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Larson Urges Action Following Meeting with Speaker Ryan

July 6, 2016

Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) took the House Floor to continue the call for bipartisan action on gun reforms and to speak in favor of the mental health reforms to be considered this afternoon. Larson and Rep. John Lewis (GA-5) met with Speaker Paul Ryan last night to discuss the urgent need for a vote on two commonsense and widely-supported measures: universal background checks and closing the terrorist loophole. Larson’s full remarks can be seen below:


Click above to view Rep. Larson’s full remarks, or visit https://youtu.be/Bht61pu-noc.

“I hope, Mr. Speaker, that in the midst of our disagreement, in the midst of our dissent and continued presence on this floor to articulate our deep feelings and commitment to the citizens we’re sworn to serve, that you will permit--that the majority will allow, a vote to take place on this floor—which will demonstrate to this great country that this United States Congress can work.

It will start today. It will happen when [the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act] comes to the floor and this side of the aisle joins with you on an important piece of legislation, passed and adopted as it relates to the mental health crisis in this country. As Rep. Diana DeGette said, it should not be considered a substitute, but what it should be considered is a step that we can take together in common cause. It’s what the American people expect from us. We should give them no less. Minimally, we deserve a vote. A vote on No Fly No Buy. A vote on background checks.”

The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 (H.R. 2646) would fund community-based, evidence-backed approaches to treating mental illness, enhance crisis response systems, and improve suicide prevention strategies. While not a perfect proposal—and not a replacement for comprehensive gun reforms—it is an important step forward for improving services to those suffering from mental illnesses.

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