On the recordJanuary 4, 2019
The new Democratic majority in this House will not limit its response to mass shootings to just thoughts and prayers. We will listen to gun violence survivors, not gun company lobbyists. We finally will respond to the demands of more than 90 percent of Americans who want stronger background checks. In the 9 years since the Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Citizens United, gun companies and other wealthy special interests have been able to dump unlimited money into our elections. In 2016, the NRA spent more than ever before and watched candidates they help elect ignore the gun violence crisis: nearly 40,000 Americans killed in 2017 and horrific mass shootings in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Thousand Oaks, and Parkland. To release the grip of wealthy special interests on Congress, Democrats have introduced historic reforms as our top priority in H.R. 1, to make it easier to vote, to get money out of politics, to end corruption, and to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Mr. Speaker, no matter what the issue--climate change, healthcare, the economy, or gun violence--it is time for Congress to start working for the people. This week, that work has begun. ____________________
