[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 183 (Saturday, October 24, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Unanimous Consent Request--S. 4443

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, in order to proceed to the 
consideration of the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection 
Act--because millions of women are still at risk as a consequence of 
this loophole in our present laws that enables dangerous, estranged 
spouses or partners to have access to weapons during the most perilous 
time in a domestic dispute right after separation, because that 
loophole endangers innocent women because it provides access to weapons 
to those dangerous people--I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. CRAMER. Madam President, reserving the right to object.
  Again, if the minority was serious about passing legislation, they 
would not have voted four times to adjourn until after the election, so 
it is a little hard to take this seriously, but it is especially 
difficult on this one because Federal law already prohibits violent 
felons from owning and purchasing firearms.
  Again, should I remind the Senate and the country that Democratic 
mayors and Governors all over this country have failed to protect their 
citizens. The last thing we would want to do at a time like this when 
citizens are left to defend themselves against violent crime is to 
prohibit law-abiding Americans or make it more difficult for law-
abiding Americans to own firearms. For those reasons, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Connecticut.
  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, just to remind my colleague, this 
measure doesn't pertain only to dangerous felons. It protects innocent 
women against dangerous people. There is already the provision for 
protective orders to provide that kind of safeguard after a period of 
time. This measure would close a loophole for the first period when, in 
fact, women and others are at greatest risk.
  It is a public safety measure that is particularly relevant because 
of the hostility expressed by this nominee to commonsense steps in the 
name of a very extreme view under the Second Amendment