Smith

Mr Speaker,

There are a great many things that people pay taxes for. I am, like you I presume, a gun owner. I don't think a tax in the range of a state sales tax is unreasonable to compensate people who are injured by those abusing my right to keep and bear arms.

As for it being to take advantage of the situation, I would hardly have waited over three months to file the bill; as your Governor said, the shootings did not, and should not, be exploited immediately for political points.

Finally, you yourself, Congressman Starnes, said I should give thought to what we could do for the people of McLean. I did, and this is my response.

So, Congressman, if not now, when? If not this, what?

I yield the balance of my time.

Starnes seeks to Torpedo McLean Act to Help Mass Shooting Victims

WASHINGTON(Q3 2007, PR WIRE) -- Congresswoman Mary Smith's McLean Act, intended to compensate the victims of mass shootings through a 8% tax on firearms and ammunition, encountered opposition from Republicans in the House.

In his motion, Congressman John Starnes of Virginia stated "I move to table this bill. Shame on you for docketing it and shame on the sponsor for introducing it. This is disgusting."

In her response, Smith, the sponsor, compared the bill to situations where the Federal Government had to step in and provide compensation in the event of an incident, such as with nuclear reactors. In closing, she noted "I consider nothing shameful about that, and that the Gentleman seems to consider the entire issue such as a whole suggests you believe that, if you're a victim of a mass shooting, it's just your fault for being there."

In private, the Congresswoman was not optimistic. "Congressman Bauman and his Blue Dogs almost always vote with Congressman Starnes and his own group. That will provide enough votes, assuming the rest vote party lines, to table the bill, effectively killing it.:

The legislation had been written to retroactively provide compensation to the victims of the mass shooting last quarter in McLean, Virginia.

- 30 - 

Mr. Speaker,

I am not at all certain what shame there is in compensating the victims of mass shootings. We have, not unreasonably, closed legal recourse to the gun manufacturers, and generally the perpetrators have nothing to take, whether they survive the act or not.

Now, if we acknowledge that the private possession of firearms is a public good, as we most certainly do in Vermont, then there are a number of examples where the Federal Government steps in to provide compensation when things go bad. The example which comes most immediately to mind being nuclear power plants, which are insured under Federal legislation.

I consider nothing shameful about that, and that the Gentleman seems to consider the entire issue such as a whole suggests you believe that, if you're a victim of a mass shooting, it's just your fault for being there.

I yield the balance of my time.

Smith Hires Bodyguards, Leaves Iraq Committee After Threat

WASHINGTON(Q3 2007, PR WIRE) -- Congresswoman Mary Smith of Vermont clarified confusion over continued listing on the Iraq Special Committee by confirming that she had left the committee after a very unpleasant encounter with another Congressman.

"Congressman Bauman came to see me, and was almost screaming that I should not only leave the Committee, but the Congress; that with my views I did not belong. I withdrew from the Committee, as remaining would just cause a major fuss and accomplish nothing; however, I have also engaged a pair of bodyguards on my own account to provide security and training, in case Congressman Bauman tries something more extreme."

When asked if she had brought it up with the Speaker, she indicated she had not. The Congresswoman's impressions was that Bauman was doing his best to bully the Democratic Caucus into his view, and she saw no reason to complicate matters as an outsider.

- 30 - 

Admin Note:  The above example of role play where you portray the actions of other players' characters is not acceptable.  The above...situation never occurred and we're all going to move along and make sure this doesn't happen again.  If you do have proof of the encounter, DM me on Discord with it.

---Grant

Mr. Speaker,

I ask for passage by unanimous consent.

I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker,

I ask unanimous consent to correct the bill by deleting the listed cosponsors. They are not actually cosponsors at this time, and were included in error.

I yield the balance of my time.

I also ask to add the following as Section 7:

Section 7. New Flood Insurance Restrictions.

(a) Effective on passage of this bill, no new policies shall be written for buildings being placed in a high-risk flood plain (letter grades A and F).

(b) Effective Jan 1, 2009, policies on insurance written in high-risk flood plains where buildings are, for insurance purposes, totaled, shall not be renewed.

I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker,

I ask to amend the bill by adding the following as Section 6:

Section 6. Evaluation of Necessary Improvements.

The Army Corps of Engineers is hereby directed to  survey the flood control elements in the flooded area. They are then to report back to the Congress the aspects which failed, what improvements or new construction is required, and the estimated cost thereof

I move for passage by unanimous consent.

I yield the balance of my time.

Ms. Smith of Vermont, for herself, Mr. Reyes of New York, Mr. Hughes of Indiana, Mr. Greenspan of Connecticut, and Mr. O'Hallaron of New York, present

A RESOLUTION

To recognize two heroes of the Mclean Mass Shooting.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “McLean Honor Act"

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

As reported by MSNBC: 

In the store was the Primary class of Mr. Jonathan Vincente. Mr. Vincente ran out into the mall to distract Dragov, giving Ms. Cunningham enough time to pull and lock the gate to the store, while she moved the children into the stockroom of the store. Mr. Vincente was gunned down, and died, while Ms. Cunningham received multiple injuries, though she has since recovered.

SECTION 3. AWARDS.

(a) Upon passage of this resolution by both Houses, the Speaker shall present to Jonathan Vincente's next of kin a Congressional Gold Medal.

(b) Upon passage of this resolution by both Houses, the Speaker shall present to Emily Cunningham a Congressional Gold Medal.

SECTION 4. DEFINITION.

(a) A hero, for purposes of this resolution, is someone who does the right thing in a situation where they realize it may or will lead to their death.

PES: Congressional Gold Medal to the family of Jonathan Vincente, killed in the McLean mass shooting distracting the shooters from his class, and Emily Cunningham, who was wounded sufficiently to require hospitalization and surgery in also helping to protect Vincente's class.

Honestly, Mr. Secretary, my wife watches better soap operas.

CS WITA

(this has already been factored in to events - check for funds raised for Emily sent along to the family)

Aye

Aye

Mr. Secretary,

Ted Jones, Burlington Free Press. Given that Congresswoman Smith was belittled by both Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, is it conceivable she was simply turned away by folks following the lead of higher folks? After all, I doubt a first term Congresswoman eould be considered important.

On a related note, is the large increase in infantry brigades she called for actually reasonable?

*assumes the gavel*

By a preponderance of votes in the affirmative, O'Hallaron 1 is agreed to.

*assumes the gavel*

A preponderance of the vote being in the negative, the bill is defeated.

*GAVEL*

*assumes the gavel*

A preponderance of the House having voted in favor of the Amendment, the motion is carried.

*GAVEL*

Mr. Speaker,

I ask to be added as a cosponsor, if the sponsor will accept it.

I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker,

I completely concur with the House Majority Leader.

My previous statement may have been incorrect, and I will be happy to apologize once an explanation of why we need to debate it.

I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker,

Perhaps the Presidential Candidate could explain why a law prohibiting making payments from a PAC to a candidate's spouse needs debate?

Either you support it, or you're planning to divert campaign funds.

I yield the balance of my time.

Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2007

Voting shall commence on the motion to table the bill before the House. An Aye is a vote to table a Nay is a vote to continue debate and the amendment vote. A majority of the Ayes and Nays is required for passage.

Vote until 12:34 PM EDT 24 Apr.

Text of bill:

Ms. Smith of Vermont presents

A BILL

To restore restoration activities in Afghanistan

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2007"

SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC LAW 107-327

(a) Replace "2003 through 2006" in each occurrence with "2003 through 2047"

(b) Replace "2003 through 2005" in each occurrence with "2003 through 2046"

(c) Replace "the authority of this title shall expire after September 30, 2006" with "the authority of this title shall expire after September 30, 2047".

SECTION 3. IMPLEMENTATION.

This act shall take effect immediately upon Constitutional passage.

SECTION 4. EARLY TERMINATION.

(a)This act shall be considered to terminate one year after a successful sunset vote under the Afghan Combat Termination Act, 

PES: A substantial, retroactive extension of the original Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002, subject to Sunset provisions of the Afghan Combat Termination Act.

In the Speaker's absence, pursuant to a conversation I had with him and the still standing announcement announcing my appointment, I am assuming the gavel.

The Point of Privilege by the Gentleman from Virginia is well taken.55

Voting shall commence on the motion to table the bill before the House. An Aye is a vote to table a Nay is a vote to continue debate and the amendment vote. A majority of the Ayes and Nays is required for passage.

Voting will run for 24 hours, until 12:34 PM EDT 24 APR.

Mr. Speaker,

Given the Republican response to my question, I regret I do not believe in the existence of a spiritual Hell.

I yield the balance of my time.