Underwood Urges Senate Action on Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Gun Violence

WASHINGTON— Yesterday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), joined Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and 132 other members of Congress in a letter pressing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to hold a vote on important gun violence prevention legislation that would save lives and make communities safer. The Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 1112) both passed the House with bipartisan support more than 260 days ago and have been blocked from Senate consideration despite widespread public support.

"This year there have been more mass shootings than days in 2019. This number is unsettling, but this does not have to be the norm," said Rep. Underwood. "The House has passed bipartisan legislation that would save lives and implement universal background checks for every gun sale or transfer, with limited exceptions. These are bipartisan, common sense policies that more than 90% of Americans support. It's time for the Senate to take action."

A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

November 20, 2019

The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Majority Leader

United States Senate

The Capitol, S-230

Washington, DC 20500

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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