Connecticut Delegation Praises Sens. Murphy and Blumenthal for Filibuster to Demand Action on Gun Violence Prevention

Washington - Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) commended Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal for their historic filibuster on the Senate floor. The tragedy in Orlando marked the 133rd mass shooting of the year, and the Connecticut delegation continues to push for meaningful reforms to prevent gun violence. The delegation issued the following statement:

“We have mourned the loss of far too many innocent lives on account of gun violence, yet Congress remains silent,” said the delegation. “In the words of Sen. Chris Murphy, enough is enough. We echo the sentiments shared by Sens. Murphy and Richard Blumenthal. The vast majority of Americans support common sense reforms like extending background checks to all commercial gun sales and keeping guns out of the hands of individuals on the terror watch list, but Congress keeps silent while men, women, and even children continue to die. We are encouraged by the progress Sen. Murphy’s filibuster made in the Senate, and hopeful that a bipartisan compromise can be reached. We will continue to call on Republican Leadership to do its job and hold a vote here in the House, as well. Until then, Congress remains complicit in every life lost at the barrel of a gun.”

Sen. Murphy began his filibuster at 11:21 AM on June 15, 2016 with a pledge to hold the floor for as long as he could stand. His filibuster lasted just under 15 hours, after which it was announced that Republican and Democratic leadership had reached an agreement to vote on a measure to keep guns out of the hands of those on the terrorist watch list.

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