Richard Nugent

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. The gentleman talks about States' rights. We agree, there are States that do not have concealed-carry permits. So it is within the States' rights to decide how they are going to regulate that particular issue in regards to weapons in their State. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina, Dr. Foxx.

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In 2007 a Colorado man named Matthew Murray allegedly wrote online, ``All I want to do is kill and injure as many Christians as I can.'' Murray then went on to a shooting rampage, first killing two young students at a missionary training center outside of Denver. And then at a gathering of 7,000 people in and around the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a rifle and a backpack full of ammunition, Murray entered the church and opened fire, killing two sisters. Murray was ultimately stopped and killed by a church member and a volunteer security guard, Jeanne Assam, who has a concealed-carry permit and once worked in law enforcement. Assam shot Murray several times, leading him to kill himself. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. NUGENT. For the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Worcester, Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 463 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NUGENT. I rise today in support of House Resolution 463, a rule which provides for the consideration of an important piece of legislation, H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. I am proud to sponsor this rule, which provides for a structured amendment process that will allow Members to have a thorough debate on a wide variety of relevant and germane amendments to H.R. 822. We have allowed 10 amendments to this bill--two Republican amendments and eight Democratic amendments. Even on a contentious bill, a bill where it would be easy to shut down the process, we not only are allowing amendments, but of those that we will be debating on the floor, the vast majority are Democratic amendments. We did this not because it was the easy thing to do; we did it because it was the right thing to do. It brought transparency to the debate, and it is in keeping with the promises that the Republican Party made to the American people for a freer, more open process. Madam Speaker, until coming to this body 10 months ago, I had spent my entire career as a cop, the last 10 years as sheriff of Hernando County, Florida. During my 38 years in law enforcement, I found that disarming honest citizens does nothing to reduce crime. If anything, all it does is keep law-abiding citizens from being able to defend themselves from violent criminals. Although I know this just from my anecdotal experience, research backs up the claim. For example, statistics indicate that citizens with carry permits are more law-abiding than the general public. In my home State of Florida, only 0.01 percent of nearly 1.2 million permits have been revoked because of firearm crimes committed by permit holders. Additionally, evidence indicates that crime declines in States with right-to-carry laws. Since Florida became a right-to-carry State in 1987, Florida's total violent crime and murder rates have dropped 32 percent and 58 percent, respectively. Because of this evidence, as well as my firsthand experience, I am a proud defender of our Second Amendment right: ensuring ``the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'' My history as a law enforcement officer is also why I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. H.R. 822 is a good, bipartisan bill, which enhances the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners. Today, if I drive from my home State of Florida into Georgia, Georgia recognizes that my Florida driver's license is still valid even once I cross the State line. H.R. 822 would require States to recognize each other's legally issued concealed carry permits in the same way. This legislation would take a comprehensive approach to helping law-abiding citizens navigate the patchwork of State concealed carry laws. H.R. 822 does not--let me repeat--does not create a national concealed carry permit system nor does it establish any nationalized standard for a carry permit. H.R. 822 respects the States' abilities to create their own gun usage laws as well as their own permitting processes. I am sure that we will hear arguments from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle saying that H.R. 822 somehow makes it easier for people to get a gun. Let me assure you that, again, this is not the case. This legislation does not mandate that anyone suddenly be given a gun nor does it relax any of a State's current permitting laws. During my nearly 40 years as a cop, I learned you just can't talk about guns. When you're talking about gun crime, you need to look at two distinct classes of guns: there are legal guns, and there are illegal guns. I can tell you, as a cop, you don't worry about the legal guns, the guns that people bought from an authorized source, that they registered with the proper authorities, that they took the necessary classes to learn how to use responsibly, and that they got their legal concealed carry permit. In my experience, you worry about the illegal guns, guns that somebody purposefully bought off the radar, either because they aren't legally allowed to own a gun or because they're going to use them for illegal purposes. H.R. 822 doesn't get into that difference. What it does is ensures that legal gun owners don't accidentally break a law simply because they brought their fully permitted gun into another State. This legislation gives peace of mind to Americans traveling across State lines with a legally registered, concealed firearm, knowing that they can practice their constitutional right to bear arms. Again, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 822 and support its passage. With that, I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule, ``yes'' on the underlying legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, my colleague on the other side of the aisle talks about a jobs bill. We're not talking about it right now. But if you look at this card, we have over 20 jobs bills that have passed out of this body that are sitting in the Senate today. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Woodall).

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I advise my colleague from Massachusetts that I have one remaining speaker.

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Pompeo).

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I am always amazed at what goes on in these Chambers. We hear from the other side of the aisle about talking about jobs, even though this House has passed 20--20, count them--jobs bills. If you don't believe it, read it. We talk about issues about ``In God We Trust.'' I think it is something that we should affirm here in America, about our belief in God. I believe that the Second Amendment is not a special interest group. I believe the Second Amendment needs to be protected at all costs. You've heard some in this House that would take away our right to even carry or possess a firearm. Madam Speaker, in 40 years in law enforcement, it wasn't just guns that killed people; it was every object imaginable, from fists to feet to pipes to kitchen knives and baseball bats. Madam Speaker, this is about the ability for those that have a legitimate carry permit to go across the State line and not be subject to arrest, someone who makes an honest mistake by going across the State line that doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with their current State and they have a carry permit. Madam Speaker, this is more about what's right with America in regards to upholding our Second Amendment, our constitutional right. And so those that are in favor of doing away with all types of guns, I guess, it smacks that they disagree with our Founding Fathers and our Second Amendment right. Madam Speaker, I support this rule and encourage my colleagues to support it as well. H.R. 822 protects the rights of legal gun owners throughout the United States. I've heard this debate this afternoon about the dangers of gun crime. I completely agree. Guns are dangerous tools that need to be treated with respect. Guns can be used by people to kill other people. However, what I saw in those 40 years as a cop is we need to talk about these in broader terms. What we really need to do is talk about the difference between legal and illegal guns. Most people who use a gun to kill a human being are not just using a gun they obtained legally, that they are licensed legally, that they got a legal concealed-carry permit for. When you look at the numbers of CCW permit holders that have actually violated the law, at least in the State of Florida, it's .001 percent. There are people that are criminals, and they're criminals simply for having a firearm. Even in the State of Florida, a felon can't possess a firearm. The discussion of what to do with these folks and how to keep them from illegally possessing a firearm is another debate at another time. Today we're talking about one thing. We're talking about legal gun owners to legally travel from one State to another that have a concealed weapons permit. I support that effort, and that's why I'm a proud cosponsor--and stand here today--of H.R. 822 and as the sponsor of this rule, H. Res. 463. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this strongly--I underline ``strongly''--bipartisan legislation. With that, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. NUGENT. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. NUGENT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. NUGENT. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NUGENT. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, born September 13, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois, Byron Day Tate, Jr., spent his early years working alongside his brother as a brass and iron molder. On November 14, 1942, Byron answered the call to service and enlisted in the United States Army. While in the service, he saw action with the 1st Army across the European Theater under the command of General Omar Bradley. He joined the D-day invasion force in July of 1944 and saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge. After returning to Chicago as a decorated and proud Army veteran, he married the love of his life, Mildred, and like so many of our brave World War II heroes, he went on to become part of the greatest generation the world has ever seen. On October 20, 2011, my uncle Byron Day Tate, Jr., passed away at his home in Macon, Georgia. With his passing, however, I'm reminded that without the hard work and selfless sacrifice and attitude of our World War II veterans, this Nation truly would not be what it is today.

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As a Member of Congress who represents one of the largest veterans communities in the United States, I recognize the significant responsibility that Congress has to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits that they so honorably have earned. These true American heroes answered the call of duty and put their lives on the line to protect our country, our freedoms, and our way of life. It's important to remember that these proud Americans also spent their lives working hard, playing by the rules, and saving for a stable retirement. That is why today I am happy to rise in support of the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011. This legislation will provide our proud veterans with their first cost-of- living adjustment since 2009. Mr. Speaker, we as a Nation owe our veterans a debt that can never fully be repaid. However, as Members of Congress, we can ensure that we keep our promise to our veterans by supporting this important legislation.

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great son of Trinity, Florida, Corporal Justin Gaertner of the United States Marine Corps First Combat Engineer Battalion. I have had the honor of getting to know Justin over the past year, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to share his story. After being deployed to Afghanistan, Justin took on one of the most dangerous jobs there is in the Marine Corps. He was the lead sweeper, clearing roads of IEDs in advance of U.S. vehicles. On November 26, 2010, Justin's unit was traveling with an eight-truck convoy. One of the trucks struck an IED. Following the explosion, one of Justin's good friends, Corporal Gabriel Martinez, lost both of his legs in a second IED attack while he rushed to aid that downed vehicle. Justin desperately wanted to help his friend, but his responsibility was to continue the mission, to continue to sweep for IEDs to ensure the safety of the rest of the convoy. It was during the sweep that a third IED was remotely detonated as Justin had just entered that area. The explosion propelled Justin into the air and took both of his legs and severely injured one of his arms. Justin paid a terrible price that day while helping to protect fellow marines. When I first met Justin at Walter Reed Army Hospital in January of this year, he was more concerned about his brother marines that were still in country than he was about his own safety. He wanted to return to that company of marines to help ensure the safety of his fellow marines that were still left in Afghanistan. That's what heroes do. He's since made an incredible recovery while at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, but that was with the help of dedicated medical staff, the support of his mother and his family and of fellow marines. Justin is getting stronger every day. When I first met Justin in January of this year, he told me one of his future goals was to compete in a marathon. Today I'm proud to announce that this past weekend, less than 1 year since he was wounded in combat, Justin completed the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon in the hand crank division in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 39 seconds. Justin and his family have been an inspiration to me and make us all proud to be Americans because of their sacrifice on the battlefield. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I want to take this opportunity to again thank Justin for his bravery and his sacrifice on behalf of his Nation. And I want to thank all the troops that have been in harm's way, that have volunteered to protect this great Nation at great risk to themselves. Shades of Green

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, on October 12, 2011, the House took an important step in addressing the alarming number of unemployed veterans currently living within the United States by passing the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act. Known as the VOW Act, this legislation will confront the rising unemployment problems that our veterans in the U.S. are facing by providing veterans of past eras with additional training benefits, ensuring all transitioning servicemembers have access to a transition assistance program, and by strengthening protections under USERRA for our National Guard and Reserve troops. As a father of three sons currently serving in the United States Army, I have a deep appreciation for the service our men and women in uniform have given to this country. Additionally, one of my priorities when I came to Washington was to ensure that when our troops return home, they have jobs and a strong economy to come to. This legislation is a great first step in fulfilling our responsibilities to all veterans who have sacrificed much on behalf of this Nation. With that in mind, I was proud to support the passage of the VOW Act. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to address an often overlooked but important part of breast cancer awareness. One percent of all breast cancer patients are men. In 2010, almost 1,970 new male breast cancer cases were reported. Although the current survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer is about 87 percent, the rate for men drops to 79 percent. The discrepancy is because many men don't think breast cancer can affect them. As such, they are often diagnosed after the cancer has developed into more advanced stages. One of my constituents in Florida's Fifth District, Herb Wagner, is a 6-year male breast cancer survivor. After his diagnosis in 2005, Herb and his family founded A Man's Pink. The goal of A Man's Pink is to bring awareness to male breast cancer. Early detection is crucial in fighting any type of cancer, and men need to be reminded that breast cancer does not just affect women. For more information on male breast cancer, I encourage folks to learn about A Man's Pink. In the meantime, anybody with concerns should contact their doctor.

Mr. NUGENT

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 419 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NUGENT. I yield the gentleman 30 additional seconds.

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I love listening to my friend from Florida (Mr. Hastings). We talk about what the EPA and what this rule and underlying legislation will do. What they fail to point out is that any Member, Democrat or Republican, as it relates to any issue that this rule and the underlying legislation will address, has the ability, has the ability to submit an amendment, an amendment process that allows us, if the bill is flawed, in our estimation, to submit an amendment, bring it up for the House, have a debate on it, and let's talk about it. There are ways to fix legislation, not just kill it. There are ways that we can do things as it relates to, you know, business. When we talk about the ability for these companies, I will tell you that I got a different flavor on it. Not from the EPA--of course they have their own take on what's going to work and isn't going to work--but I have heard from, actually, manufacturers that it will cost jobs. It will be to their advantage, if they want, to actually load up their stuff, put it on a truck and take it to Mexico where there are no air quality standards at all, none, and we'll breathe that air forever. My good friend brought up about CutGo, and I really need to talk about that. First of all, H.R. 2681 and 2250 fully comply with the rules of the House, including CutGo. The CBO cost estimates clearly state that neither of these bills affect direct spending. While it may actually force the EPA to revisit the rule, they have the staff to do it. It's not like it's a new mandate to them. It's not a new program. It meets within the majority leader's legislative protocols, including discretionary CutGo. These bills do not authorize any new appropriations, which is one of the tests for discretionary CutGo. These bills do not create any new program or office. That's an additional test on discretionary CutGo. And rulemaking is a basic, basic function of federal agencies and particularly the EPA; so they certainly have the staff available to do it without additional costs. That's part of what their job is. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Woodall).

Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to remind my colleagues that this does not violate CutGo. Clearly on its face, as he said, making my point, this does not authorize any new spending, not a penny. With that, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). (Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)