Post by bot on Jun 26, 2016 16:34:26 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement As House Democrats End Sit-In to Demand Action on Gun Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today as House Democrats ended their sit-in demanding action on legislation to address gun violence after nearly twenty-six hours on the House Floor:
"For nearly twenty-six hours, Democrats held the Floor of the House to demand that the Republican Majority stop ignoring the issue of gun safety and allow a vote, at a minimum, on legislation to prevent terror suspects from purchasing firearms and expand background checks. Though the cameras in the chamber were shut off and the microphones silenced, no one could quiet the determined resolve of our Members from speaking out, powerfully and movingly, to demand action. There can be no doubt that the Speaker and his Republican colleagues heard our voices. Indeed, thanks to the grassroots power of social media, tens of millions across the country heard our calls for meaningful gun safety reforms, and hundreds gathered outside the Capitol and stood in solidarity with us through the dark of night.
"Republicans have held moments of silence for mass murders in Orlando, Newtown, Charleston, Aurora, and other places, and we have offered our prayers and thoughts for the victims and their families. But prayers and thoughts are not enough. Silence is the wrong approach when it is the only approach. The best way to pay tribute to the memories of the thousands upon thousands of people whose lives have been taken by gun violence is to break the silence that has stifled debate, to pray with our feet, and to ensure that our actions truly reflect the values we hold dear.
"Today, standing alongside Reps. John Lewis, John Larson, Katherine Clark, Robin Kelly, and David Cicilline, who organized and led our sit-in, we are resolved to carry this fight forward as long as it takes. This battle may have been won - Republicans can no longer ignore what a majority of Americans demand - but the war against gun violence will continue. And, with the energy and support of millions of Americans on our side, our campaign to demand life-saving reforms will surely prevail."
