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This week, Democrats brought to the floor two gun control bills full of misguided policies that do nothing to combat gun violence, but instead interfere with law-abiding Americans’ right to bear arms. When the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) does not provide an immediate result, the FBI has a three-day window to complete a more thorough background check. H.R. 1112 arbitrarily increases this timeframe to ten business days. Afterwards, there still may be no result, potentially requiring a law-abiding citizen to petition DOJ which has another ten business days to respond. During this time, the original NICS background check request (valid for 30 calendar days) could lapse, effectively preventing someone from purchasing a firearm for no reason other than inefficient government bureaucracy.
Secondly, H.R. 8 imposes a universal background check, foolishly presuming criminals will submit themselves to background checks and, in turn, prevent the criminal misuse of firearms. While H.R. 8 is highly flawed, Republicans successfully passed a motion to improve it by requiring that Immigration and Customs Enforcement be notified when an illegal immigrant tries to buy a gun. Simply put, when someone in the country illegally submits to NICS, law enforcement should not be kept in the dark.
Without measures that prevent criminals from obtaining firearms, both H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112 egregiously infringe upon Second Amendment rights, significantly increasing the burden of millions of Americans who wish to purchase guns lawfully. Furthermore, neither of these bills would have prevented any of the tragic mass shootings that have occurred recently. A common thread in many of these tragedies is that authorities failed to share information and appropriately respond to known threats. That’s why, last Congress, President Trump signed legislation that strengthens the federal background checks system by penalizing federal agencies that fail to report relevant criminal records to the FBI, which manages NICS. This law also creates incentives for states to improve their reporting and directs federal funding to make sure domestic violence records are accurately reported to the FBI. These provisions are examples of solutions to gun violence that do NOT constitute new gun control measures, but rather enhance the enforcement of existing gun laws. Democrats, on the other hand, prefer to restrict rights than protect Americans by upholding the rule of law.
Watching the Senate vote against the motion to proceed on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act on Monday was absolutely heart-breaking. In the House, Republicans have repeatedly called for the same legislation to be passed by unanimous consent, but each time the Democrats have blocked the motion. This bill is about protecting newborn life—life that is viable outside the womb. It does nothing to change Roe v. Wade. Woefully misguided opponents say, “no one truly wants to abort a baby late in pregnancy.” If that is the case, then why are Democrats lock-step in their denial of medical care to the children who, against all odds, have a fighting chance of survival after a botched abortion? It is appalling and indefensible that leaders in our country now support infanticide in the name of “choice,” but Republicans are prepared to continue leading the charge to support mothers with life-affirming options and uphold human dignity at every stage of life.
On Monday, the House passed S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. This bill includes provisions that increase access to federal lands for sportsmen. It clarifies that all Bureau of Land Management and National Forest System lands shall be open to hunting, recreational shooting and fishing unless explicitly closed for safety or other reasons decided with public input. Opening our public lands to these activities will support the over 260,000 outdoor industry jobs in North Carolina. The bill also takes the important step of reauthorizing the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area to preserve our nation’s most visited—and most beautiful—national park. While the work to comprehensively address the National Park Services’ maintenance backlog does not end here, I am pleased to send this important legislation to the President’s desk.
| Career Education for Vets |
Our veterans return to the civilian workforce with a wide array of skills, yet often struggle transitioning into in-demand careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. That’s why this week I was proud to support the passage of H.R. 425, the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act. This bill requires the strategic coordination of federal programs to assist veterans and military spouses with the transition into STEM careers that are vitally important for our nation and will give veterans great career paths.
During Black History Month in February, we especially remember the enduring contributions of great Americans, like Dr. Manderline Scales, who was one of four black teachers to integrate Winston-Salem schools. Click here or the image below to watch my remarks to honor her on the House floor this week.
| North Carolinians in the Capitol |
American Association of Orthodontists |
National Association for Education of Young Children |
Nancy and David Phillips with the American Legion |
NC Farm Bureau Young Farmers |
Rosalia Polanco and Jennifer Preston |
Triad Association of Health Underwriters |
Next week, the House will debate legislation that would severely impede on our First Amendment rights and infringe on our states’ administration of elections under the guise of democratic reforms. I look forward to a spirited debate about the preservation of our freedoms.
Sincerely,
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