Gun Violence in America

Floor Speech

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Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his courage and trying to save lives, especially the lives of our children and trying again to address the crisis that we have in our country.

It is always an honor to be able to serve the families of the 12th Congressional District in Michigan.

Before I was a Congresswoman, my two sons made me a mother. I am speaking to you all as a mother more than anything.

It is important to understand--this is a true fact--that gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in our country. As of today, there have already been 106 mass shootings--that is more mass shootings than the days in the year so far.

You know what is more horrific? It is more horrific that the gun violence in our communities that is happening every single day doesn't even make the news anymore.

Congress has become so numb--this institution--truly numb to the gun violence crisis in our country that they are not even paying attention any longer.

We cannot continue like this, Mr. Speaker. I refuse to accept that the death of kids is the status quo.

We have not voted on a single gun violence prevention bill under this Republican majority.

Guns now have more rights in our country than women do. It is sick.

It is disgusting that campaign donations from the NRA and gun manufacturers have bought inaction and bought the silence of many of my colleagues and blocked many, many important, major reforms that we need to keep our communities safe across our Nation.

Every one of our colleagues that refuses to vote for commonsense gun violence prevention I truly believe has blood on their hands-- responsibility.

It is clear. They value guns more than the lives of our children. I truly believe our children deserve so much more than, again, inaction and our continued silence.

I thank my colleague for hosting this Special Order. I have seen him on this floor being a father, being a Congressman, and we know what is at stake. Again, no parent ever should worry about their child when they leave home, that they would be a victim of gun violence.

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