Congresswoman Bush Delivers Floor Speech on Kansas City Shooting
WATCH: “This preventable and despicable epidemic of gun violence affects us all” says Bush
Washington D.C. (Feb. 15, 2024) — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) delivered a speech on the House floor to send condolences to Kansas City, Missouri in the wake of yesterday’s mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Parade. Watch HERE or read her full remarks, as prepared for delivery, below.
“St. Louis and I rise to send condolences to Kansas City in the wake of yesterday’s mass shooting.
“This preventable and despicable epidemic of gun violence affects us all. It impacts my district in St. Louis; your districts; and our entire country. It does not need to be this way.
“Missouri has some of the weakest gun laws in the country. Instead of addressing this epidemic, Missouri Republicans continue to eviscerate and obstruct gun safety laws.
“To the Missouri Republicans who are pointing their finger at the people of Kansas City and calling them ‘thugs’ - this blood is on your hands. You don’t get to scapegoat the victims of this shooting when you are actively blocking gun violence prevention legislation.
“Your allegiance to the NRA over the needs of our communities is shameful. Missouri needs you to act. Join us in passing meaningful common-sense gun safety legislation, so that we can put an end to this crisis and save lives.”
Congresswoman Bush believes that the epidemic of gun violence is preventable. That’s why she continues to work tirelessly in Congress to introduce and push for gun violence prevention policies rooted in public health. Examples include:
- Congresswoman Bush, along with other Democrats, pushed for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation signed into law that closes the dating partner loophole & delivers a $250 million investment in community violence intervention programs. Over half of all intimate partner homicides are committed with guns and a woman is five times more likely to be murdered when her abuser has access to a gun.
- Congresswoman Bush introduced the People's Response Act, legislation that adopts a new approach to public safety that understands that true public safety must be rooted in a public health response
- In September 2022, Congresswoman Bush and Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) led 30 colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Justice, Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a review of gun violence prevention strategies in schools and establish a comprehensive plan that meets the holistic emotional, health, and safety needs of all our students.
- Congresswoman Bush secured hundreds of millions through the American Rescue Plan for MO-1, including for violence prevention, community revitalization efforts, and cash payments.
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