Gun Violence (Cong. Rec., July 12, 2021)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, page S4811, July 12, 2021, under Gun Violence. The speaker states that at least 233 people were killed and 618 injured by gunfire in the United States over the Fourth of July weekend, according to the Gun Violence Archive, and that there have been nearly 23,000 gun violence deaths in America this year. The speaker urges background checks on gun sales and says convicted felons should not buy guns. The remarks then turn to COVID-19 vaccines, citing a Daily Beast essay by Preston Padden on Fox News, and to Senator McConnell's objection to a bipartisan commission on January 6.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Gun Violence (Cong. Rec., July 12, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-07-12-crec-2021-07-12-pt1-pgs4811-5e0b4fc5cb/
, SHA-256 d45ecdc1c3e96256d773cb8f2cc8abf53001233c8aa660eababea68f7e94f87b.Full text
July 12, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4811
returned today from Illinois. For the States. Now it is said repeatedly that operation were shot and wounded. It
first time since January 6, the fence those who are headed to the hospital was the 36th Chicago police officer shot
that was erected to hold back the in- with the most serious strains of this year.
surrectionist mob was removed. We COVID–19—99.5 percent of them were This is madness. Chicago is not alone
hope that we are prepared now to pro- not vaccinated. So the facts are obvi- with this gun violence experience. Life,
tect this Capitol and can get back to ous here. liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
business as usual, but we have to re- I know it is an individual decision on are just cruel taunts if anyone can be
cruit additional Capitol Hill Police to whether to be vaccinated, and I am cut down anywhere in this great coun-
be prepared, we have to work with the sure there may be some Senators who try by gunfire.
National Guard units to be prepared, have decided not to do it, but I was Gun violence is a national crisis. At
and we have to realize the obvious. happy to do it as soon as I could. I least 233 people were killed, and 618
There was a decision made on the floor think the vaccines are protecting me people were injured by gunfire in the
of the U.S. Senate by the Republican and my wife and my family. But in the United States over the Fourth of July
Senate leader just a few weeks ago to meantime, to have these hosts of TV weekend, according to the Gun Vio-
stop any bipartisan effort to establish shows at FOX, in prime time, peddling lence Archive. Shootings are up this
a Commission to ask what happened on this nonsense about vaccines being un- year in big cities but also in suburbs
January 6 and how it can be avoided in necessary and COVID–19 being no and rural areas. Don’t believe it is only
the future. Senator MCCONNELL ob- threat can only be summarized in a blue cities. It is blue cities and red cit-
jected to a bipartisan, evenly-split statement which concluded this arti- ies and purple cities and small towns.
Already this year, there have been
Commission to investigate that ter- cle:
nearly 23,000 gun violence deaths in
rible day. The GOP Senate leader In a recent opinion essay for The Daily
America. Did you hear that? This year,
killed that idea several weeks ago. Beast by Preston Padden, a former high-level
I want to commend Speaker PELOSI, executive at Fox Broadcasting wrote that 23,000 gun violence deaths in America—
who is trying her best through a spe- Fox News had ‘‘contributed substantially that includes more than 12,000 by sui-
cial committee in the House of Rep- and directly’’ to ‘‘the unnecessary deaths of cide and fatalities from more than 340
many Americans by fueling hesitation and mass shootings. Sadly, virtually every
resentatives to have a bipartisan inves-
doubt about the efficacy and safety of life- weekend there is a mass shooting in
tigation. It should have been done saving Covid-19 vaccines.’’ He singled out the the city of Chicago, which I represent—
through this Commission. Senator channel’s prime-time opinion programs for 340 mass shootings, nearly 2 a day.
MCCONNELL stopped it. blame. No other nation on Earth experiences
There is one other element I would
I want to commend those at FOX who this massive civilian slaughter. Neither
like to raise when it comes to free
have stood up and said the right thing should we. We must do more to keep
speech in the time of pandemic. What
about these vaccines, but I also want guns out of the hands of criminals and
caught my eye in this morning’s paper,
to take issue with those who are using others who are prohibited from having
as I mentioned earlier, was this article them.
this vaccine, for whatever purpose, to
about FOX Primetime. They recounted I met with the mayor of Chicago to
mislead and confuse American people
the fact that over the last several talk about the Fourth of July weekend.
about its necessity, its effectiveness,
months, FOX had been losing ground to We both agreed that more has to be
and its safety. They are not doing
CNN, and questioning the effectiveness done, and we are determined to work
America any favors, and I hope that
of the COVID–19 vaccines became a with President Biden, who is com-
FOX will come to its senses.
split decision at the FOX network. mitted to this issue as well. But we
If there are things that can remove
Some of the leaders at FOX obviously also believe that we need to enforce the
you from the air for being said on a
believe strongly in the vaccine, and I laws that are on the books. Specifi-
program, I certainly hope that the
commend them. I do too. Rupert cally, we need to make sure that guns
management of the station will cau-
Murdoch was vaccinated in December. are not being sold to people without a
When a list of those who supported tion Tucker Carlson and Laura
Ingraham for the statements they have background check.
the effort to encourage the use of vac- Convicted felons have no business
cines across America was taken at made in opposition to vaccines.
GUN VIOLENCE
buying a gun, nor do people who are
FOX, they put together a 30-second mentally unstable. But, unfortunately,
spot featuring host and anchor Steve Madam President, the Fourth of they can. There are many loopholes in
Doocy, Harris Faulkner, Dana Perino, July, of course, is a night when you the law. There are ways to sell these
and John Roberts. Ms. Faulkner said in may not be able to get to bed early, guns at a gun show, without a back-
that ad by FOX: ‘‘If you can, get the with a lot of fireworks in celebration of ground check, or over the internet or
vaccine.’’ Bret Baier, chief political an- our Nation’s birthday, and it is cele- ghost guns, which have no, basically,
chor at FOX News, said in an brated from one corner of America to identifying serial number.
Instagram post that he was grateful for the next. But sadly, in many places on We have to do more to keep guns out
the shot of vaccine. The hosts of ‘‘FOX this Fourth of July, the noise you were of the hands of criminals, and we can if
& Friends’’ spoke of the relief they felt hearing was not fireworks; it was gun- we will just stand up—both parties
in becoming vaccinated. Sean Hannity fire. stand up—and say: Enough. This is ri-
himself said: One hundred and four people were diculous, it is cruel, and it is heart-
I do believe in science, and I believe in vac- shot in Chicago. One hundred and four breaking.
cinations. Talk to your doctor. You don’t people were shot in Chicago on the I have spoken with the mayor about
need to talk to people on TV and radio that Fourth of July weekend. Nineteen died. the crisis in Chicago, and President
aren’t doctors. Among the wounded were 13 children Biden did the same when he came to Il-
Which goes to the point of this mes- and 2 Chicago police supervisors. The linois last week. Today, the President
sage. There are two hosts of programs dead included, in Chicago, a National is meeting at the White House with law
on FOX Primetime who can only be Guard member who was aspiring to enforcement, local elected officials,
characterized as anti-vax quacks. I am join the Chicago Police Department. and others to discuss his administra-
referring, of course, to Tucker Carlson The week before the holiday, a 1- tion’s efforts to reduce gun crimes.
and Laura Ingraham. They have been month-old baby girl was shot in the The American Rescue Plan, which
spreading what I consider to be irre- head during a mass shooting. A 20- passed the U.S. Senate without a single
sponsible information about vaccines year-old University of Chicago student, Republican vote in support, included
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
across America and about the effort of just riding on the L train, coming funding that communities can use for
this Nation to deal with them. home from an internship at an invest- youth unemployment programs, men-
Here is the reality. We have millions ment firm in The Loop, was hit by a tal health services, and other strate-
who have died across the world from stray bullet. He, too, died. gies to break the cycle of violence. The
this virus. We may never have an accu- Two days after the Fourth of July COVID rescue plan also included fund-
rate count. We have hundreds of thou- weekend, two ATF agents and a Chi- ing for local law enforcement to im-
sands who have died in the United cago police officer on an undercover prove community policing practices.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:37 Jul 13, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G12JY6.004 S12JYPT1
S4812 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 12, 2021
The Republicans like to make a big first former ATF agent to head the Bu- region. We are taking it seriously. I am
thing about the statements from some reau, and this experience has equipped glad to say that President Biden has
people about defunding the police. I him with the skills he needs. joined in restoring the Great Lakes
never supported that, and most of the Chipman would only be the second Restoration Initiative, which President
people I know had nothing to do with confirmed Director in the Agency’s his- Obama began.
it. But here they are defunding the po- tory, as I mentioned. A lifelong gun The Great Lakes are a great asset,
lice themselves and voting against the owner, he knows firsthand the respon- but they are also a great reminder that
American Rescue Plan. sibility of gun ownership and the com- we all face climate change in our own
That plan is going to provide law en- monsense safety measures that go hand home areas.
forcement more resources. We want in hand with it. I yield the floor.
that money to be spent properly, and He is uniquely positioned to counter I suggest the absence of a quorum
we certainly want law enforcement to a false narrative, pushed by the gun The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
discharge their duties in a professional lobby, that he has a radical or some- pore. The clerk will call the roll.
way. But additional resources can be how contrary to the Second Amend- The legislative clerk proceeded to
and will be used effectively. I am sorry ment view. call the roll.
that not one single Republican Senator Chipman’s knowledge of firearms and Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I
voted for that plan. I think it is not gun policy is unparalleled. He gained ask unanimous consent that the order
defunding the police; it is defending his insight not only working in law en- for the quorum call be rescinded.
the police with the American Rescue forcement but also as an adviser to one The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
Plan provisions. of the Nation’s top violence prevention DUCKWORTH). Without objection, it is
President Biden’s American Jobs organizations. so ordered.
Plan, which we are now going to con- Congress and the Biden administra- NOMINATION OF JEN EASTERLY
sider soon, is an opportunity for us to tion must take action to address gun Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I
consider $5 billion to fund community violence in the city of Chicago, in the rise in support of Jen Easterly’s nomi-
violence prevention programs. I have city of Springfield, IL, and all across nation to serve as Director of the Cy-
introduced my bill, the RISE from this Nation. It is an urgent issue for all bersecurity and Infrastructure Secu-
Trauma Act, which would implement of us. That is why we should pick, as rity Agency, commonly referred to as
the proposal by funding trusted mem- quickly as we can, a leader like David CISA.
bers of the community to tackle trau- Chipman to lead the ATF Agency. Before the Senate adjourned for the
ma and the pain that is at the root of CLIMATE July 4 holiday, I stood right here and
violence. Madam President, I will conclude by urged my colleagues to confirm her for
Last month, the President announced saying that this has been an unusual this vital position. I was disappointed
the creation of a new strike force, to be weather time in our country. We have that a Republican colleague blocked
headed by the Justice Department, seen things happening that are unpar- Ms. Easterly’s swift confirmation at
that will crack down on illegal drug alleled in history—extreme weather in that time, but I appreciate that he has
trafficking in Chicago, New York, Los the Chicago area, tornadoes, to the now resolved his concerns and that we
Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, baking 120-degree heat of the North- can move forward today.
and Washington, DC. I support this west, to even a warning of a tornado I warned that, without confirming
step. here in Washington, DC. Strange Ms. Easterly, we risked leaving our-
NOMINATION OF DAVID H. CHIPMAN things are occurring. selves vulnerable to cyber attacks, and
Madam President, we have before us When you hear about these wildfires in the 2 weeks since I last called on my
a nomination. I am not sure when it in California and Oregon, there is a colleagues to approve this critical
will be called, but it was a product of natural inclination, if you don’t live in nomination, nation-state actors and
our Judiciary Committee. David that area, to dismiss them, to say: criminal organizations have continued
Chipman was nominated by President That didn’t happen in my backyard— their relentless targeting of the United
Biden, to serve as the next Director of not in my backyard. Well, I have to States.
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire- say, we ought to wake up to the re- Over the July 4 weekend, we learned
arms and Explosives. ality. Extreme weather and the results that U.S. software company Kaseya
Madam President, you know the an- of global warming are coming to every- was the target of a major ransomware
swer to this question but most don’t: one’s backyard. We have to come to the attack that has impacted hundreds and
When was the last time that Agency realization that it is time for us to pre- possibly thousands of businesses and
had a Director chosen by Congress pare this Nation to turn back the im- organizations worldwide. Days later,
through the orderly process? Well, it pacts of climate change and global we saw reports that a Republican Na-
was about 6 years ago. That was the warming. Those fires are burning in tional Committee contractor had been
last time. It turned out to be the only California and Oregon, but they reflect attacked in an attempt to target the
time in the history of the Agency. the situation which is dangerous for all RNC.
But why would an Agency of the gov- of us. Unfortunately, these are only the
ernment go on for years without a duly We are waiting to investigate and latest of several recent cyber attacks
selected Director? Well, it was an in- bring in engineering groups with the that threaten our government, critical
tentional strategy by those gun groups Surfside, FL, building collapse, that infrastructure, and key industries.
to make sure that this Agency, as im- terrible tragedy which claimed, I am These attackers will stop at nothing to
portant as it is, didn’t have a leader, sure, I am sad to say, over 100 lives. We infiltrate our networks, and we ur-
and as a consequence was not as effec- think climate change may have had gently need qualified, Senate-con-
tive as it should be. something to do with that. The rising firmed cyber security leaders in place
David Chipman was born in New water table and the infiltration of salt- to fight back.
Hampshire and has a B.S. from Amer- water from the oceans may have With more than three decades of
ican University and an M.S. from caused the decline in the stability of cyber security expertise and service in
Johns Hopkins. In our committee, we the foundation of that building. We the public and private sectors, Ms. Eas-
recognized the fact that he had 25 years will only know after the engineers can terly is more than qualified to lead
of law enforcement experience. He is a look at it more closely. CISA. We need her in place imme-
responsible gun owner himself, and he In the area of the Great Lakes—we diately so she can get to work with
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
has advocated for commonsense gun love our Great Lakes—Lake Michigan agencies, businesses, and others to re-
safety measures. is one of the most beloved aspects of cover from recent cyber attacks and to
I think he is well qualified to serve as our State and in the city of Chicago, strengthen cyber security defenses be-
the head of the ATF. He spent decades but 2 or 3 days ago, in the New York fore the next attack.
working in that Agency, including Times, there was a front-page story I appreciate that my colleagues on
serving as a special agent in Virginia, about what is happening with the the other side of the aisle have with-
Texas, and Michigan. He would be the Great Lakes and the instability of that drawn their objections and that the
VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:37 Jul 13, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G12JY6.006 S12JYPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2021-07-12_crec-2021-07-12-pt1-pgs4811.pdf
- Size
- 217,386 bytes
- SHA-256
- d45ecdc1c3e96256d773cb8f2cc8abf53001233c8aa660eababea68f7e94f87b
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov