'Terror Gap' Allows Terrorists To Purchase Guns, Explosives

By Benny Martinez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee today that there are loopholes in the United States’ current gun laws that allow known and suspected terrorists to legally purchase guns and explosives.

“To put it simply, right now the Federal Government cannot block the sale of explosives or firearms to someone because they are on the terrorist watch list,” Lautenberg said.

According to a statement released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), since 2004, terrorists attempted to purchase guns and explosives in the United States with a 91 percent success rate. Lautenberg said that these figures are perfect examples of how the “Terror Gap” is being exploited in this country.

The Senator has introduced new legislation that would close this loophole in the U.S. by giving the Attorney General the authority to stop the sale or transfer of guns or explosives to terrorists. In an effort to protect America’s right to bear arms, Lautenberg said that in this new legislation, a gun holder who disagrees with the Attorney General’s finding has the power to challenge the ruling.

“This commonsense legislation is not anti-gun, it’s anti-terrorism,” he sad.

In light of Saturday’s incident where an SUV loaded with flammables and explosive material was abandoned in Times Square, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was invited to the hearing and testified in support of the new legislation.

“At a time when the threat of terrorism is still very real...it is imperative that Congress close this terror gap in our gun laws, and close it quickly,” he said.

Similar legislation is currently being drafted on the House side.

Democrats Say No To Offshore Drilling In Wake Of Oil Spill

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico / Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama’s plan to explore the possibility of drilling offshore the East Coast is being met with strong Democratic opposition in the wake of the massive oil spill off the Gulf Coast.

New Jersey Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg teamed up with Florida Senator Bill Nelson Tuesday for a press conference outside the Capitol to voice their opposition to the future of offshore drilling.

“The president's proposal for offshore drilling is dead on arrival,” said Nelson.

The trio of Senators said that if the Obama administration plans to pass climate change legislation in the near future, offshore drilling provisions must not be included. In addition, they are also backing legislation to increase the payment cap oil companies are accountable for.

According to Menendez, British Petroleum, owners of the oil well that is currently spewing thousands of gallons into the Gulf, is responsible for paying for the cleanup. But the amount they must pay is capped at $75 million, a figure Senator Menendez says will not begin to compensate losses suffered by coastal business and communities

Nelson expressed the gravity of the situation by saying he will do what ever it takes to avoid legislation that includes provisions promoting offshore drilling.

“This legislation’s not going anywhere,” Nelson said. “If I have to do a filibuster, I will do so again.”

NYC Mayor Says America Needs More Immigrants, Not Less

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico / Talk Radio News Service

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the United States needs more immigration in order to stabilize an otherwise faltering economy.

Moderated by PBS host Charlie Rose, Bloomberg and Director of National Economic Council Lawrence Summers spoke Friday about the future of America’s economy and its relatively high unemployment rate.

“We need more immigrants, not less,” said Bloomberg. “They work very hard [and] they’re very entrepreneurial."

New York City’s mayor added that entrepreneurship is a crucial component in increasing the rate at which the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grows and unemployment rate decreases.

To tap into this factor, Bloomberg suggested that Congress could grant green cards to immigrants from across the world who want to come to America to start businesses. In his theory, these prospective entrepreneurs would be permitted to keep their green cards indefinitely as long as they employ at least ten people. Bloomberg said that these initiatives would help boost the GDP and simultaneously reduce the unemployment rate.

Along with Bloomberg’s suggestions, Summers emphasized that increased access to quality education plays a role in creating job opportunities for future generations.

In today’s educational system, Summers said, “the dumbest rich kids are more likely to go to college than the smartest poor kids.”

The duo both agreed that the current financial reform bill encompasses what is necessary to get the economy back on its feet.

Republicans: We're Still Seeking Wall Street Reform Compromise

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico / Talk Radio News Service

Republican Senators told reporters Wednesday that they are getting very close to drafting a bipartisan financial regulatory reform bill, despite receiving a letter from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announcing that negotiations were over.

Earlier this morning, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved legislation that would increase transparency in the derivatives market.

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), who has been in negotiations with Sen. Chris Dodd (D- Conn.), said that the Senate Banking Committee has been meeting tirelessly and is making progress towards drafting a “good bill” that will be embraced by both sides of the aisle.

“I’m optimistic that we’re going to get a bill,” Shelby said. “It’s going to be a good bill. We’re not there yet, but I think we’re closer than ever.”

In an effort to protect taxpayers from another bailout, the Republican Senators agreed that financial reform should include provisions specifically targeting too-big-to-fail firms.

“We don’t represent Wall Street, nobody does,” Shelby said. “I can tell you, Wall Street is not going to be writing this bill.”

FCC Chairman Vows To Expand Broadband

By Benny Martinez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday that a recent federal appeals court ruling on net neutrality will not stop the FCC from moving forward with the National Broadband Plan.

“Notwithstanding the decision last week in the Comcast case, I am confident that the Commission has the authority it needs to implement the broadband plan,” Genachowski said.

The FCC Chairman said that, despite complications in last week's case, the Communications Act would ultimately give the Commission the authority and enable it to reform universal service to connect everyone to broadband communications.

According to a statement released by the Committee, 93 million Americans have no access to broadband, 13 million of whom are children. Genachowski pledged that his agency's plan will help solve these disparities and connect schools and rural health clinics across the country.

“We have an obligation to make sure that we protect and empower consumers as we promote innovation, and as we promote investment,” he said.

Genachowski said that the FCC has shifted focus from planning initiatives to implementing and executing the National Broadband Plan.

“I’m convinced that we can find a way that we can get to a place that works for the country and that promotes the global competitiveness of the United States,” he said.