[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A CALL FOR MEANINGFUL ACTION ON GUN VIOLENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call for meaningful action on 
gun violence. The key word in that sentence is ``meaningful.''
  The tragedy in Orlando served as a dark wake-up call to all 
Americans. Across the Nation, in every major city, to every small town, 
Americans are speaking with one voice saying: ``Enough is enough.''
  The American people are demanding a no fly, no buy bill that prevents 
those on the terror watch list from purchasing firearms.
  How have Republicans responded?
  They have put together a weak, unworkable, and convoluted bill that 
will not address the real problem.
  Imagine, under this legislation, law enforcement must convince a 
court within 72 hours that the buyer ``has committed or will commit an 
act of terrorism'' before it could block a gun sale.
  Is this your idea of homeland security? Really? Is this how you 
protect the homeland?
  Mr. Speaker, the standard is simply unreachable and unworkable. Now, 
one has to wonder where Republicans got such an unfeasible idea.

                              {time}  1100

  The answer is as simple as it is sad. The NRA, which represents large 
weapon manufacturers, wrote this legislation. We need a real, effective 
no fly, no buy bill that stops those on the terrorist watch list from 
purchasing firearms. The Republican legislation is simply a giveaway to 
the NRA that will hobble law enforcement. We also need a system of 
effective, universal background checks that keeps guns out of the hands 
of those who would do us harm.
  Once again, House Republicans are standing in the way. They are 
preventing consideration of this measure that is supported by 90 
percent of the American people. Why? Just to keep their friends in the 
NRA lobby happy with them. Why? Follow the money.
  Mr. Speaker, this is unconscionable. The week after the Orlando 
slaughter, I read on this floor the names of the victims. At that time, 
I said that while we will never forget them, their memory will inspire 
us to real change. But this is not real change. We do not honor the 
victims of Orlando by passing legislation written by the NRA and gun 
manufacturing lobbyists. In fact, if anything, this legislation is an 
insult to the intelligence of the American people. Well, I have news 
for you. The American people see through this, and they are not buying 
it.
  I urge my colleagues: do what is right. Reject this unworkable NRA-
backed trick so that we can vote on real, meaningful legislation to 
address gun violence in this country.

                          ____________________