Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to speak on something that, frankly, I am sick and tired of having to discuss: House Republicans' refusal to address our Nation's gun violence epidemic.

On December 2, I will never forget how I felt as I walked off this House floor. I had just voted to allow debate on keeping guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists--the no fly, no buy--which was blocked by House Republicans, when I received a barrage of text messages about what was unfolding in my hometown of San Bernardino.

When I heard the news this weekend on Sunday morning, my heart sank. Again. This time, Orlando. This time.

We cannot afford to stand in silence when people are being massacred in bars, when coworkers are being slaughtered at their holiday parties, when churchgoers are being murdered in their place of worship, and when first graders are assassinated in classrooms.

Where do we draw the line? When will we say: Enough is enough?

Preventing domestic abusers, convicted felons, and terrorists from obtaining guns will make our communities safer without infringing on responsible gun owners' right to bear arms. There is no reason to believe that the Second Amendment and commonsense gun reform are mutually exclusive.

Thoughts and prayers are nice, but they don't stop suspected terrorists from getting a firearm. Thoughts and prayers are nice, but they don't perform comprehensive background checks on domestic abusers and those convicted felons who want to kill. Thoughts and prayers are nice, but they don't stop rounds of bullets from ripping out of an assault weapon and inflicting mass casualties on innocent Americans. And thoughts and prayers should not be used as a replacement for taking meaningful action to make our communities safer.

Just hours ago, we heard from Senator Murphy that the other Chamber has reached a bipartisan agreement to allow votes on two important gun safety measures.

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Mr. AGUILAR. We just heard that, on those measures, they have reached a bipartisan agreement to at least allow votes.

When will this Chamber do the same? When will we work to address meaningful solutions rather than acting on recycled bills from months ago that do little to address the issue?

I have said before that House Republicans' most significant action to curb gun violence has been to hold a moment of silence, and I was wrong. They have consistently and deliberately worked to prevent commonsense reform from even being discussed in this Chamber. For that, they should be ashamed.

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