Recks

Carney Seeks to Stop Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, DC -- In the wake of the deadliest mass-shooting in North Carolina's history, US Senator Paul Carney (D-MA) introduced a sweeping and comprehensive gun reform bill that would "greatly reduce the possibility of gun violence in the United States." The Stop Gun Violence Act of 2009 has seven key provisions which would, taken together, make it much harder to use a firearm in an illegal manner with the intention of causing harm to one's self or another person. First, the proposed law would raise the minimum age for firearm purchase to 21, from 18. "We know the brain isn't fully formed at 18, and that's why we don't allow 18-year olds to drink alcohol. Raising the firearms purchase age to 21 still respects adulthood, but it also ensures that we have greater mental development among gun owners than currently," said Paul Carney. The next two provisions address waiting periods and closing gun sale loopholes. "A mandatory seven-day minimum waiting period is important to allow the background checks to run their course, but also to ensure that those who are contemplating taking their own lives can be reached with the mental health support they need before pulling the trigger," Senator Carney said upon the bill's introduction.

Next, the Stop Gun Violence Act would ban semiautomatic weapons and their accessories. "The fact of the matter is this isn't the Wild West. Our law enforcement and military do a great job protecting our nation and her people from harm. Assault weapons belong on the battlefields, not in our streets. That is why my bill would enact a broad ban on weapons of war," stated the Massachusetts junior Senator. After establishing penalties in line with existing US Code for gun-related offences, the bill would repeal outdated parts of the federal legal corpus that serve no purpose other than protecting gun makers and the gun lobby. "The sad fact of the matter is there are some people who make ever-deadlier weapons, who don't invest in safety precautions, and who prevent us from researching violent gun deaths. I am proud to take-on the gun lobby to ensure the safety of everyday Americans," concluded Senator Carney. "This is a major issue, and we need to move beyond sympathy for victims and towards justice - towards preventing future misuse of deadly weapons."

IN THE SENATE

Sen. CARNEY (for himself and on behalf of the President of the United States) introduced the following resolution;

A RESOLUTION

Confirming Linda Chavez-Thompson as Secretary of Labor.

Whereas Linda Chavez-Thompson was nominated by President Murphy to serve as the Secretary of Labor; and

Whereas the Senate has the reserved power to provide advice and consent to Presidential nominees under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution; 

Therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Linda Chavez-Thompson is confirmed as the Secretary of Labor.

IN THE SENATE

Sen. CARNEY (for himself and on behalf of the President of the United States) introduced the following resolution;

A RESOLUTION

Confirming Fred Hochberg as Secretary of Commerce.

Whereas Fred Hochberg was nominated by President Murphy to serve as the Secretary of Commerce; and

Whereas the Senate has the reserved power to provide advice and consent to Presidential nominees under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution; 

Therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Fred Hochberg is confirmed as the Secretary of Commerce.

Committee Roster for the U.S. Senate Committee on

Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Chair

Paul Carney of Massachusetts

Majority (Democratic) Members

Christopher Ross of Arkansas (Ranking Member)

Damien King of Illinois

Minority (Republican) Members

Brian Trueblood of Pennsylvania (Ranking Member)

John Allen of Nevada

Committee Chairman (HELP) mods please.

Announcements from the Chair

of the U.S. Senate Committee on

Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Chairman Paul Carney, presiding.

@PCarney: It is saddening that lives were lost in the latest mass-shooting, this time in Carthage, NC. We need more than sympathy, though - we need action on #GunControl. (1/2)

@PCarney: I have introduced the Stop Gun Violence Act of 2009 (link) to start putting an end to violent gun crimes in our nation. #CommonsenseGunReform (2/2)

Paul Carney (D-MA)

@PCarney 

Thoughts from the Senior Senator for Massachusetts in 140 Characters or Less.

IN THE SENATE

Sen. CARNEY (for himself) introduced the following bill;

A BILL

To greatly reduce the possibility for gun violence in the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND SEVERABILITY.

(a) This Act may be cited as the “Stop Gun Violence Act of 2009”.

(b) This Act is wholly severable by section.

SECTION 2. AGE LIMIT INCREASE.

Effective upon the enactment of this Act, no individual shall be permitted to purchase a firearm or ammunition unless that individual has attained at least 21 years of age by the date of purchase.

SECTION 3. SEVEN-DAY WAITING PERIOD.

There is hereby established a mandatory waiting period of at least seven-days between the purchase of a firearm and the date on which an individual may come into possession of the purchased firearm. However, number of days of the waiting period shall no shorter than the period determined necessary to complete a full background check. This shall apply to traditional gun sales as well as gun shows.

SECTION 4. CLOSING BACKGROUND CHECK LOOPHOLES.

Aside from transfers between spouses, parents and their children, and transfers to military members and law enforcement officers, any exchange of a firearm for compensation shall require a background check. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall ensure that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System is prepared to handle the increase in background checks, for example at gun shows.

SECTION 5. SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPON BAN.

It is hereby unlawful for any individual to import, sell, manufacture, or transfer a semiautomatic assault weapon - including semiautomatic rifles, pistols, or shotguns - and large capacity ammunition feeding devices along with firearm silencers and mufflers following the enactment of this Act. It shall also be unlawful to possess any such semiautomatic assault weapon that was created after the enactment of this Act. The Attorney General may establish exceptions for the United States military, State and local police, and antique firearms under relevant sections of US Code.

SECTION 6. VIOLATIONS.

Violations of this Act shall be prosecuted with the full force of the law. Violation of Sections 2, 3, and 4 shall be punishable by a maximum of five years of prison time for each offence. Violation of Section 5 shall be punishable by ten years of prison for each offence.

SECTION 7. INDUSTRY REFORM.

Any and all legislative restrictions, including those found in the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, prohibiting civil lawsuits against the manufacturers of firearms are hereby repealed. Any and all legislative restrictions, including those found in the Consumer Product Safety Act, prohibiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission from regulating firearm safety are hereby repealed.

SECTION 8. RESEARCH.

Any and all legislative restrictions prohibiting the federal government from conducting research into gun violence prevention, including by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by the Department of Justice are hereby repealed.

PES.

Increases the minimum age for firearms ownership to 21. Creates a minimum mandatory 7-day waiting period for gun transfers. Closes the gun show loophole (requiring background checks). Bans semiautomatic weapons and associated products. Establishes criminal penalties. Allows lawsuits against manufacturers of firearms, and allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to regulate firearm safety. Allows research into gun violence prevention.

Press Office of

Senator Paul Carney

Democrat for Massachusetts

Name: Paul Carney

Home State: Massachusetts

Preference: HELP

Chair?: Yes, please.

I am honored to be considered, but due to RL time commitments (an upcoming full-time internship within the Executive Office of the President), I feel that I cannot adequately serve in this position. Therefore, I must decline.

If Senator Maguire would consider serving, I nominate him.

Just now, Elliot Davis said:

I declare my candidacy for Majority Leader. I understand this is a big job, so I am happy to answer any questions you have in full. I therefore nominate myself.

I'd be happy to second Senator Warwick for SML.

Just now, Elliot Davis said:

I nominate @John White

I have real concerns given the fact he's already violated our party's Simple Charter and has opened a nominations period that is:

1. Supposed to be managed by the President under the Simple Charter; and
2. (If he seems to think he has the authority under the old Charter) Is incongruent with the previous round's Charter (which had a different threshold than a simple majority vote).

So, he's picking and choosing the rule set he wants to follow; this doesn't bode well, in my view, for a party chair that will be relied on for rulings.

Just now, John White said:

You can’t just post something without debate or motions.. let’s not be ridiculous here

Via unanimous consent, yes you can. Please see the above discussion which you appear to have missed.

Or if you'd like to hold up the election of our party's officers, you can insist on taking the Simple Charter to court. But where it stands now, it's ratified and in effect for 2 quarters or until a new full charter is ratified, whichever comes sooner.

1 minute ago, John White said:

My objection stands - thanks Recks

Except it doesn't. 

Pursuant to the Simple Charter:

On 5/5/2020 at 10:25 AM, Recks said:

This Simple Charter shall come into effect by unanimous consent in 24 hours

So, it came into effect at about 6 hours ago.

19 minutes ago, John White said:

I object to the UC. As stated on Telegram, I am sorry I have been a little behind, I am opening leadership elections now. We will have a charter up tonight for full debate and ratification. 

 

We can do both at the same time.

This should have already passed via unanimous consent (as more than the 24 hours prescribed in this Simple Charter had already elapsed, ignoring the unilateral decision to extend the UC period by 12 hours); in other words, your objection is too late.

3 minutes ago, Fisher said:

Motions for UC do require seconds. 

This simply isn't true. It is difficult to find resources that explicitly state UC doesn't require a second, because that's typically understood. But here's one from Iowa State University under Shortcuts, #2 it reads:

Quote

“If there is no objection . . .” If there is no opposition, the chairperson can save time conducting routine business by obtaining “unanimous consent.” This eliminates the need for a motion, second, debate, and/or a vote. If there is objection to the unanimous consent, then the formal steps of making and debating a motion must be followed.

(Emphasis mine).

Furthermore, you can look just about anywhere else on VGS, where this precedent has been upheld. For example, last reset the now-Vice President did so here and many other places.

And, now finally, here's from Robert's Rules of Order on General Consent:

Quote

Business can be expedited greatly by avoiding the formality of motions and voting in routine business and on questions of little importance, the chair assuming general (unanimous) consent until some one objects. It does not necessarily mean that every member is in favor of the motion, but, that knowing it is useless to oppose it, or even to discuss it, the opposition simply acquiesces in the informality.

(Emphasis mine).

Just wanted to show off my new signature, courtesy of Bolster!

Many thanks!

20 minutes ago, Fisher said:

Not trying to be a pain in the butt, but this needs to receive two seconds before we can begin a vote. 

The ratification procedure calls for UC. So, from my reading, it wouldn't take any seconds.

Furthermore, my understanding is people aren't really voting in so much as waiving their right to object (with the goal of getting this through in under 24 hours).

In an effort to speed up the 24 hour process, I support this Simple Charter.

(Just post your support in a reply to this thread so we don't have to wait a full 24 hours).

There was some talk of wanting to get a head-start (especially on the policy front in this time of economic difficulty), and so in order to elect leadership, it would make sense to have a "simple charter" for the DNC. This would remain in effect for at most 2 quarters, at which time it would be superseded by the official charter of the DNC.

To make things go quicker, you can post something to the effect of your support in this thread. It is my hope that we can get this done before 24 hours, so we can begin leadership elections and high-level policy talks.

SECTION 1. ELECTIONS.

Effective immediately upon the introduction into force of this Simple Charter, there shall be elections (to be managed by the President of the United States) for the following positions:

• Senate Majority Leader;
• Senate Majority Whip;
• President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and
• DNC Chair.

Such elections shall be conducted by a simple-majority vote, after candidates receive a nomination, a second (cannot self-second), and accept their nomination. There shall be a 24-hour nomination period followed by a 24-hour voting period.

SECTION 2. NEW CHARTER.

The DNC Chair shall undertake the task of preparing, with extensive consultation of the Party, a new and full-length Charter, which shall come into effect upon ratification by a 2/3 majority. Such full Charter shall include, but is not limited to, procedures for:

• Leadership Elections;
• Votes of No Confidence;
• Disciplinary Actions;
• Inactivity Removals; and
• Primary Processes.

SECTION 3. RATIFICATION AND EXPIRATION.

This Simple Charter shall come into effect by unanimous consent in 24 hours (or upon affirmative statements by all registered members of the DNC before 24 hours). It shall expire upon the ratification of the full Charter or within 2 quarters, whichever comes first.

Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ-9).

What legislative response to the ongoing economic/housing crisis has been enacted? Specifically, bills such as:

• Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (February)
• Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 (June - especially unemployment insurance extension)
• Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (July)
• Pub.L. 110–343 (October 2008 - notably including):
  • Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
  • Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008
  • Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008
• Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 (November)

Senator Paul Carney

Democrat of Massachusetts

Full Name: Paul James Carney

Avatar: Greg Stanton

Date of Birth: June 18, 1959 (50 in 2009)

Place of Birth: Cambridge, MA

Place of Residence: Brookline, MA

Home State: Massachusetts

Party: Democratic Party

Religion: Roman Catholic

Family History:

• Parents: Sean (b. 1929; d. 2005) and Colleen (nee Duffy; b. 1933) - m. 1956
• Siblings: 1 brother, 2 sisters
• Wife: Catherine (nee Walsh) - married 1989
• Children: 2 boys, 1 girl (aged 15, 14, and 11 in 2009)

Educational History:

• Princeton University; A.B. in Politics (1977-1981)
• Harvard Law School; J.D. (1981-1984)

Occupational History:

• Campaign Volunteer, Ted Kennedy for President (1979-1980)
• Law Clerk, Judge Stephen Breyer of the U.S. First Circuit (1984-1986)
• Democratic Staffer, Senate Judiciary Committee (1986-1991)
• Counsel, Senator Ted Kennedy (1991-1995)
• Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1995-2003)
• Class 2 U.S. Senator for Massachusetts (2003-present)

Detailed Biography:

Paul James Carney was born on June 18, 1959 to Sean and Colleen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sean was a recently-minted assistant professor of sociology at Harvard and Colleen was focused on raising PJ (as the future Senator was called) and his three younger siblings.  Raised in an Roman Catholic Irish household, PJ also played a number of sports as a child, especially football. Growing up in a family already inclined towards liberal politics and an affinity for the Kennedy family, PJ had a broadly liberal bent from early on. This was only solidified as an older cousin died fighting in Vietnam even as Nixon was forced to resign amidst Watergate. Paul Carney ended up attending Princeton where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Politics. During his time there, he volunteered for Ted Kennedy - eventually leading an alliance of New Jersey university students to help Kennedy carry New Jersey.

During the early Reagan years, Carney was in law school at Harvard. There, Paul was articles editor of the Harvard Law Review and was poised to begin a successful law career. After graduation, Carney landed a prestigious clerkship with future-Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, then on the First Circuit. After that stint, Carney was convinced that he wanted to spend the rest of his career in public service and so leaned on his connections to find employment as a legal staffer for the Democratic Staff on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He met and married Catherine Walsh, a Democratic political operative who would lead Paul Tsongas' primary campaign in New Hampshire in 1992, in this period. On the Senate Judiciary Committee, Carney was a leading player in the staff's effort to reject Robert Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Later, Paul Carney would go on to serve four years as counsel to Ted Kennedy's Senate office. There, he was an advocate for the Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban. He joined his boss in urging President Clinton to pick Stephen Breyer to the Supreme Court, and helped Kennedy champion Breyer's nomination. In addition to this effort in late 1994, Carney had been identified by Massachusetts Democratic operatives to challenge Scott Harshbarger in his re-election bid as Massachusetts Attorney General. After receiving urging from his wife and seeing this as an opportunity to serve more directly, Carney undertook his first statewide race in the Commonwealth. 

In a challenging primary, it was thought that Ted Kennedy's strong support helped carry Carney to the nomination - and from there, the office. In his two terms as Attorney General, Carney focused largely on consumer protection issues, including taking on Big Tobacco and the gun lobby. By the time his second term was coming to a close, the junior Massachusetts Senator, John Kerry was actively eyeing a Presidential bid. When Kerry decided not to seek re-election in 2002 in order to focus on building his campaign, Paul Carney was widely seen as a presumptive candidate for the Democratic Party. After being elected that November, Carney took office in January 2003.

While starting off with a relatively small profile, he since has grown into a relative leader in the Senate Democratic Caucus and an early support of Joseph Murphy's successful 2008 campaign. A traditional liberal, he has shown some tendencies to lean a bit to the left, not unlike his former boss and mentor, Ted Kennedy. Personally, Paul remains a practicing Roman Catholic with three children at his home in Brookeline, Massachusetts. As a committed environmentalist, Carney prefers to ride the Acela Express Amtrak between Boston and DC instead of flying.