Duckworth Statement On Continuing Resolution, Need For Congressional Action On Gun Violence

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) issued the following statement after casting a vote in support of tonight's bipartisan stopgap budget compromise:

"As a cosponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act, I've consistently worked to move Congress beyond its tendency of governing-by-crisis--of waiting until the last possible moment to avert disaster--and am relieved Republicans finally abandoned their partisan attacks on women's health and joined us in passing a stopgap budget tonight. While this compromise addresses several important priorities and reduces the threat of another shutdown, I remain disappointed that Republicans again appear poised to skip town without acting to protect Americans from needless gun violence. Instead of adjourning tonight, Speaker Ryan should cancel this recess and immediately schedule votes on common-sense gun safety reforms to save lives."

Since arriving in Congress, Duckworth has championed common-sense gun safety reforms and today she joined a group of 120 Members of Congress in urging Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to keep the House in session until Congress finally take action to alleviate our nation's gun violence epidemic. The Congresswoman also participated in this year's historic 25-hour sit-in on the House Floor demanding votes on legislation to prevent gun violence, and has offered her own comprehensive legislative proposal to improve national security by comprehensively and effectively combating a rapidly-growing and evolving threat to American lives: the melding of terrorism, hateful bigotry and deadly gun violence.

Congresswoman Duckworth was one of the first Army women to fly Black Hawk helicopter combat missions in Iraq. She lost her legs and partial use of her right arm after her Black Hawk was hit by an RPG, and she was awarded a Purple Heart. She currently serves as the only member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation on the Armed Services Committee.

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