McClellan Joins Thompson, GVPTF Colleagues in Calling on Speaker McCarthy to Schedule Votes on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04), Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force (GVPTF), and 108 members of the GVPTF in a letter urging Speaker Kevin McCarthy to schedule votes on gun violence prevention legislation as soon as possible. 

Although gun violence is the leading cause of death for American children, the House of Representatives has yet to vote on even one gun violence prevention bill this Congress.

“Gun violence is a uniquely American problem, and our children are paying the price for Republicans’ inaction,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Every time there is a school shooting, my son is terrified to go to school, wondering if his classroom will be next. No child should have to endure that fear and trauma, and no parent should have to worry if their child will come home from school. As the leading cause of death of children in America, it is imperative that Congress takes immediate action to advance commonsense gun reforms to stop this senseless loss of life.” 

Republicans canceled the last day of scheduled votes in July over disagreements within the Republican conference about how to proceed on a government funding bill. Should the vote schedule fall apart again, the letter calls on House Republican Leadership to use that time to vote on life-saving gun violence prevention legislation, instead of canceling votes altogether.

McClellan, a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, is a cosponsor of H.R. 1699, the Gun Violence Prevention Act; H.R. 2403, the Enhanced Background Checks Act; H.Res. 459, to designate June as Gun Violence Awareness Month; and H.Res. 348, to declare gun violence a public health crisis. 

Read the full text of the letter here.