Providing for Consideration of H.R. Separation of Powers Restoration Act of Providing for Proceedings During the Period From June Through July and Providing for Consideration of Motions to Suspend the Rules

Floor Speech

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and underlying bill. I, instead, urge consideration of H.R. 1217, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act. This bipartisan bill has the support of 186 Members of Congress and it would simply require every firearm sale to conduct a background check. It is a commonsense bill that 90 percent of Americans support and that would save lives.

Right now anyone can buy a gun online or at a gun show without a background check. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, how does that make sense?

By not requiring background checks for gun shows or online purchases, we are inviting bad guys to access guns. We have a gaping hole in our system that must be closed. It is time for the House to take action on gun violence.

This week we finally have a gun bill on the floor, except that it isn't a gun violence prevention bill. It is a bill written by the big gun lobby that would give the Attorney General just 72 hours to determine if someone on the no-fly list should be able to purchase a gun. To call this a gun violence protection bill is disrespectful and dishonors the millions of victims of gun violence.

What will it take for this House to take action on a real gun violence bill?

When Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot, Congress did nothing. When innocent schoolchildren were slaughtered in Newtown, this House did nothing. As thousands of Americans each month continue to fall victim to gun violence, this House does nothing.

This past weekend, the world lost a great man, Elie Wiesel. He famously said that the opposite of love isn't hate; it's indifference.

My Republican colleagues for too long have been indifferent to America's gun violence epidemic. They have been indifferent to grieving mothers. They have been indifferent to dying children. They have been indifferent to communities that have lost hope for their future. They are indifferent to 90 percent of the American people who want expanded background checks.

The American people are sick of this inaction. I am one of these Americans.

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. I can think of at least 185 other Americans in this Chamber right now who want to vote on a real gun violence prevention bill.

Mr. Speaker, call a vote on H.R. 1217. This is the people's House. The people and their Representatives are speaking. We implore you to find the courage to stand up against the gun lobby and call a vote on this commonsense, bipartisan bill.

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