U.S. Senate opts for special interests
Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there were statesmen who put the wishes and welfare of American citizens before those of special interests. Alas, we know now those days are a bygone era. I am talking about Congress – speci cally in this case about the U.S. Senate.
One would think that when 90 percent of the American people are in favor of an issue, it would be a no-brainer for elected of cials to pass it. Not so. There were not enough senators who could muster the courage to vote for guncontrol legislation that would expand background checks to cover all gun-show and online sales of rearms. The vote was 54-46 in favor of the legislation, but because of Senate rules, 60 votes were required to pass it, allowing a minority to stand in the way of what was a bipartisan measure.
The National Ri e Association and other pro-gun groups put out misinformation, distorted the language of the legislation and played to gunlovers who still believe, in this day and age, that the Second Amendment to the Constitution is in jeopardy of being eliminated. Even so, as I noted, national polls still showed 90 percent of the American people thought the legislation was a good idea to help curb gun violence. Oh, there were a few pro les in courage. For one, Louisiana’s Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, who is facing re-election next year. She knew the Republican Party was waiting and watching to see how she would vote. To her credit, she voted for the legislation to expand background checks because it was the right thing to do even though it may put her re-election in jeopardy in a red state that is de nitely gun-crazy. Nevertheless, even in Louisiana, polls showed 56 percent supported the expanded background checks.
Four Republican senators also displayed some courage by voting for the legislation – Susan Collins of Maine, Mark Kirk of Illinois, John McCain of Arizona and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. Then there were the four Democrats who caved to the pressure from the NRA and voted no – Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Begich of Alaska, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. The vote came after the families of those killed in Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings came to Capitol Hill to lobby senators and sat in the Senate galley as the vote was taken. The outcome of this vote indicates two things that are prevalent in Washington these days. First, re-election is the No. 1 priority of our lawmakers. And two, there are many members of Congress who respond to special interests rather than to their constituents. It is a pattern that has been the culture of Congress for quite a while now. Special interest groups, such as the NRA, have big bank accounts and buy their in uence by lling the campaign coffers of politicians. Of the current 100 Senate members, exactly half have received contributions from the NRA – 88 percent of them went to Republicans. So, who do you think members of Congress will side with? Since 1990, the NRA and other progun groups have contributed more than $48 million to politicians to buy their in uence. Of course, not all of the money went to politicians. The NRA recently spent a bundle to sponsor a NASCAR race. Not to worry, though. The NRA continuously receives untold millions from gun manufacturers as well as its dues-paying members.
Perhaps, the NRA may be in for a dose of its own medicine. It claimed victory after releasing a letter in opposition to the expanded background checks, noting it would score the vote. Heaven forbid. Forty-six senators immediately ran and punched the “no” button. But in a turn of events, gun-safety groups are angry and are already out promising they’ll hold senators to account come election season for voting against the guncontrol measure.
Meanwhile, in a land not so far away, known as Baton Rouge, some legislators are obsessed with more pro-gun laws even though the Bayou State already has some of the strongest pro-gun laws in the country. Never mind there are more important issues on the plates of the legislators, such as budget de cits, cuts to higher education, cuts to health care and the demolishing by the governor of the state’s charity hospital system.
State House members passed a bill by State Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, 67-25, although many lawmakers said it was unconstitutional and could result in charges of malfeasance in of ce. The bill states Louisiana would not have to abide by any federally imposed gun-control laws. So, while professing to protect the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this bill violates the Supremacy Clause language in the Constitution, which says U.S. laws and the Constitution supersede state laws.
The House then voted 76-18 in favor of a bill by state Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City, which makes it illegal to release, distribute or publish the names of concealed handgun permit holders. I don’t know about you, but I would like to know if some mentally unstable person is packing concealed heat.
Both bills still have to face Senate scrutiny. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, but I am not holding out much hope for that. My advice to our legislators: Holster your pro-gun legislation and get on with the issues that really matter for our state.
Lou Gehrig Burnett, an award-winning journalist, has been involved with politics for 44 years and was a congressional aide in Washington, D.C., for 27 years. He also served as executive assistant to former Shreveport Mayor Bo Williams. Burnett is the publisher of the weekly “FaxNet Update” and can be reached at 861-0552 or louburnett@comcast.net.
