Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and the Task Force’s leadership wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging him to meet with them to discuss Senate consideration of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. Both bills passed the House with a strong bipartisan vote and have overwhelming support with the American public.
A copy of the letter is below; it was signed by Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Vice Chairs and Whips, Representatives David Cicilline (RI-01), Jason Crow (CO-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Val Demings (FL-10), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), David Price (NC-04), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Bobby Scott (VA-03), José E. Serrano (NY-15), Jackie Speier (CA-14) and Marc A. Veasey (TX-33).
Last week, Thompson and 213 of his colleagues wrote a letter to Leader McConnell demanding he immediately call the Senate back into session to pass H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. Both these bipartisan bills were passed by the House in February of this year and have been blocked for a vote by McConnell for more than 160 days.
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
The Capitol, S-230
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Majority Leader:
As the leadership of the House of Representatives Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, we request a meeting with you to discuss Senate consideration of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. Both bills passed the House with bipartisan support and have strong support with the American public.
Sadly, gun violence has left no state untouched. This year alone, 155 Kentuckians have been killed by someone using a gun and the State has experienced five mass shootings. These tragedies will leave lasting trauma. America does not have to live this way.
Gun violence should not be a political issue. We know that more than 90 percent of people in America support background checks – and for good reason. Every day, background checks stop 170 felons and 50 domestic abusers from getting a gun from a licensed dealer. The American people sent us to Washington to get things done. That includes putting an end to the epidemic of gun violence.
We hope you will take the time to meet with us to talk about how we can advance H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112. We are committed to finding bipartisan solutions and hope you will make this issue a priority in the Senate. We look forward to your timely response to this urgent matter.