[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2034-H2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   STIFLING PROGRESS WITH FILIBUSTER

  (Ms. NEWMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. NEWMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of 
Americans who are outraged as they witness mass shooting after mass 
shooting, with no action from their government; the millions of 
Americans who are struggling to make ends meet every day, while their 
government hasn't raised the minimum wage in a decade, so they are 
struggling more than ever; and, similarly, Americans who are fighting 
for equality and civil rights while they see nothing being done in 
Congress.
  Every single week, this House passes legislation that is 
overwhelmingly popular among Americans, yet not one of these bills has 
seen the light of day because of the filibuster. It is truly a death 
grip on our democracy.
  The filibuster is being used by a handful of people to stifle 
progress that Americans overwhelmingly want, progress that would ban 
pay discrimination, progress that would protect our unions, progress 
that would protect voters' rights, progress that would literally save 
lives by passing commonsense gun reform.
  It is past time we get rid of the filibuster as it is today. The 
filibuster

[[Page H2035]]

should not take precedence over American lives.
  I thank the gentleman who just spoke about our great bill that is 
coming up because it is wonderful that all those ideas are in there, so 
I am so glad we are on the same page.

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