On the recordJuly 13, 2016
3 weeks ago today, House Democrats conducted a sit-in to demand a commonsense debate and votes on gun violence. Americans gathered around their televisions, computers, and phones and rooted for this Congress to do the right thing. Across the country, families demanded that this body take up two commonsense measures to reduce our country's epidemic of gun violence. Phones in our offices throughout Capitol Hill were ringing off the hook. Thousands of Americans--students, teachers, grieving parents, strangers to the political process--saw something that inspired and excited them, and they picked up the phone because they had hope. Their message: Thank you for fighting for us. Make sure something is done. What did this Congress do with that hope? Well, instead of allowing a vote to expand background checks to keep Americans safe, instead of allowing a vote to close the terrorist gun loophole, instead of even having a debate on gun safety, the Speaker turned his back on the American people and sent the House home early. Since Orlando, hundreds have died from gun violence. Just in the streets of Chicago, more than 300 people have been hurt or killed by guns in the last month. An average of 91 Americans are killed every day by guns. There was a time when unthinkable violence and mass shootings shook our Nation to its core, and our elected leaders would find a way to bring us together like the bipartisan calls we heard for unity in Dallas yesterday.…
