[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17564]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN EXTENSION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. King of Iowa). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) is recognized 
for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me rise to 
acknowledge and offer my personal sympathy to the many, many families 
in this country who since we have been on the work recess have lost 
their loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. I think it is important as we 
proceed in what is going to be probably a very vigorous and adversarial 
6 to 8 weeks of legislative business to let all Americans know that 
those of us who have vigorously opposed the policies of an undefined 
war and lack of an exit strategy no less have the greatest amount of 
respect and sympathy for those who are willing to give the ultimate 
sacrifice.
  In the last 48 hours, we lost 7 marines in the tragedy of a car bomb 
in Iraq. So I wanted to make clear, as I proceed and will be debating 
these questions of the 9/11 Commission, how important it is to reflect 
upon those servants who have given their lives.
  I also want to mention this evening, Mr. Speaker, the importance of 
the next couple of weeks and days and to focus tonight on what I think 
is the week's outrage.
  Six days from now on September 13, 2004, this Congress and this 
President will allow the assault weapons ban to expire. I think that if 
we were to think with a deal of consciousness and be reflective, people 
of reason would ask the question, why.
  Why, when the assault weapons ban has seen a 60 percent decrease in 
the use of assault weapons in crime; why, when we have seen a decrease 
in the number of school shootings we had just 4 or 5 years ago, when 
children were being shot by automatic weapons; why, in the backdrop of 
an automatic weapon shooting today, why would you imagine that the 
Republican leadership of the House and Senate refuse to do what is 
right? When our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan cannot even get flak 
jackets to protect them against bullets, why would we want to have in 
the United States of America the idea of war weaponry on the street?
  Is the Speaker aware that the gun companies are now taking people's 
credit cards over the Internet so that on the sunset of September 13 
they can simply ship these guns out en masse?
  Why is democracy being denied in the very place that democracy is 
supposed to be enhanced? Why are we refusing to allow a vigorous and 
fair debate on the question of whether or not the assault weapons ban 
should continue? Why are we being denied the very privilege of having 
this legislative initiative being placed on the floor of the House and 
Senate simply to allow those who have differing opinions, who represent 
millions and millions of Americans who have pleaded with their 
legislators to again enact the assault weapons ban, why is the 
leadership refusing to acknowledge this legislative initiative?
  Why is the President of the United States, who has indicated his 
consent and approval of the assault weapons ban, not lifting a single 
finger? Is this what my colleagues call flip-flop? Is this what my 
colleagues call indecisiveness? Is this what my colleagues call saying 
one thing and doing another?
  It seems very clear to me. It is a tragedy. Whose child will be next 
that will be shot by an assault weapon? Whose employee is next? Whose 
employer is next; what law enforcement officer, what first responder, 
whom we pretend to be so supportive of, when most of the law 
enforcement agencies in America have asked us to extend the assault 
weapons ban?
  This is an absurdity, this is an outrage, and we will continue to be 
on the floor every single day to shed the light of day, to pull the 
covers back to let everybody know the masquerading that is going on 
here in Washington, the flip-flopping, the outrage of deceit by 
suggesting that there is some support for the assault weapons ban, and 
yet the leadership of this House, dominated by the Republicans, and the 
Senate, refuse to allow us to have a simple debate on this question.
  I believe in life over death and peace over war, and I see no 
conflict in the second amendment in the constitutional right to bear 
arms with any desire and need to carry an automatic weapon. I would 
support my law enforcement officers, the peace of our community and 
peace of this Nation over any gun manufacturer any day. Come out and 
show yourself. We are the truthsayers in the place. I ask for a debate 
on the assault weapons ban, and I ask for it to be extended.

                          ____________________