Washington, DC — Today, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06), together with House colleagues, delivered a letter signed by 133 members to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell urging he bring common-sense, bipartisan background checks to a vote in the Senate in the wake of recent tragic shootings across the country. The letter was hand-delivered to Leader McConnell and asks that he bring a vote on H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019 and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. Both passed the House with bipartisan support more than 260 days ago and have been blocked from Senate consideration despite widespread public support. McBath joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05),  Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27).

“Every day that Leader McConnell refuses to take up this lifesaving legislation, people across this country continue to die from unnecessary gun violence that could be prevented by common-sense measures and background checks,” said McBath. “It’s past time for the Senate to act. We are asking, on behalf of the American people, to take a vote on these measures, to let democracy work the way it’s supposed to, to do what’s right, and save American lives.”

The text of the letter is below:

 

Dear Leader McConnell:

 

We strongly urge you to vote on and pass H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act, and H.R 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act.

 

Just this week, we witnessed yet another tragedy—the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Sadly, it is only the latest example of the gun violence plaguing our country from Orinda to Dayton, Chicago to El Paso, Virginia Beach to Charlotte, and many other communities that never make the headlines. You cannot allow such senseless loss of life to continue unabated. You must act.

 

More than 260 days ago, the House Democratic Majority acted decisively, on a bipartisan basis, and with the support of more than 90 percent of the American people to pass legislation that addresses our nation’s epidemic of gun violence. Since then, you have taken no action on these life-saving measures in the Senate. This delay is unconscionable.

 

Background checks save lives. Every day, our background check system stops more than 170 felons and 50 domestic abusers from acquiring a firearm. Every day the Senate fails to act increases the likelihood these dangerous individuals can get a gun anyway and lives will be lost.

 

Again, we urge you to hold a vote on H.R 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. You can still do the right thing for our communities. The eyes of our nation and of history are on you. Thank you for your attention to this grave matter of urgency. 

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