Rep. Chu Joins Sit-In on House Floor To Demand a Vote on Guns

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) is taking part in an historic sit-in on the House floor organized by Rep. John Lewis (GA-08) to demand a vote on legislation that will keep those on the terrorist watch list from buying guns, expand our background check system for gun purchases, and require the U.S. Surgeon General to research the effects of gun violence on public health. Rep. Chu spoke on the House floor and released the following statement:

“In the wake of the worst mass shooting in our country’s history, I refuse to stand for silence, so I am sitting to demand action. House Republican Leadership may have turned off the C-SPAN cameras, but they cannot silence the majority of Americans who refuse to accept mass shootings as common occurrence. I’m proud to be joining my colleagues to let the American people know they have a voice in Washington, not just the gun lobby.

“Lives are at stake. It is irresponsible and reckless for us to adjourn without taking a vote to keep those who are too dangerous to fly from being able to buy a gun, or to expand commonsense background checks for gun purchases. I am appalled that after so much tragedy we must resort to a sit-in to demand action, but if that is what it takes we will sit until there is a vote on guns.”

Congresswoman Chu also read the names of victims of the shooting in San Bernardino, CA. Her full remarks are below:

“America just experienced the worst mass shooting in our history, and Congressional Republicans are choosing to respond with silence and inaction. Well silence and inaction are not acceptable to us.

“We’re here because so many other victims of gun violence cannot be! Like the 14 men and women gunned down in San Benardino:

“Shannon Johnson, 45

Bennetta Bet-Badal, 46

Aurora Godoy, 26

Isaac Amanios, 60

Larry Kaufman, 42

Harry Bowman, 46

Yvette Velasco, 27

Sierra Clayborn, 27

Robert Adams, 40

Nicholas Thalasinos, 52

Tin Nguyen, 31

Juan Espinoza, 50

Damian Meins, 58

Michale Wetzel, 37.

“We do not forget them and we are here in their memory so that no more have to die from guns.

“If you’re too dangerous to fly, you’re too dangerous to buy a gun. Speaker Ryan, let us have a vote!”