We 
know it works.
  Why won't we bring that bill up for a vote?
  That woman stood on the steps of the Capitol yesterday. That was a 
courageous stand she took. She lost her daughter. She watched her 
daughter be murdered right in front of her eyes. She, herself, was 
shot. But she is out advocating for sensible, pro-Second Amendment, 
reasonable gun laws that will protect people. That is brave.
  What is brave about avoiding a vote on this bill, a bipartisan bill, 
a bill that

[[Page H4496]]

supports the Second Amendment, a bill that has both Democrats and 
Republicans as coauthors: 186 coauthors, a background check bill, 
perfectly constitutional, perfectly reasonable, supported by gun 
owners, both Democrats and Republicans, supported by 90 percent of the 
American people.
  Ninety percent of the people that we collectively represent are 
asking us: Do something about this tragedy that is taking place over 30 
times a day in the streets of America. Ninety percent. That is 
unbelievable support.
  And what has the Republican leadership done? Nothing.
  Thirty-four thousand deaths in the last 3\1/2\ years that we have 
been trying to take up this bill; 1,182 mass shootings since we have 
tried to take up this bill; 30 moments of silence on the floor of this 
House; zero, zero votes to protect the people that we represent; zero 
votes to do anything regarding responsible, Second Amendment gun laws 
that will protect the people that we represent.
  Mr. Speaker, we are not asking for a lot. We are asking for a vote. 
We know that background checks work. Your side knows it, and our side 
know it.
  One of the previous speakers on the underlying bill today said: It is 
time to put politics aside and look at the policy.
  What in the world is going on with background checks? The policy is 
solid. They work. One hundred and seventy felons a day are stopped from 
getting a gun because of background checks. Fifty domestic abusers a 
day are stopped from getting a gun because of background checks.
  It sounds like pretty solid policy to me, Mr. Speaker. It must be the 
politics on the other side that are getting in the way. And the 
American people do not want that to continue.
  Ninety percent of the people who we represent are with us. They say 
that criminals, terrorists, domestic abusers, and the dangerously 
mentally ill should not be able to get guns and that the men and women 
who they send to the Congress of the United States of America should 
take responsible action to stop that from happening.
  Please, give us a vote on the background check bill. Help keep our 
constituents safe.
  Mr. POLIS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  We are here on House Resolution 809. House Resolution 809 deals with 
two underlying bills. The first one is a conference report related to 
efforts to combat the opioid crisis that is wreaking havoc in 
communities across the United States. 46,000 people die----
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a point of 
parliamentary procedure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from Alabama yield for a 
parliamentary inquiry?
  Mr. BYRNE. I do not.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. I am not asking the gentleman to yield.
  Mr. Speaker, I am asking you for a point of parliamentary procedure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Alabama is under 
recognition. The gentleman from California may not make a parliamentary 
inquiry unless yielded to for that purpose.
  The gentleman from Alabama is recognized.
  Mr. BYRNE. As I was saying, 46,000 people die every year of drug 
overdose. That is one of the things that is covered in the bills that 
are underlying in this resolution, and we just had over 2 hours of 
obstruction to try to keep us from considering that bill.
  The resolution also contains the effort to get us to a conference on 
the National Defense Authorization Act, which is the policy that 
defends the United States of America. If we want to keep terrorists 
from murdering people in the United States, we need to defeat them over 
there so that they don't come over here.
  I would ask everybody in this House to get back focused on what this 
resolution is about: trying to save people who are tragically dying 
from drug overdose and protecting the people of the United States of 
America, the number one thing that we in this Congress are here to do.
  So I am glad that we are back to that because that is important 
business for this House.
  Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 
809 and the underlying bill.
  The material previously referred to by Mr. Polis is as follows:

      An Amendment to H. Res. 809 Offered by Mr. Polis of Colorado

       At the end of the resolution, add the following new 
     sections:
       Sec. 3. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution the 
     Speaker shall, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare 
     the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on 
     the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 
     1076) to increase public safety by permitting the Attorney 
     General to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of 
     firearms or explosives licenses to a known or suspected 
     dangerous terrorist. The first reading of the bill shall be 
     dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of 
     the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to the 
     bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and 
     controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary. After general debate the bill 
     shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. 
     All points of order against provisions in the bill are 
     waived. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for 
     amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the 
     House with such amendments as may have been adopted. The 
     previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill 
     and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening 
     motion except one motion to recommit with or without 
     instructions. If the Committee of the Whole rises and reports 
     that it has come to no resolution on the bill, then on the 
     next legislative day the House shall, immediately after the 
     third daily order of business under clause 1 of rule XIV, 
     resolve into the Committee of the Whole for further 
     consideration of the bill.
       Sec. 4. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the 
     consideration of H.R. 1076.
                                  ____


        The Vote on the Previous Question: What It Really Means

       This vote, the vote on whether to order the previous 
     question on a special rule, is not merely a procedural vote. 
     A vote against ordering the previous question is a vote 
     against the Republican majority agenda and a vote to allow 
     the Democratic minority to offer an alternative plan. It is a 
     vote about what the House should be debating.
       Mr. Clarence Cannon's Precedents of the House of 
     Representatives (VI, 308-311), describes the vote on the 
     previous question on the rule as ``a motion to direct or 
     control the consideration of the subject before the House 
     being made by the Member in charge.'' To defeat the previous 
     question is to give the opposition a chance to decide the 
     subject before the House. Cannon cites the Speaker's ruling 
     of January 13, 1920, to the effect that ``the refusal of the 
     House to sustain the demand for the previous question passes 
     the control of the resolution to the opposition'' in order to 
     offer an amendment. On March 15, 1909, a member of the 
     majority party offered a rule resolution. The House defeated 
     the previous question and a member of the opposition rose to 
     a parliamentary inquiry, asking who was entitled to 
     recognition. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon (R-Illinois) said: 
     ``The previous question having been refused, the gentleman 
     from New York, Mr. Fitzgerald, who had asked the gentleman to 
     yield to him for an amendment, is entitled to the first 
     recognition.''
       The Republican majority may say ``the vote on the previous 
     question is simply a vote on whether to proceed to an 
     immediate vote on adopting the resolution. . . . [and] has no 
     substantive legislative or policy implications whatsoever.'' 
     But that is not what they have always said. Listen to the 
     Republican Leadership Manual on the Legislative Process in 
     the United States House of Representatives, (6th edition, 
     page 135). Here's how the Republicans describe the previous 
     question vote in their own manual: ``Although it is generally 
     not possible to amend the rule because the majority Member 
     controlling the time will not yield for the purpose of 
     offering an amendment, the same result may be achieved by 
     voting down the previous question on the rule. . . . When the 
     motion for the previous question is defeated, control of the 
     time passes to the Member who led the opposition to ordering 
     the previous question. That Member, because he then controls 
     the time, may offer an amendment to the rule, or yield for 
     the purpose of amendment.''
       In Deschler's Procedure in the U.S. House of 
     Representatives, the subchapter titled ``Amending Special 
     Rules'' states: ``a refusal to order the previous question on 
     such a rule [a special rule reported from the Committee on 
     Rules] opens the resolution to amendment and further 
     debate.'' (Chapter 21, section 21.2) Section 21.3 continues: 
     ``Upon rejection of the motion for the previous question on a 
     resolution reported from the Committee on Rules, control 
     shifts to the Member leading the opposition to the previous 
     question, who may offer a proper amendment or motion and who 
     controls the time for debate thereon.''
       Clearly, the vote on the previous question on a rule does 
     have substantive policy implications. It is one of the only 
     available tools for those who oppose the Republican 
     majority's agenda and allows those with alternative views the 
     opportunity to offer an alternative plan.

  Mr. Byrne. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I 
move the previous question on the resolution.

[[Page H4497]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on ordering the previous 
question.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

                          ____________________