Upholding the Constitutional Right to Bear Arms
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 31, 2008, 03:58 PM)
Like so many across the country, I was pleased with the US Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning the District of Columbia’s gun ban. However, the progress contained in this decision is at risk with the city government currently considering regulations that fly directly in the face of the Court’s decision. As a supporter of the right to bear arms, I strongly believe that the resident’s of our Nation’s Capital should not have their Constitutional rights limited. As such, I recently signed a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation that will enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling and guarantee individuals the right to defend themselves and their families in their own homes with simple, ordinary firearms, including handguns.
The legislation would block efforts by the District of Columbia government to make gun ownership nearly impossible through new, duplicative, and burdensome provisions. Specifically, the measure would:
- Repeal the D.C. handgun ban and the storage requirement that prohibits keeping a firearm ready for self-defense in the home;
- Repeal the D.C. registration system, which serves as the vehicle for even more restrictions; and
- Restrict the D.C. City Council’s authority to impose burdens on residents’ Second Amendment rights.
In addition to helping move this legislation forward, I was proud to join with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in sending a brief to the Supreme Court in support of efforts to end DC’s unconstitutional gun ban.
Posted in Right to Bear Arms | View Full Posting
Helping to Employ Veterans
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 28, 2008, 02:45 PM)
Often, when our servicemen and women return home from combat, it is difficult for them to find new employment. I believe that it is important to support our nation’s bravest and do all that we can to ensure a smooth transition into their next area of employment.
To help in this effort, I was proud to join with Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) to author a resolution that encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon employers, labor organizations, veterans’ service organizations, and federal, state and local government agencies to lend their support to increase employment of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. The “Hire a Vet” week resolution was once of the first pieces of legislation passed during the 110th Congress.
In addition to my efforts, the Department of Veterans has partnered with Monster Government Solutions of Monster Worldwide, Inc., and they have come up with a new plan to help veterans find jobs. This partnership between the VA and the online employment website provides veteran-owned small businesses with the opportunity to post job openings for veterans at a large price discount. The postings will be up twice as long as other postings and will also offer specific options for service-disabled veterans.
"This government-corporate partnership represents the best kind of effort to help those who gave up time in their lives to serve their country and return to an economic community that may not recognize their skills," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "The program should make it easier for employers to find qualified job candidates as well as veteran suppliers and service contractors."
To get involved, veteran business owners must go to http://www.VetBiz.gov and list their business on the VA’s online vendor page. If you are a veteran looking for information about employment opportunities, visit http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of my district offices.
Posted in Veterans | View Full Posting
Demanding the Respect that Our Military Deserves
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 23, 2008, 06:50 PM)
When our service men and women return home from combat zones all over the world, they never expect to be denied entrance into the airports of their own country.
Believe it or not, this has been occurring to our nation’s bravest. In September 2007, soldiers returning home from Iraq were denied access to the terminal building at Oakland International Airport. The passengers aboard this military charter had already been screened in Kuwait and granted access to the terminal at Kennedy International Airport in New York.
My colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and I took particular notice of this occurrence. After looking into things, we requested that the Department of Transportation investigate the incident.
The report revealed the need for a uniform process for handling members of the Armed Forces coming into U.S. commercial airports. As a result, the Department of Defense, the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines proper protocols for ensuring that our soldiers are always treated with respect at commercial airports.
This new policy will be going into effect immediately. Our fighting men and women should be able to see the families as soon as possible after landing – and not have to sit through a security line. For more information on the Memorandum of Understanding go to http://republicans.transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=441.
Posted in Defense, Transportation, Veterans | View Full Posting
Working to Preserve South Carolina's Civil War Heritage
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 17, 2008, 05:59 PM)
As home to Ft. Sumter, Morris Island, and many other Civil War sites, the 1st District holds a special place in our nation's history that must be preserved. That's why I have been working so hard with my colleague Gary Miller from California to update and extend a program under the National Park Service that is designed to provide financial assistance to preserve and protect these nationally significant places in our history.
Last week, I joined with my colleagues on the National Parks Subcommittee of the House Resources Committee during a hearing on Mr. Miller's legislation (H.R. 2933). During the hearing, we heard from one of my constituents, Alex McMillan, a Trustee of the Civil War Preservation Trust and a former Member of Congress.
Congressman McMillan talked about the important role that funding through the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program has played in protecting Civil War battlefields throughout the US. (link to McMillan testimony)
While funds from the CWBPP have yet to be used to preserve any land in South Carolina, there are 11 sites in the Palmetto State that would be eligible for preservation under H.R. 2933. These include sites such as Fort Sumter and Morris Island, which saw the heroic actions of the African-American 54th Massachusetts Infantry as depicted in the film Glory.
This week, H.R. 2933 was sent to the House floor by the Natural Resources Committee. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill on the House floor schedule before the end of the 110th Congress.
Additional Information: 1-pager on legislation from the Civil War Battlefield Trust │Letter from Civil War Battlefield Trust │Article on legislation in the Charleston Post & Courier
Posted in Environment and Wildlife, Tourism | View Full Posting
Taking to the House Floor to Discuss Our Nation's Energy Crisis
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 16, 2008, 03:30 PM)
This morning, during the one-minute speeches that occur before the House starts its business for the day, I came to the House floor to discuss the need for Congress to act on solutions to our nation's energy crisis. You can view the floor statement below:
Posted in Energy | View Full Posting
Today's Presidential Announcement Regarding American Energy Production
Posted by: Brown Staff (July 14, 2008, 01:58 PM)
Click through to view the video of today's Rose Garden Press Conference. You can read the Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior here.
Posted in Energy | View Full Posting
In Case you Missed It: Momentum Grows for Energy Solutions (Charleston Regional Business Journal)
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 11, 2008, 03:10 PM)
Hope everyone is having an enjoyable Friday. As talk up here in Washington continues on our nation’s energy challenge and the need to find solutions, I wanted to make sure you saw a recent article in the Charleston Regional Business Journal about how momentum is growing for more domestic energy production and exploration, as well as nuclear, renewables, and other alternative fuels. An important fact from the story that debunks claims from those who don’t want any American energy production: in order to be seen 100 miles offshore, energy infrastructure would have to be the height of 5 and a half Empire State buildings. At 23 miles, a standard rig disappears from view.
Here is the link to the story online: http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/current/14_14/news/12339-1.html. You can also view a PDF version here.
Have a great weekend!
Posted in Energy | View Full Posting
Welcome!
Posted by: Henry E. Brown (July 09, 2008, 03:13 PM)
Welcome to my new blog! As part of my commitment to constituent service, I have added this new feature to my website to not only keep you informed about action in Washington as it happens, but to also ensure you have access to updated constituent information as it becomes available. Sometimes I will post commentary or Washington updates here, while other times my staff will add information such as links to articles and announcements by federal agencies.
I encourage you to check back here often, and please feel free to email me your thoughts.
Posted in Unspecified | View Full Posting
