In Floor Speech, She Rightfully Lays Responsibility for ‘Murder Through Inaction’ at the Feet on Speaker Ryan and House Republicans
Washington, DC –(ENEWSPF)—May 22, 2018
By: James Lewis, Communications Director
Yesterday, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, addressed Congressional inaction on gun violence during the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour.
She began: “It’s sickening to me that I am here again….I can’t believe I’ve been here 5 years and we have not brought one piece of gun violence legislation to the floor….I guess they [House Republicans] don’t care enough about our kids dying.”
In her remarks, Congresswoman Kelly highlighted that school shootings have tragically become commonplace in American society. While each tragedy is shocking and horrifying, not one event has caused Speaker Ryan and House Republicans to take action.
She stated, “School shootings are no longer unusual – no longer shocking. They happen nearly every week in our nation. It’s only May 21st and we’ve already had 22 school shootings this year. 22 school shootings in a matter of five months – and yet my colleagues on the other side of the aisle see no problem with this.”
Congresswoman Kelly reminded Speaker Ryan that 93 Americans lose their lives every day to gun violence in America because of House Republicans’ negligence.
She said,
“Every single day, Mr. Speaker, there is a mother burying her child because of gun violence. Every single day, dreams of college, a career and a family get packed into tiny pine boxes because of House Republicans’ gross negligence….…While the House Majority might not have pulled the trigger, its blind embrace of inaction makes it just a guilty.”
In challenging her colleagues to find the courage to stand up to the NRA and Republican leadership, Congresswoman Kelly invoked the memories and legacies of heroic teachers, Scott Beigel, Aaron Feis and Victoria Leigh Soto. She contrasts it with her colleagues’ inaction and the cause of their inaction.
She noted, “Instead of finding the courage to act, this House – this Speaker – this Majority have stood on the sidelines while kids die and all because of those big, fat NRA checks.”
In closing, Congresswoman Kelly directly asked Speaker Ryan: “How much more guilt will you bear?”
Source: www.robinkelly.house.gov
