Larson: “No More Silence”
July 5, 2016
Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) took the House floor to reflect on the historic sit-in by House Democrats and a path forward on gun reforms.
Click above to view Rep. Larson’s full remarks, or visit https://youtu.be/1wOooExsvPg.
“We come to the floor this afternoon knowing that later this day we have a meeting with the Speaker. It is our goal and our hope that the Speaker will provide an opportunity for the minority party to have its two votes taken up in this Congress. We prevail on the good nature of the Speaker and know him to be an honest and forthright man. Being an institutionalist, we know he’s not just Speaker for the Republican Conference, but he is indeed Speaker of the entire House. ….
“We’re asking for a simple vote. After all, that’s what we’re elected to do. We’re elected to represent the people we are sworn to serve and cast votes. It’s been more than three and a half years and we have not even been allowed to cast a vote in the House of Representatives. That is why so many took to this floor in an organic movement, demonstrating that we’ve had enough and that we deserve a vote and that we demand a vote for the countless victims and families and ongoing tragedies. It is not enough—respectful as it is—to stand for a moment of silence. Our Caucus will not be silent anymore.”
Larson and Rep. John Lewis are scheduled to have a meeting with Speaker Paul Ryan later this afternoon.
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Issues:Gun Violence Prevention