Wasserman Schultz Statement on House Democrats Sit-In on Gun Violence

Washington, DC, June 22, 2016
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!

Wasserman Schultz Statement on House Democrats Sit-In on Gun Violence

 U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) issued the following statement today after House Democrats, led by Rep. John Lewis (GA-05), staged a sit-in on the House Floor to demand Speaker Ryan and House Republicans stop blocking a vote on gun violence legislation:

“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!”

 

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Contact:

Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931