Espaillat and Co. Demanding Vote on Bipartisan Gun Control Legislation
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) joined 213 members of the House Democratic Caucus in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-NY) demanding a vote on two recently introduced gun control bills.
The bills in question are H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. Both were passed by the House in February of this year and have been blocked for a vote by McConnell for more than 160 days.
“In February, the new Democratic House Majority took swift action to pass these bipartisan bills which not only save lives, but also has the support of more than 90 percent of the American people,” reads the letter. “Since that time, you have allowed more than 150 days to pass and countless lives have been lost including those most recently lost in Gilroy, California, El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois and the many others who will never make the headlines.
“This inaction must stop. We know background checks save lives. Every day background checks stop more than 170 felons and 50 domestic abusers from getting a gun. Any delay to pass commonsense gun violence prevention legislation only increases the chances that more innocent people in America may suffer from the tragic and needless loss caused by gun violence.”
Kallos Mourns Toni Morrison
City Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Yorkville, Lenox Hill) tweeted yesterday to mourn the loss of famed American author Toni Morrison.
Morrison, author of “Song of Solomon” and “The Bluest Eye” and a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, was renowned for her examination of the black experience in America. She passed away last Monday at the age of 88.
“With Toni Morrison’s passing, we lost one of the most important literary voice in the past century,” said Kallos. “Her works brought attention to a generation that was neglected for decades. Her words will continue to influence future generations.”
Maloney to Host “Telephone Town Hall”
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) will be hosting a “telephone town hall” tonight.
For one hour, Maloney will be taking calls from her constituents about her legislative agenda and the status of her current projects. Those who wish to participate must register in advance.
The event will take place tonight from 6 – 7 p.m. To register, follow this link. The registration deadline is 2 p.m.
