myspace views counter
Search

Search Talk Radio News Service:

Latest Photos
@PoliticalBrief
Search
Search Talk Radio News Service:
Latest Photos
@PoliticalBrief

Entries in Sen. Charles Schumer (3)

Tuesday
Nov152011

Tucson Shooting Survivors Want Stricter Gun Laws

By Adrianna McGinley

Survivors and family members of shooting victims, including those of the January Tucson shooting that nearly killed Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), joined legislators Tuesday to support bipartisan legislation aimed at tightening national gun laws.

The Fix Gun Checks Act, introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), would require background checks for all gun purchases and would penalize states that fail to enter records into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has committed to investigating the ATF’s failed “Operation Fast and Furious” program, agreed that legislation to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals is necessary. He added, however, that Second Amendment rights must be protected for law-abiding citizens, specifically veterans that he says were denied their right to bear arms under the NICS Improvement Act.

“While the horrific events in Tucson are still fresh in our memories, as we discuss new gun control laws, we also need to move forward on bipartisan legislation such as the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act,” Grassley said.

Col. Bill Badger, who survived a bullet wound from the Tucson shooting, and Patricia Maisch, who prevented the shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, from reloading, voiced support for the measure.

“Tucson is yet another extremely tragic example of what is at stake each and every time a gun falls or is placed in the wrong hands,” Maisch said. “Changing the past is impossible…but it would be a pitiful shame if no action were taken to change the future. You can take action to improve our broken gun background check system, and I truly believe with all my soul that your actions can save lives.”

Legislators and witnesses emphasized that the proposal is not meant to infringe on people’s rights or take away their guns, but rather to ensure that guns stay out of the hands of dangerous individuals, like Loughner, a diagnosed schizophrenic.

“I believe there’s a right to bear arms, but I also believe it’s not absolute,” Schumer said. “Just as we have limits on the First Amendment…there are reasonable limits on the Second Amendment. I don’t believe it should be seen through a pinhole…but I also believe that limits are very reasonable and we’re talking among the most reasonable limits here.”

Wednesday
Oct052011

Reid Floats Millionaire Tax To Pay For Jobs Bill

By Janie Amaya 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday proposed a five percent surtax on those making more than $1 million annually. The tax, he said, would generate $445 billion in new revenue over the next decade, enough to cover the cost of President Obama’s jobs package.

“Independents, Democrats, Republicans and even the Tea Party agree it’s time for millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share of taxes,” Reid said.

Reid had said Tuesday night that he was measuring ways to pay for the bill after sixteen Senators in his own party expressed reservations over the tax increases proposed by Obama. The list of hikes targeted individuals making $200,000 per year or more, investors earning more than $1 million annually and the oil and gas industry, which receive billions in federal subsidies each year.

Reid’s idea is certain to be rejected by congressional Republicans, but the measure may attract more backing from other Democrats, since it raises the income threshhold subject to the fee.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who joined Reid and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) at today’s press conference, said the millionaire surtax figures to be more palatable to lawmakers worried about burdening small business owners. In a line sure to be used against Democrats in the coming weeks, Schumer argued that those making less than $1 million a year “are not rich.”

Schumer also said that those opposing the White House’s bill are missing the fact that a new poll out today suggested that Americans have more faith in Obama to create jobs than Republicans.

In terms of when the bill would come up for a vote, Reid said he’ll push for a speedy vote on a currency manipulation bill being debated this week, and then pivot to the president’s plan.

“The plan would invest in things that we need: roads, bridges, dams, water systems, sewer systems; to put construction workers back, to work building and renovating schools,” Reid said. He also touted its provision to extend unemployment benefits for the millions of out-of-work Americans.

Pointing his finger at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Reid said it’s time for Republicans to stop playing partisan games and propose amendments if they disagree with how the bill is paid for.

Republicans, meanwhile, have hinted some support for certain elements of the bill, but none have argued that raising taxes on wealthy taxpayers to cover the cost of the bill is a good idea.

Geoff Holtzman contributed to this story.

Thursday
May062010

Group In Landmark Supreme Court Case Blasts DISCLOSE Act

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

The leader of a conservative non-profit group that was at the center of a major Supreme Court ruling earlier this year had harsh words for legislation aimed at adding more transparency to the process by which foreign corporations make campaign contributions.

In 2008, the group, Citizens United, filed an injunction against the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for enforcing provisions within the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act -- also known as McCain-Feingold -- that prevented the group from running television ads to promote a documentary film it produced entitled, Hillary: The Movie within 30 days of the 2008 Democratic primaries.

After a federal court ruled in favor of the FEC's actions, Citizens United appealed and the case went before the Supreme Court. In January of this year, the Court ruled in favor of the group, arguing that corporate funding of political elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment.

During a press conference today, Citizens United President David Bossie assailed a recently introduced piece of legislation called the “Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE)” Act, arguing that it does not consider the First Amendment rights of Americans.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), is aimed at prohibiting foreign influence on American elections, and strengthens the 'Pay-to-Play' law.

“This debate is about one thing and one thing only, the right of all Americans to speak out for or against their elected officials,” said Bossie. “Senator Schumer stated that he hoped this legislation would result in fewer people participating in the political process...if that’s not the definition of chilling free speech, I don’t know what is.”

Craig Holman, a legislative representative for Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, offered support for the bill.

“What could be achieved in the DISCLOSE Act is critical disclosure provisions that allow members of Congress and the public to realize...who is financing various campaign ads, who’s behind the campaign ads, and what interest it is that they’re attempting to achieve behind those campaign ads,” he said.