Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for the time. Madam Speaker, this will provide an accurate accounting of the inefficiencies in the NICS system and provide a starting point to ensure full enforcement of our laws. I was pleased that this amendment was made in order, and I hope all Members will support it when it comes to the floor for a vote. But the underlying bill, H.R. 1446, should not pass this House. Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague and friend on the Rules Committee that we should enforce existing laws. In States like California where we have universal background checks, we have seen that gun violence has gone down, as I said in my earlier remarks. We have also seen that 30 percent of the guns used in criminal activity are actually imported into the State from other States. To the previous comments that we need a national standard, that is why we need a national standard. It doesn't mean that States like California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts can't do these things, and it is a good laboratory, as Justice Brandeis said, that States should be the laboratory for innovation. We know these things work. So I would agree that we should enforce and get the revenue, the existing law. But clearly, eliminating the background checks loophole would help make Americans safe. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”