Mike Thompson: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I ask my good friend from Massachusetts, in the revision of his remarks, if he…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I ask my good friend from Massachusetts, in the revision of his remarks, if he wouldn't just clear up one point. He had mentioned that this Congress has not done anything in regard to gun violence prevention, and while true, it is not completely accurate. The fact of the matter is, this Congress is controlled by the Republican Party. The Republican Party determines what bills go for a hearing, what bills come up for a vote. So the fact is, this is a Republican problem. They are the ones that are stopping commonsense gun violence prevention legislation from coming up for a vote to make the American people more safe. Mr. Speaker, there are many important bills that this House could be considering, but none more important than legislation that would save lives and prevent gun violence. There is no single bill, nor policy, that will end gun violence in America, but we do know that background checks work. Every day, background checks stop more than 170 felons, some 50 domestic abusers, and nearly 20 fugitives from buying a gun. Unfortunately, those folks who were blocked from buying a gun from a licensed dealer can go around the block, around the corner, or down the street to a gun show or to an online site and get a gun, oftentimes the same gun, without having to go through a background check. There is a reason that 97 percent of Americans want to expand and strengthen our background check system.…”