As Gabby's colleagues, we all have had moments with her, so many memories that we recall vividly and fondly. For me, she is a refreshing, frank, and inspiring younger member of the House sisterhood. She is whip smart and a serious and disciplined legislator. She is the kind of person we need so badly in this Chamber doing the people's business without rancor or vitriol. Though the attack occurred in Tucson, it was an attack on all of us, and it strikes very close to home. Just a week ago today, I sat near Gabby at a New Democrat lunch in the Capitol Visitor Center. The group was assessing the recent election, and her contribution to the discussion was personal, impressive, and well delivered. But 7 days is a long time in politics, and our world here is in upheaval. Beyond the heroic efforts of Tucson's emergency and medical teams, the FBI, and the Capitol Police, the alleged gunman must be fairly and swiftly prosecuted. But there is more. The Congress family must take additional, prudent steps to protect our staffs and constituents from random violence at our public events or offices. I serve here, as we all do, in loco parentis and take this very seriously. And finally, we should revisit sensible Federal laws to control access to guns and ammunition. At a minimum, I believe we must promptly restore the expired Federal ban on extended magazine clips.
Editor's note · Context
The speaker reflects on the impact of the Tucson attack and calls for legislative action on gun control and safety.
Share
More from Jane Harman
Madam Speaker, the war in Afghanistan has continued for 9 years, and the Obama administration continues to rely on the almost decade-old authorization to use military force which Congress passed, as we have heard, by an overwhelming vote a…
Estuaries, the coastal wetlands where fresh and salt water meet, are both a vital filter for urban runoff that would otherwise flow out of the river and into the ocean, and a cradle for marine and wildlife. We are not able to create new…
Jack Murtha was a paradox: a big man with an impressive war record who never wavered from his commitment to the wounded, the disadvantaged, and always challenged those who, in his strong opinion, underestimated the economic and human costs…





