On the recordJanuary 4, 2019
As I did my very first speech in 2013, and again in 2017, I rise today to sound a clarion call for the urgent action by this new Congress to address the senseless gun violence that continues to claim too many innocent lives across our country. Sadly, since my first speech 6 years ago, Americans continue to be gunned down in schools, workplaces, houses of worship, community gatherings, and even while sitting comfortably in their own homes. Time and again, Congress pauses for the standard moment of silence and yet, so far, has failed to take real action. Newtown, Parkland, Las Vegas, Mother Emanuel AME, Tree of Life synagogue, the Capital Gazette--these names are but a few of the grotesquely long list of mass shootings and lives cut violently short. And for every mass shooting that captures the headlines, countless other victims are killed or maimed in shootings across our country each and every day. But as we turn the page on this new Congress, I have hope, hope that this year we will finally take action to make our community safer: actions such as passing universal background checks, banning high capacity magazines, and making trafficking of weapons across State lines a Federal crime. We have the power to save lives. Let us now find the courage to act and build a safer future for our children. ____________________
