Introductory Statement: Gun Violence Research Legislation

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce legislation to end the misguided freeze on public health research about firearm safety and gun violence.

For too long, this Congress has put political talking points ahead of real solutions, and our country is a more dangerous place because of it. Every day, 32 Americans are murdered with guns, and a recent study conducted by researchers at New York University's Langone Medical Center and St. Luke's Medical Center found the U.S. has the highest rate of gun-related deaths among a group of 27 developed countries, including four times higher than Canada.

Because of past riders on Appropriations legislation, federal funding for gun violence research came to a halt in the mid-1990s. As a result policymakers and community leaders lack the authoritative public health research they need to address the horrifying persistence of gun violence.

The bill I introduce today, with companion legislation introduced by Senator Markey, would right this wrong and authorize $10 million in annual funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through Fiscal Year 2020. This funding will allow the CDC to begin the research agenda outlined in a report issued last year by the Institutes of Medicine to identify areas in need of study to better understand the underlying causes of gun violence and best implement strategies for prevention.

We know that public health research can save lives and prevent tragedies. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds research to make our roads
and cars safer--and car fatalities have decreased 36 percent in the last 20 years. Other public health crises cannot be left ignored, and I'm proud to introduce this legislation that addresses the epidemic of gun violence and develops best strategies to prevent future incidents.

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