Boozman, Kennedy, Moran Champion Bill to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act to ensure veterans do not lose their Second Amendment right to purchase or own firearms when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. 

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Because of the VA’s interpretation of current law, the VA sends a beneficiary’s name to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) whenever a fiduciary is appointed to help a beneficiary manage his or her VA benefit payments. The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act would prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting a veteran’s personal information to NICS unless a relevant judicial authority rules that the beneficiary is a danger to himself or others. 

“Veterans must not be required to forfeit the Second Amendment without a careful, constitutional process. Attempting to deprive former servicemembers of firearms for protection or recreation simply because they require assistance managing the benefits they have earned is bureaucracy at its worst. Our legislation would correct this injustice and preserve these law-abiding patriots’ rights,” said Boozman. 

“Our veterans should not receive less due process rights than other Americans just because they served our country and asked the federal government for a helping hand. Under the VA’s interpretation of the law, however, unelected bureaucrats punish Louisiana and America’s veterans by forcing them to choose between their Second Amendment rights and getting the help they need as they manage their financial affairs. I’m proud to introduce the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act to stand up for veterans’ constitutional rights by ending this unfair practice,” said Kennedy. 

“Veterans should never be forced to choose between receiving assistance from VA to manage their benefits and their fundamental Second Amendment rights. Our nation should be encouraging veterans to utilize VA services, not discouraging them by denying them due process. The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act makes certain that the rights of those who have served are protected, and that veterans are not penalized for receiving support that they have earned and deserve,” said Moran. 

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Banks (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT).  

Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act is endorsed by the Vietnam Veterans of America, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, AMAC Action, Turning Point Action, Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, National Disability Rights Network and the National Association for Gun Rights. 

Click here for full text of the legislation.

Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Terminate DOJ Official Who Committed Perjury

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) led nine of his Senate Judiciary Committee colleagues today in sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging him to terminate Kristen Clarke, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The senators detailed how Ms. Clarke committed perjury during the nomination process for her current role by lying to Congress.

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Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) co-signed the letter.

In part, the senators wrote:

“During her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had ‘ever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person.’ Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, ‘No.’ That was a lie. Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

July 12, 2024

The Honorable Merrick Garland
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Garland,

I write regarding an act of perjury committed by Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. I call for Ms. Clarke’s immediate termination and removal from office.

During her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had “ever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person.” Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, “No.” That was a lie. Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony.

Lying to Congress under oath is a felony.

The last time you were before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you said, “The integrity of our legal system is premised on adherence to the rule of law. In order to have confidence in our Department and in our democracy, the American people must be able to trust that we will adhere to the rule of law in everything that we do.” Ms. Clarke does not meet this standard and must be immediately terminated.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Cotton, Colleagues introduce bill to repeal Biden Administration’s Arms Embargo on Israel

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, legislation that would force the Biden administration to send critical weapons to Israel. The bill comes after President Biden announced that his administration would withhold certain weapons from Israel if it conducted a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza.

Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Congressman Ken Calvert (California-41) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“President Biden’s decision to impose a de facto arms embargo on Israel is a betrayal of one of our most important allies as it fights an existential war for survival. This bill will reverse Joe Biden’s arms embargo and withhold the salaries of officials who implement it,” said Senator Cotton.

“President Biden’s decision to withhold a portion of the Israel security aid just passed by an overwhelming and bipartisan majority of Congress projects the very weakness that has become a trademark of his presidency. If President Biden will not release these weapons, Congress must act to enforce the United States’ support for Israel in its efforts to eliminate Hamas. I thank Senator Cotton for his steadfast support for Israel and introduction of The Israel Security Assistance Support Act in the Senate,” said Congressman Calvert.

Bill text may be found here.

The Israel Security Assistance Support Act would:

• Force the Biden administration to complete the delivery of weapons to Israel.

• Cancel the salaries of any Biden administration official at the Department of Defense or Department of State who take any action to withhold the delivery of weapons to Israel.

Boozman, Heinrich, Kennedy Lead Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Wetlands and Migratory Bird Habitat

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), members of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, along with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) lead their colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) through 2028. The legislation would also increase authorized annual funding for the program to $65 million. 

NAWCA was originally enacted in 1989 to provide federal matching grants —in partnership with funding from state and local governments, private industry and non-profit organizations—to projects that conserve North America’s wetlands, waterfowl and wildlife.  

“Tens of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat have been conserved in Arkansas thanks to NAWCA, which helps promote and maintain wetlands that serve as a world-class duck hunting environment. Ensuring we continue to protect and preserve it and other outdoor recreation sites not only benefits migratory bird populations and other species, it is also a sound economic investment. I’m proud to join Sen. Heinrich and our colleagues to introduce legislation reauthorizing this important program,” said Boozman.

“We owe it to our kids and grandkids to ensure they can inherit the full breadth of American wildlife and the wetlands that sustain them,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to bolster our nation’s most successful wetlands restoration program. By reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, this legislation will improve access to clean drinking water, invest in our thriving multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy and conserve New Mexico’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on for future generations.” 

“Louisiana’s wetlands are a big part of our state’s outdoor sportsman culture and geographical beauty. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an important step to preserve our wildlife and protect our environment’s natural defense system,” said Kennedy. 

Wetlands secure freshwater supplies, recharge aquifers, and mitigate soil erosion and flooding. In addition, waterfowl, migratory birds, fish and other wildlife that depend on wetlands support multibillion-dollar outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography. NAWCA funding has been critical to acquiring, restoring and enhancing this habitat in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. In total, more than 3,300 NAWCA projects have contributed to the conservation and restoration of more than 32 million acres of habitat all across North America. 

NAWCA has provided a great return on investment, generating on average two additional dollars for every federal dollar. Over the program’s history, federal grants totaling more than $2.1 billion have spurred $4.3 billion for NAWCA projects through matching funds. NAWCA funds have also supported an average of 7,500 jobs each year and more than $5 billion in annual economic activity. 

The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). 

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is endorsed by Delta Waterfowl, Boone and Crockett, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Audubon, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Outdoor Industry Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Restore America’s Estuaries. 

“NAWCA is a foundational pillar of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “The voluntary, incentive-based approach has conserved millions of acres of habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife while helping improve water quality and quantity and making our communities more resilient.”  

“The North American Wetlands Conservation Act is one of the most cost-effective conservation investments we can make. Often matched at a rate of 3:1, this important program is a great example of how federal investments into conservation can be leveraged with private contributions to secure a significant return on investment to bolster on-the-ground conservation,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President and CEO Jeff Crane.

“Wetlands shield against floods, help clean our drinking water and provide habitat for diverse plant and animal life. Reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act is an opportunity for Congress to continue America's conservation legacy while sparking job creation and outdoor recreation opportunities.” said Tom Cors, Senior Legislative Director, The Nature Conservancy.  

“North America’s wetlands demonstrate what is possible for people, wildlife and clean water when we make strategic, concerted investments in conserving and restoring vital habitat,” said Andrew Wilkins, Land Conservation Policy Director, National Wildlife Federation. “This reauthorization bill will help keep our commitment to wetlands conservation strong and ensure that the people and wildlife whose work, water and way of life can endure for future generations. Congress should ensure the North American Wetlands Conservation Act remains one of America’s most successful conservation programs since it first passed in 1989.”  

The text of the bill is here.