House Republicans Have Cut and Run on the American People

Floor Speech

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Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, here we are, House Democrats, right here in the House, ready to work. Where are House Republicans? Well, they have escaped for 52 days without taking care of the Nation's business.

That's right, escaped--you know, left, fled, absconded, disappeared, departed, dodged, bolted, bailed, ducked out, burst out, shipped out, made off, cut and run. That is what House Republicans have done.

But here is what is left undone: the opportunity to protect our children and families from the spread of the Zika virus, from a concern to a public health crisis; the opportunity to provide clean drinking water for over 9,000 children in Flint, Michigan, poisoned with lead.

This is serious. In fact, it is sobering. In the next 52 days that the House Republicans have escaped, 4,732 American men, women, and children will lose their lives to gun violence, including 67 who will be killed with a gun as a result of domestic violence. Mr. Speaker, 6,780 perpetrators have already gotten their hands on guns through the loophole.

Where are House Republicans? You got it. They are on vacation.

So shame on House Republicans for not acting to protect our communities from the epidemic of gun violence by passing 100 percent background checks no matter where a gun is purchased and preventing terrorists from buying a gun when they can't even get on a plane. Shame on House Republicans for cutting and running on the American people.

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