Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans' failure to act on commonsense gun safety legislation is a deeply disappointing decision during a week, summer and year in which Americans have grieved for far too many gun violence victims. Today marks both the one month anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting as well as at least the eleventh time that President Obama has had to address the nation after a mass shooting. It is unacceptable for the House of Representatives to recess for seven weeks without addressing our national gun violence epidemic. Our constituents sent us here to work together to solve America's most difficult problems, and these reports show that House Republicans have once again failed this critical test of leadership. We need action – not excuses, not more moments of silence, and not NRA-backed policies that do nothing to keep us safe. House Democrats have been clear – we need a vote on these rational, commonsense policies that overwhelming majorities of Americans support. Read more »
Our nation is in mourning over the murder of five law enforcement officers in Dallas, Texas last night. Every day our law enforcement officers perform the valiant and courageous act of leaving their homes knowing they may be in harm's way and yesterday too many of them did not return home. I send my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen officers and the community of Dallas. As we grieve the loss of those law enforcement officers, we also grieve the loss of two African-American men taken far too soon from their families and communities. The loss of even one life is too many, and we must have the courage to unite as a nation and have serious conversations about the bonds of trust between our communities and law enforcement. We owe it to ourselves, our children and one another to have those conversations. Read more »
Once again, Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans have completely surrendered to the National Rifle Association. Instead of moving commonsense legislation to address the gun violence crisis in the wake of the worst mass shooting in our nation's history, they have chosen to do absolutely nothing to keep us safe. Read more »
For too long, sexual assault survivors have had to navigate a confusing patchwork of laws and regulations that have not done enough to help them access justice. Our sexual assault survivors deserve a strong law to protect their most basic rights and I am pleased that this bill has taken a significant step towards becoming the law of the land. I thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership on this bill in the Senate, and look forward to continuing to work with my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure survivors are guaranteed a set of basic rights under Federal law. Read more »
It can't be said enough: laws like H.B. 2 and similar laws violate the Constitution. Period. Until Republican lawmakers at every level of government get the message, I will continue to shout it from the rooftops, and will not rest until every woman is able to fully realize her constitutional right to access legal abortion. Read more »
As Florida and our nation continue healing from the tragic events in Orlando, we say unequivocally: we stand with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and we will rededicate ourselves to ensuring their safety and equal rights in every community across our nation. We will defeat hate, and love will win. Read more »
Estoy frustrada y decepcionada por la decisiÑn interbloqueada de la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos v. Texas, la que tendrá consecuencias devastadoras para millones de niños y familias en los Estados Unidos. Esta decisiÑn está dividida 4 a 4, aunque sin ofrecer valor de precedente, aÏn mantiene en su lugar la decisiÑn errÑnea del tribunal inferior, y es un doloroso recordatorio del extremo que los Republicanos del Senado están dispuestos a ir para negar a dar una sesiÑn al candidato de la Corte Suprema del Presidente Obama, el Juez Merrick Garland. La facilidad con la que los Republicanos del Senado ponen los conflictos partisanos antes del bienestar de los trabajadores estadounidenses es alarmante. Read more »
For too long, sexual assault survivors have had to navigate a confusing patchwork of laws and regulations that have not done enough to help them access justice. They have had to fight for their forensic medical exams and rape kits, battle their way through confusing state laws, and defend their conduct – even though they were the victim of a crime. These survivors have already had the fight of their lives, and it is unconscionable that in many cases, their pursuit of justice is another one. Read more »
Today, House Democrats stood up and said enough is enough. America is crying out for action on gun violence, and Speaker Ryan and House Republicans have met those cries with cowardly and deafening silence. From the House Floor, where my courageous colleague Rep. John Lewis staged a sit-in with more than three dozen House Democrats; to the Appropriations Committee, where my colleagues and I offered and fought for an amendment that would prevent people suspected of terrorist ties from purchasing a gun and told the stories of the victims in Orlando, we are taking action to force a vote on commonsense gun legislation. How many innocent people have to die before the House of Representatives takes up and passes meaningful legislation to keep us safe? How many families and communities will be torn apart by our epidemic of gun violence before Republicans summon the courage to act? How many more times will they block the "No Fly, No Buy" legislation that would help keep us safe? Their inaction is a national disgrace and House Democrats will not stand for it any longer. And so, we sit! Read more »
Today we mourn the shocking death of British MP Jo Cox and I send my thoughts and deepest condolences to her husband Brendan and their two young children. Her death came as she performed one of the most essential and important acts in public service – meeting with the constituents who elected her to represent them, much as my dear friend Gabby Giffords was five years ago outside a Tucson supermarket. I commend the law enforcement who courageously responded to this attack, as they do every single day around the world. While the authorities are continuing their investigative work into the attack and a possible motive, we must be mindful that incendiary political rhetoric has consequences that we must guard against. Read more »
