Gun Violence Prevention
I believe that we have a responsibility to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and other dangerous individuals, and I will always speak out in favor of common-sense gun violence prevention legislation. Gun violence is a pervasive problem in the United States. I often hear from constituents living in the 9th District who feel the impacts of this violence firsthand. They are seeking solutions to the senseless violence that tears families apart each and every day in Chicago and in communities across the country. Far too often, we witness terrifying and heartbreaking shootings in our schools and communities. Our children should not be forced to live in a country where, on average, 91 people are killed with guns daily. And where seven of them are children and teens. Children in the United States are 13 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than children in other industrialized countries. That is absolutely unacceptable, and it is clear that we need to take action. I will keep working to pass real gun safety legislation that protects our children and our communities.
More on Gun Violence Prevention
I want to tell you about two recent U.S. District Court rulings that I am following closely that have major implications for access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
As I am sure you are aware, former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a New York grand jury and will be arraigned on Tuesday. According to reports, Trump faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud for allegedly concealing hush money payments to Stormy Daniels in order to cover-up their extramarital affair from voters during the closing days of his presidential campaign.
On Friday, I voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding legislation. This monumental funding package will have major implications for generations to come.
As the holiday shopping season begins, we must ensure that toys bring joy, not injury. For 37 years, Illinois PIRG Education Fund has released the Trouble in Toyland report, which has helped shape toy safety regulations since the 1980s. Last week, I attended a press conference at Lurie Children’s Hospital to discuss the findings of the report. Thankfully, since the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act became law 14 years ago, the number of dangerous toys has decreased.
This past week, I hosted a gun violence listening session at the Glenview Public Library. I heard from students from Glenbrook South, New Trier, and Maine West. I also spoke with advocates from Moms Demand Action. What I heard in that room was power. Students and activists have had enough. Bulletproof backpacks, active shooter drills, and planned escape routes. These are just some of the things our students are forced to deal with. Kids no longer feel safe in school. We can't sit back. We need action, and we need it now. I am committed to making a change.
AR-15 style firearms are designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. They don't belong in civilian hands. Today's #AssaultWeaponsBan vote is for all the families whose lives were forever changed due to these deadly weapons.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement upon passage of H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, which would again ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines – removing these weapons of war from the hands of civilians.