The Time is Now

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, the American people have been clear: they are demanding a vote to keep Americans safe from gun violence.

When the Speaker announced a vote this week on gun violence, the American people hoped this would be a vote for families and children, a vote to honor victims and survivors of senseless gun violence, and a vote to keep Americans safe from harm. Instead, the American families have been given a bait-and-switch.

The bill we have in front of us is a vote for powerful special interests, a vote to honor the millions of dollars of the NRA's campaign spending, and a vote for a bill that does nothing to keep Americans safe from harm. This is a bill backed by the heavyhanded gun lobby that ensures it is easier for terrorist suspects to buy an assault rifle than to get on a plane.

Last week, representing half a million people, the mayors in my district came together and asked me to deliver a letter to Speaker Ryan. In part it reads:

``A strong and growing number of our constituents are deeply frustrated with the inaction of this Congress. We urge you to allow debate and votes on expanding background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists.''

The time is now for those votes.

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