Providing for Consideration of H.R. Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my opposition to the rule being debated on the floor this evening, but also take this opportunity to remind the Speaker that the American people are waiting. They are waiting for us to bring commonsense gun violence prevention measures to this floor.

Mr. Speaker, every day in New York City and in the Borough of Brooklyn, people are hurt and killed by gun violence. Too many families hold fear and sorrow in their hearts from their experiences with senseless gun violence.

Mr. Speaker, people in my district and from all over our Nation have been demanding action. You and your Republican colleagues cannot continue to ignore their pleas and their pain.

Well, I cannot ignore their pleas and their pain, and my Democratic colleagues will not either. Enough is enough. Congress must act to protect the lives of Americans. Congress must do more than hold a moment of silence to absolve you, Mr. Speaker, of your role in the death and destruction due to gun violence.

For me and many in this Nation, gun violence is personal and it has hit home. My colleague, former New York City Councilman James E. Davis, was gunned down in the chambers of the New York City Council before me and his colleagues, the New Yorkers who visited our gallery, and the children, who were part of our audience on that infamous day. Whether it is in the legislative chamber of city hall, in a theater, an elementary school, or a night club, gun violence must end.

Mr. Speaker, I will work tirelessly, relentlessly here on Capitol Hill to protect our communities from the ever-present threat of gun violence. I will continue to stand with all people of goodwill to demand action on the legislation that puts an end to this crisis. I will be their voice here in Washington, D.C.

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