On the recordJuly 14, 2016
I am embarrassed that Congress is going home today for 2 months after having done nothing about this outrageous use of guns in America. We are going home because it is an election year. We have 2 months to be with our constituents. I hope that all constituents will approach their elected officials and ask them, their Members of Congress, and particularly the Republicans who are holding up this vote: Are you going to vote on this in September when you come back? Are we going to enact these laws? Because, if they are not, you can withhold their vote. You have the power. The power is in the people. Let's take back our country. Let's ask every elected official, school board member, city council, and water board, which have jurisdiction over real estate: What have they done to enact gun legislation? California, which is the State I am from, has taken those actions: we have banned assault weapons; we require background checks; we have waiting periods before you can buy ammunition. We have done more than any other State. Guess what? The courts have upheld this. We can do this. This is what elected officials are asked to do--to fix things that are broken and, particularly, in a crisis. You, the voter, take back this country. Make your elected officials respond. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Donovan). Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the Chair and not to the viewing audience. ____________________
