Donald M. Payne: “First, let me thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for her leadership on these issues. Right now, her focus has…”

“First, let me thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for her leadership on these issues. Right now, her focus has been on helping her country come to grips with the devastating hurricanes that have struck all the islands of the American Virgin Islands, and she has demonstrated great leadership in that endeavor. Also, on the whole issue around TPS, Ms. Plaskett and Ms. Clarke have been our true leaders in the diaspora around these issues, whether it be the Caribbean or back to the Continent of Africa. I just want to acknowledge their great work on all of these issues and also thank the gentlewoman for hosting tonight's Special Order hour on protecting TPS recipients. Before I start on the topic at hand, I would like to send my condolences out to the loved ones of the 26 people tragically murdered and the 21 people injured in yesterday's mass shooting in Texas. When will we realize that something must be done in this country? I have to ask: How much blood must be shed before Congress acts on gun control? It has been 10 years since Congress has passed a gun control law. Since then, more than 300,000 people have been killed by guns in this country. More than 100,000 of those deaths were homicides. The American people deserve better--much better.…”