Mike Thompson: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I, too, plan to vote to defeat the previous question so we can have…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I, too, plan to vote to defeat the previous question so we can have some debate on some gun violence prevention legislation-- which is long overdue to be debated in this body. The gentleman mentioned that he is going to offer our amendment on the no fly, no buy legislation--a Republican bill, authored by Republican Congressman Peter King from New York. I think it is essential that we do that. I understand we are also going to introduce an amendment on the background check legislation, which is also a bipartisan measure--with the overwhelmingly bipartisan support of 187 coauthors in this body. You have got to look at a lot of bills to find one that has that many coauthors--and bipartisan coauthors at that. Also, it is a measure that has overwhelming support amongst the American people. Upwards of around 90 percent of Americans believe that we should do everything possible to make it more difficult for people who shouldn't have guns to be able to get guns. That is what our bill does. That is what our effort does. It makes it more difficult for individuals who shouldn't have guns to get those guns. I have said it before on this floor, in an attempt to try and get a vote on this critically important legislation, that, if the Republicans don't like the way we are working, work with us. Help us figure out what we can do to make our communities safer.…”