[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1231-H1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES

  (Mr. KENNEDY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, a year ago, this House passed the 
bipartisan H.R. 8 to establish universal background checks to protect 
our communities from terrifying, paralyzing gun violence. In the 365 
days since, Mitch McConnell has done exactly what the gun industry has 
asked him to do: nothing.
  Meanwhile, a gunman killed five people yesterday in Milwaukee, and 
two teenagers were killed 5 miles from where we stand over the weekend.
  Meanwhile, millions live with the physical and emotional scars caused 
by guns.

[[Page H1232]]

  Meanwhile, the gun industry is wrapped with immunity that shields 
their profits and puts more guns on our streets.
  Madam Speaker, there is a secret that President Trump and Mr. 
McConnell are hiding--you are subsidizing this industry:
  Billions in medical costs, covered by your tax dollars;
  Billions in lost wages, covered by your tax dollars;
  Eighty-seven percent of the costs incurred after a bullet pierces a 
person's skin, covered by you.
  We are propping up an industry that profits off of our pain.
  Enough.

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