{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}
STATE TO LIMIT THE DANGEROUS IMPACTS OF ROE A CASE IN WHICH A
HANDFUL OF MEN ON THE SUPREME COURT ARBITRARILY AMENDED THE
CONSTITUTION AND OVERTURNED THE LAWS OF 50 STATES RELATING TO
ABORTION. SENATOR ASHCROFT'S POSITION IS CLEAR. HE BELIEVES
THAT EXCEPT WHEN MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO SAVE A WOMAN'S LIFE,
ABORTION SHOULD NEVER AND AVAILABLE EVEN IN CASES INVOLVING
RAPE OR INCEST. HE SAID THROUGHOUT MY LIFE PLY PERSONAL
CONVICTION PUBLIC RECORD IS THAT THE UNBORN CHILD IS A
FUNDAMENTAL INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO LIE WHICH CANNOT BE INFRINGED
{12:15:40} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
AND SHOULD BE PROTECTED FULLY BY THE 14TH AMENDMENT. I RESPECT
SENATOR ASHCROFT'S PERSONAL CONVICTIONS THEY CANNOT AND SHOULD
NOT BE USED AS AN EXCUSE TO DEPRIVE WOMEN OF THEIR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO KHUGS. NEVERTHELESS SENATOR ASHCROFT
THAT IS BEEN UNRELENTING IN EFFORTS TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE
WHILE SERVING AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND GOVERNOR HE CONSTANTLY
SOUGHT STATE ANTI-CHOICE LEGISLATION AND WAS PRINCIPLE
ARCHITECT OF NATIONWIDE LITIGATION STRATEGY TO PERSUADE THE
SUPREME COURT TO RESTRICT OR OVERTURN ROE V. WADE. IN 199 IS AS
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GOVERNOR HE HAVE EVEN BOASTED TO NO STATE HAD MORE
ABORTION-RELATED CASES THAT REACHED THE SUPREME COURT. AS
ATTORNEY JEFRN HE HAVE WAS SO INTENT ON REFER STRICTING A
WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE HE PERTINENTLY ARGUED THE PLANT
PARENTHOOD OF WESTERN MISSOURI VS. ASHCROFT IN THE UNITED
STATES SUPREME COURT. IN 1986, GOVERNOR ASHCROFT SIGNED INTO
LAW A BILL THAT ATTEMPTED TO OVERTURN ROE VS. WADE BY DECLARING
LIFE GIVES AT CONCEPTION. THE BILL 0 I'M POSITIONED
RESTRICTIONS ON A WOMAN'S DONE INSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CHOOSE.
{12:16:50} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
AFTER SIGNING THE BILL INTO LAW HE SAID IT MAKES AN IMPORTANT
STATEMENT, MORAL PRINCIPLE AND PROVIDES A FRAME WORK TO DETER
ABORTIONS WHEREVER POSSIBLE. IN 1989 THE BILL WAS CHALLENGED
ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT. THE STATE OF MISSOURI NOT
HOME ASKED THE SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD THE STATUTE BUT ALSO
SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN ROE VS. WADE.
IN ADDITION TO HIS ATTEMPTS TO RESTRICT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO
CHOOSE, SENATOR ASHCROFT AS DORN GENERAL ALSO TOOK DIRECT AND
IMPROPER ACTION THAT PREVENTED POOR WOMEN FROM OBTAINING DEWINE
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COLLAGE CALL AND BIRTH CONTROL SERVICES. AS ATTORNEY GENERAL HE
ISSUED AN OPINION SAYING NURSENESS MISSOURI DID NOT HAVE THE
AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE THAT INCLUDES
DIAGNOSE SIGNIFICANCE AND TREATMENT OF HUMAN ILLNESS, INJURY OR
INFIRMITY AND ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS UNDER GENTLEMEN
RATHER THAN DIRECT PHYSICIAN GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION.
FOLLOWING THIS OPINION, THE MISSOURI STATE FWORD OF
REGISTRATION FOR THE HEALING ARTS THREATENED CRIMINAL
PROSECUTION OF TWO NURSES AND FIVE DOCTORS PLOIF IN OFED IN THE
EAST MISSOURI ACTION AGENCY WHO PROVIDED FAMILY PLANNING
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SERVICES TO LOW INCOME WOMEN. THE NURSES PROVIDED FAMILY
PLANNING OBSTETRICS, SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING
INFORMATION ON CONTRACEPTION, BREAST AND PELVIC EXAMINATIONS
AND TESTING FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES THROUGH FUNDINGS
OF PROGRAMS DIRECTED TO LOW INCOME POPULATIONS. THE NURSES WERE
LICENSED PROFESSIONALS AND DOCTORS STANDING ORDERS FOR NURSES
AND ALL SERVICES PERFORMED BY NURGSS WERE CARRIED OUT PURSUANT
TO ORDERS OR WELL-ESTABLISHED PROTOCOLS FOR NURSES AND OTHER
PARA MEDICAL PERSONNEL. THE BOARD, HOWEVER, THREATENED TO FIND
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THE NURSES GUILTY OF THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, AND
TO FIND THE PHYSICIANS GUILTY OF AIDING AND ABETTING THEM. IN
193, MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT
ISSUED THIS OPINION, THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI REJECTED THE
OPINION FINDING THAT NOTHING IN THE STATE'S STATUTE PURPORTED
TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE NURSES AND DOCTORS PRACTICES AND THE
NURSES ACTIONS CLEARLY FELL WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE STANDARD
GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF NURSING. ALTHOUGH THE DECISION
ENSURED THE NURSES IN MISSOURI COULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FAMILY
PLANNING SERVICES DURING THE ALMOST THREE YEARS THAT THE CASE
{12:19:03} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
WAS PENDING, ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT LEGAL UNTENABLE OPINION
PLACED NURSES PROVIDING THESE SERVICES INCLUDING FAMILY
PLANNING INTO CONSIDERABLE LEGAL PERIL. SENATOR ASHCROFT
AGGRESSIVE AND VOCAL OPPOSITION TO ROE VS. WADE TIVENED DURING
HIS SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE SENATE. HE VOTED IN FAVOR OF
OVERTURNING ROE VS. WADE, SPONSORED A HUMAN LIFE AMENDMENT,
SPONSORED PARALLEL SHAVINGS. THE HUMAN LIFE WOULD PROHIBIT
ABORTIONS EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRED TO PREVIOUS VENT THE DEGREE OF
{12:19:38} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE MOTHER BUT ONLY IF EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT IS MAID TO
RESERVE THE LIFE OF THE WOMAN AND FETUS. THERE ARE NO
EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST, NO PROTECTION FOR A WOMAN'S
HEALTH. THE AMENDMENT AND PROPOSED STATUTE DEFINE LIFE AS
BEGINNING AT FERTILIZATION. ITS LANGUAGE COULD ALSO BAN ANY
TYPE OF CONTRACEPTIVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, HOWEVER, SENATOR ASHCROFT
I PEERED TO SOUTH AMERICANS A CONFIRMATION CONVERSION. HE
DISREGARDED HIS PAST RECORD AND UVEN YIELDING POSITION AGAINST
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND ACCEPTS HIS NEW MOTION. HE VIEWS ROE V.
{12:20:10} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
WADE AS SETTLED LAW OF THE LAND EVIL NO LONGER WORK TO
DISMANTLE IT BUFF ENFORCE IT. WHEN ASKED ABOUT EFFORTS TO
OVERTURN IT, HE HAVE TOFLD THE COMMITTEE HE DID THINGS TO
DEFIVE THE LAW BY VIR E. VIRTUE OF LAWSUITS. DID THINGS TO
REFIVE THE LAW WHETHER I HAD AN ENACTMENT ROAM. BUTCH AS AN
EXAMPLE OF HIS VIEW OF DEFINING AND REFER SFING THE LAW, DURING
HIGGS 1981 TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE JOO DISHRY DEMEELT AS
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MISSOURI, SENATOR ASHCROFT TESTIFIED THAT
THE HUMAN LIFE BILL WHICH IT WOULD PROHIBIT ALL ABORTIONS WOULD
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BE CONSTITUTIONAL WITHIN THE FRAME WORK OF ROE V. WADE. IT IS
CLEAR THAT AS ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES, SENATOR
ASHCROFT COULD EASILY FEEL FREE TO TREE FINE AND DEFINE ROE V.
WADE OUT OF EXIGS CONTINUES. SENATOR ASHCROFT ALSO WANTS THE
COMMITTEE TO BELIEVE THAT HE HAVE WON'T ASK THE SUPREME COURT
TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE. CURRENT COURT MADE IT CLEAR IT WILL
NOT OVERTURN ROE. IN THAT SENSE IT IS SETTLED LAUCH. WUVENS THE
CURRENT COME POSITION CHANGES, PRESIDENT BUSH AND SENATOR
ASHCROFT WILL FEEL TO TAKE STEPS TO OVERTURN ROE. IN AN
{12:21:20} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
INTERVIEW IN JANUARY 20, PRESIDENT BUSH SAID ROE V. WADE WON'T
BE OVERTURNED BY A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BECAUSE THERE ARE
NOT THE VOICE IN THE HOUSE OR SENATE. I SECONDLY, I AM GOING TO
PUT JUDGES ON THE COURT WHO STRICTLY INTERPRET THE
CONSTITUTION, AND THAT WILL BE THE LITMUS TEST. I HAVE ALWAYS
SAID THAT ROW V. WAIVED WAS A JUDICIAL REACH. SENATOR ASHCROFT
BECOMES ATTORNEY GENERAL HE WILL BE WELL POSITIONED TO
UNDERMINE AND ELIMINATE THIS MOST BASIC RIGHT OF PRIVACY FOR
ALL AMERICAN WOMEN. PRESIDENT BUSH AND SENATOR ASHCROFT WILL
SELECT JUDGE AND JUSTICES PREPARED TO TURN BACK THE CLOCK TO A
{12:21:55} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TIME WHEN WOMEN DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE. WE KNOW
SENATOR ASHCROFT IS WILLING TO GO TO THE COURTS TIME AND AGAIN
TO CHALLENGED SETTLED LAUCH. THE STFAILT OF MISSOURI VS. THE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN IS A CASE IN POINT. IN THAT
CASE ORGANIZATIONS CALLED NOR A BOYCOTT OF MISSOURI RATIFY THE
EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT FOR THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. SENATOR
ASHCROFT TOLD THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THE LITIGATION BROUGHT IN
MISSOURI BY HIS OFFICE AGAINST THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR
WOMEN WAS WELL WITHIN THE LAW. HE SAID WE FILED A LAWSUIT. THE
BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION BECAUSE THE BOY COULD COT WAS HURTING
{12:22:29} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI AND WE HAVE BELIEVED IT TO BE A
VIOLATION OF ANTITRUST LOGS. THE LAWSUIT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
ERA OR POLITICAL DIFFERENCES I MIGHT NOW HAVE WITH NOW. HE WENT
ON TO SAY NOW I LITIGATE THAD MATTER THOROUGHLY AND FRANK LIVE
OTHER STATES HAVE AVENUE TESTAMENT IT HAD. I THINK THE LAW IS
CLEAR NOW AND HAS BEEN CLEAR IN THE AFTERMATH OF THAT DECISION.
THAT TESTIMONY WAS GROSS THINK MISLEADING. AT THE TIME HE
BROUGHT THE NOW CASE, THE LAW WAS SETTLED. IN DIRECT OPPOSITION
TO SENATOR ASHCROFT'S POSITION. IN RULING AGAINST ATTORNEY
GENERAL ASHCROFT, FWOGETE THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT AND 8TH
{12:23:02} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS REF LIED ON THE SUPREME COURT'S
DECISION AND EASTERN RAILROAD PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE VS. NOR
MOAT FREIGHT. A CASE DEAF SIDED 17 YEARS BEFORE SENATOR
ASHCROFT BROUGHT INSTITUTE AGAINST N.O.W. THE SUPREME COURT
SAID IN THAT CASE THE SHERMAN ACT IS A CODE THAT CONDEMNS TRADE
RESTRAINTS NOT POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN
FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY. STILL ATTORNEY
GENERAL ASHCROFT WAS NOT DETERRED EVEN NOVEMBER THE DISTRICT
COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEALS HAD RULED AGAINST HIM RELYING
{12:23:38} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
UPON THE CLEAR U.S. SUPREME COURT PRECEDENT SENATOR ASHCROFT
PERSIST HAVE HAD AND ASKED THE SUPREME COURT TO RE-STREW THE
N.O.W. CASE. THE COURT REFER FUSIONED TO HEAR THE CASE. IT IS
DEEPLY TROUBLING THAT HAS ATTORNEY GENERAL, SENATOR ASHCROFT
USED STATE RESOURCES TO LITIGATE A WEAK CASE THAT RESTED ON AN
ARGUMENT REJECTED BY THE SUPREME COURT YEARS AGO. BUT AS WITH
THE LIT DIVISION SURROUNDING THE VOLUNTARY SCHOOL DESEGREGATION
PLAN, HE PROVED TO FIGHT APPEAL AFTER APPEAL IN A LOSING
ILLEGITIMATE BATTLE RATHER THAN SURRENDER TO JUSTICE AND
{12:24:11} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN. MR. PRESIDENT, JUST FOR MY
MEMBERS, I HAVE PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE MORE MIVENS. I KNOW
OTHERS WISH TO SPEAK. THEN I WILL PUT THE REST OF THE STATEMENT
IN THE RECORD. MR. PRESIDENT, SENATOR ASHCROFT'S OPPOSITION TO
GUN CONTROL IS INTERPRETATION OF THE SECONDS AMENDMENT AND
ADVOCACY OF EXTREMIST GUN PROPOSAL ARE DISTURBING. OVER 30,000
AMERICANS LOSE THEIR LIVES IN GUN VIOLENCE HE HAVE YEAR
INCLUDING OVER 3,000 CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS. OUR NATION'S LEVEL
OF GUN VIOLENCE IS UNPARALLELED IN THE REST OF THE WORLD. IN
RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY GUN VIOLENCE THE MAJORITY
{12:24:46} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
OF AMERICANS SUPPORT STRICTER GUN CONTROL LAWS AND VICK RUSS
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS. CONTRARY TO THE MAJORITY
OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, SENATOR ASHCROFT VIGOROUSLY OPPOSES
STRICTER GUN CONTROL LAWS. HE HAVE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE DURING
THE HEARING WHERE HE SEEMED TO CHANGE HIS LONG-HELD BELIEF AND
EMPHASIZE COMMITMENT TO ENFORKS GUN LAWS AND DEFEND THEIR
CONSTITUTIONALITY. HE TESTIFIED THAT THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONAL
INHIBITION ON THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO BEAR ARMS. HE SUPPORTED
SOME CONTROLS. HE REFERRED TO HIS A TOMORROW TO AMEND THE
{12:25:20} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL TO MAKE SEX AUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS
AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN. HE HAVE DIDN'T STAY HIS AMENDMENT WAS A
WEAKER ONE THAN THE ONE PROPOSED BY SENATOR FEINSTEIN. HE STOT
TO CREATE A PARENTAL EXCEPTION THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED
CHILDREN FROM OBTAINING SEMI-AUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS. HE HAVE
ALSO TESTIFIED THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN THE BRADY LAW LICENSING
AND REGISTRATION OF GUNS, MANDATORY CHILD SAFETY LOOKS ARE ALL
CONSTITUTIONAL. ALTHOUGH SENATOR ASHCROFT'S TESTIMONY WAS
INTENDED TO EASE OUR CONCERN ABOUT HIS WILLINGNESS TO ENNORSE
{12:25:57} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
GUN LAWS IT IS DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE WHAT HE HAVE SAID LAST
WEEK WITH HIS ARE THE RICK AND RECORD. CONTRARY TO TESTIMONY,
SENATOR ASHCROFT PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE
VIRTUALLY AN UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS UNDER THE SECOND
AMENDMENT. IN A 1998 HEARING HE COMMENTED ON COURT DECISION
WHICH IS NOTED THE SECOND AMENDMENT DOES NOT GUARANTEE
INDIVIDUALS UNRESTRICTED RIGHTS TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. SENATOR
ASHCROFT EXPRESSED HIS DISAGREEMENT WITH THE VIEW ACCEPTED BY
EVERY FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT AND THE SUPREME COURT, THAT THE
{12:26:33} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
SECOND AMENDMENT WAS INTENDED TO PROTECT STATE REGULATED
MILITIA BUFF DORS NOT ENTITLE INDIVIDUALS TO POSSESS OR OF
WEAPONS FOR PARTICIPATION FROM PRIVATE MILITIAS. HE CRITICIZED
THESE DECISIONS SAYING THAT ARLINGTON UFERLETE MAKES NO SENSE
TO ME. AND AT THE 19988 HEARING SENATOR ASHCROFT WENT ON TO SAY
INDEED THE SECOND AMENDMENT, LIKE THE FIRST, PROTECTS AN
IMPORTANT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY THAT IN TURN PROMOTES GOOD
GOVERNMENT. A CITIZENRY ARMED WITH THE RIGHT TO POSSESS
FIREARMS AND SPEAK FREELY IS LESS LIKELY TO FALL VICTIM TO A
{12:27:06} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
TYRANNICAL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT THAN HAS CITIZENRY THERE IS A
JUST ARMED FROM CRITICIZED FROM CRITICIZING GOVERNMENT OR
DEFENDING THEMSELVES. SENATOR ASHCROFT'S EXTREME VIEW OF THE
SECOND AMENDMENT PARALLELS HIS RHETORIC COMPARING TODAY'S
ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH THE DESPOTS OF THE 18TH CENTURY. THE PRO
GUN CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
REPORTED THAT SENATOR ASHCROFT COMPARED TODAY'S POWER BROKERS
AND POLICY WOVERNINGS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE EUROPEAN
DESPOTS FROM WHOM HOUR FOUNDING FATHERS FLED. HE EXPLAINED
{12:27:39} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS BECAUSE I
AM FEAR FULL OF A GOVERNMENT THAT DOES TARGZ450B8 STHIRNGDS
QUHO GOFT GOVERNMENT?
ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THAT?
UNFORTUNATELY, SENATOR ASHCROFT'S RHETORIC AND RECORD LEND DEE
DESERVED CREDIT BUILT AND LEGITIMACY TO THE VIEWS HE SUPPOSED
BY ANTI-GOVERNMENT MISSILE SHAH GROUPS IN HOUR NATION. MEMBERS
OF THESE GROUPS BELIEVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT GIVES THEM THE
{12:28:16} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
RIGHT TO FORM PRIVATE ARMIES AS A CHECK AGAINST FEDERAL POWER.
THESE MILITIA GROUPS POINT OUT KUFZ SAPS TS ITSELF LDS FG 24
RXD K DEPBSD BEING EARMS AS A KHEK OUTGUNNED BY THEIR OWN
GOVERNMENT. RUBY RIDGE AND WACO INTEREST TWO RECENT EPISODES IN
WHICH GROUPS HOLDING THOSE VIEWS CAME INTO ARMED CONFLICT WITH
FEDERAL LAWFUL ENFORCEMENT. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS
IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE LAWS AGAINST SUCH EXTREMIST
GROUPS, YET SENATOR ASHCROFT'S PASTS RHETORIC SUPPORTED THESE
EXTREMIST VIEWS AND CAUSED LEGITIMATE CONCERNS HIS YET ARE SO
OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM OF AMERICAN THOUGHT AS AN ATTORNEY
{12:28:50} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
GENERAL WILL BE UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO PROS COO MILL IS THAT
GROUPS SIDE VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LOGS. ALTHOUGH SENATOR
ASHCROFT TESTIFIED HE N IN THE CONSTITUTION NATIONAL OF THE
ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN THE BRADY LAW AND GUN LICENSING AND
REGISTRATION MANDATORY CHILD KON LOCKS ON GUNS HE VOTED TO
OPPOSE I IN THOSE AREAS. SENATOR ASHCROFT TESTIFIED HE
SUPPORTED FUNDS FOR GUN PROSECUTION I HAVE ENGLISH ACTIVITIES,
HOWEVER HE HAS VOTE TODAY RE-DUE GING IN OTHER VITAL AREAS OF
GUN LAW ENFORCEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE HE VOTED AGAINST FUNDING TO
IMPLEMENT THE BACKGROUND CHECKS UNDER THE BRADY LAW NAMED AFTER
{12:29:24} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
FORMER REAGAN PRESS SECRETARY JAMES GRADE I. INDEED SENATOR
ASHCROFT REFERRED TO BRAID BRADY AS BRAIFB BRAVE AND PATRIOTIC
AMERICAN, A BRAVE AND PATRIOTIC AMERICAN AS THE LEADING ENF OF
RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS. GO PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS
REGRET FOR MAKING SUCH AN UNJUST NEED STATEMENT, SENATOR
ASHCROFT DECLINED. SENATOR ASHCROFT IS ALSO TIED TO THE GUN
LOBBY AND IS ACCEPTED THE LARGE CONTRIBUTIONS. MR. PRESIDENT, I
WOULD LIKE TO ASK CONSENT, SINCE I SEE A NUMBER OF COLLEAGUES I
{12:29:57} (MR. KENNEDY) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }
WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO -- WHEN THERE IS A PAUSE IN THE
{END: 2001/01/31 TIME: 12-30 , Wed. 107TH SENATE, FIRST SESSION}
{ NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF THE SENATE PROCEEDINGS.}