(Friday, July 13, 2001) -- The House of Representatives shot down
the Incumbent Protection Bill yesterday by a vote of 228-203.
Victory came from a surprising corner of the House... from the
supporters of the bill itself! Nineteen Republicans joined 209
disgruntled Democrats who could not agree on the rules for debating
the anti-gun legislation.
The supporters couldn't agree on the rules because they couldn't
agree on the specifics in the bill.
According to the Associated Press this morning, the Republican
leadership crafted a rule for debate that would force "separate
votes on killing a dozen late-hour changes" that the sponsors of the
bill wanted to incorporate. The sponsors had asked that the package
of changes be considered as a whole.
Democrats were furious with the terms of debate, so they voted to
sink their own bill. But there's even more good news. As stated by
Salon magazine yesterday, the math on this bill shows the
anti-freedom forces have been losing a war of attrition over the
years: "On the other side of the aisle, 54 Republicans supported
the bill in 1999, and 61 in 1998." But yesterday, only 19
Republicans supported the Incumbent Protection Bill, a total
decrease of almost 70 percent in three years.
"This victory should encourage gun owners," said GOA Executive
Director Larry Pratt. "Your activism is important. It does make a
difference, and our rights would be in greater jeopardy if you
remained silent."
The Incumbent Protection Bill would squelch the ability of groups
like GOA to report on a candidate's record during a campaign. The
anti-gun bill has now been put off indefinitely, and House Speaker
Dennis Hastert (R) said he had no plans to bring up Incumbent
Protection in the near future. Hill watchers predict the bill could
be dead for the legislative session. Although House Minority Leader
Dick Gephardt (D) says he might turn to a discharge petition which
would force the Incumbent Protection Bill to the floor for a vote if
Representatives can garner 218 signatures.
Please stay tuned. GOA will keep you abreast on further
developments with this anti-gun legislation.
Attention Pro-gun Business Owners!
The GOA webmall, expected to open near the end of next month, will
allow merchants to sell guns, ammo, and firearms-related merchandise
through the GOA website. Best of all, there are NO up-front costs
to vendors -- and NO ongoing account fees. For details on how your
business can become a part of this ground-breaking enterprise,
please contact GOA via e-mail at goamail@gunowners.org or by phone
at 703-321-8585.
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