JUDICIARY DEMS URGE GOODLATTE TO BRING GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION LEGISLATION BEFORE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FOR A VOTE
Today, all House Judiciary Committee Democrats, led by Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), urged Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) to bring gun violence prevention legislation before the House Judiciary Committee for a vote.
Chairman Goodlatte and Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) wrote to FBI Director Chris Wray last week to call for a briefing on reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not properly act on a tip about the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter. However, the House Judiciary Committee’s response to gun violence has been inadequate, not holding a single hearing or considering the legislative measures necessary to address this crisis. Since October 2017, House Judiciary Democrats have written repeatedly to Chairman Goodlatte calling for hearings. To date, there has been no response.
In today’s letter, the Members wrote,
“So far, your sense of urgency about this issue has focused solely on the FBI, but your request to Director Wray is no substitute for enacting meaningful legislation, which we know is necessary to make our citizens safer from gun violence.
“We therefore ask that, in addition to seeking information from the FBI about the tip it received about the Parkland shooter, you bring gun violence prevention legislation before the Committee without delay.”
Today’s letter was signed by every Democrat on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, including: Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Karen Bass (D-CA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), David Cicilline (D-RI), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Val Demings (D-FL).
On November 7, 2017, Judiciary Democrats sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte to request that the Committee’s ATF briefing be conducted as a public hearing, and that the FBI be included to discuss background check issues.
On November 1, 2017, all House Judiciary Democrats sent a letter to Chairman Bob Goodlatte, urging him to hold hearings on gun violence in America.
On October 2, 2017, immediately following the Las Vegas shooting, Judiciary Democrats sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte to renew their call for hearings on these issues.
Full text of today’s letter is available here and below.
