No More Silence on Gun Violence

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, we have come to the floor today to demand action. We have come to the floor with John Lewis. When John Lewis speaks--the conscience of our Congress--America listens.

As the barbaric details of the massacre of people dancing at the Pulse nightclub were released, I grieved for those lost. I thought about their dancing and how the human species is the only species that dances. Maybe that is because dancing is a celebration of spirit. Whether you love the waltz, the dab, square dancing, disco, or raves, dancing connects us.

For the LGBT community, the dance floor is often the place at which acceptance and belonging come together. While the massacre of 49 people would have been horrifying and shocking wherever it had happened, it happened on the dance floor at a gay club. A place of refuge--where fear and intimidation give way to joy, acceptance, and belonging--was transformed by hate and cowardice into a grotesque barrow.

Many of our sanctuaries have been violated by gun violence. It is a grisly routine: first graders and their teachers shot in their elementary school; students and professors shot in their college classrooms; parishioners shot after Bible study and fellowship in their church; social workers and disabled clients shot at a holiday party; our colleague shot while meeting with constituents; neighborhood sidewalks and parks transformed into blood soaked memorials.

Over the last 12 years, gun violence has claimed more American lives than war, AIDS, and illegal drug overdoses combined. Since Newtown, tens of thousands of lives have been lost to this deadly crisis. Yet the number of bills that have been debated and passed by this Congress to help prevent such deaths: zero.

Inaction is a choice. Inaction is costing lives. Today I am asking that this House have a vote, that we perform our basic responsibilities not only as Members of Congress, but as members of a community, and debate and vote on two commonsense measures to curb gun violence. I am asking for a vote on expanding background checks and on preventing suspected terrorists from being able to buy a gun.

The debate wages on on cable news, in our living rooms, on our Twitter feeds, and on Facebook.

Why can't the debate happen here?

There is no one solution to end gun violence or even to reduce it, but we have to try. This absolutist approach that we can't even vote on commonsense measures to help protect our families leaves us in a deadly arms race with ourselves.

Why is a vote so paralyzing? Is it special interests? Is it fear? Does the House leadership really believe that our Constitution and our liberties are so fragile that we have to tolerate carnage like we saw in Orlando or like we see on the streets of Chicago rather than risk a vote?

These two proposals have widespread support from the American people. Whatever your position on the substance of the bill, let's vote. Let's put it out there for people to judge. The American people get it. They understand that we can protect our constitutional rights and take reasoned steps to reduce gun violence. The American people understand that the two are, in fact, compatible under a robust democracy, not mutually exclusive.

Millions of Americans at home are worried and frustrated by this Congress' silence on this deadly epidemic. Without action, moments of silence cease to honor the thousands of victims, survivors, and families who have been devastated by gun violence. Moments of silence should be where action begins. Sadly, in this Congress, it is the only action that is taken. No more silence.

I urge the Speaker, before he sends Members home for the 4th of July, to have us vote on these two practical proposals. There is no holiday from gun violence for ordinary Americans. Our communities and our democracy deserve a vote so our children can dance again in freedom and safety.

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