By Rep. Charles Rangel
This week I have never felt more honored to be a member of the Democratic Party as we participated in a historic sit-in on the House floor against gun violence. I joined my colleagues in standing up to the Republican Leadership to urge a vote on commonsense gun legislation. I am proud we said enough is enough, and that we are not going to go home unless a bill comes to this floor to control the violent use of guns. Since 2013, we have had 29 moments of silence, yet we have had no votes for gun safety legislation since 1994. Taking a moment of silence is not going to resolve the problem. No family should lose the life of a loved one because of a bullet. It is time for Republicans to do their job!
Yesterday, the future of over five million immigrant children and parents went into limbo due to the decision of the Supreme Court. Although their split verdict will send the case to the lower courts, the fight for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents) is not over for our nation’s immigrants. Documented or not, today’s immigrants also came to America to find a better life. President Barack Obama’s Executive Actions pave a way to fix our broken immigration system while we push for comprehensive immigration reform. We must protect our legacy as a nation built by immigrants who make innumerous contributions to strengthen America. I will keep standing up for all immigrant families in our community and country so they can live in dignity and without fear of deportation.
Congress must do more to improve the lives and well-being of countless Americans. This week Republicans revealed their “Better Way” Health Care plan which would take healthcare coverage away from 24 million Americans. This plan is the 64th time that Republicans have attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The “Better Way” health care plan is a repackaged Republican initiative which would take away financial assistance for health care coverage, eliminate consumer protections from health care providers, and reduce access to doctors and medicine. Instead of trying to repeal the ACA, we should focus on improving the law and working to prevent illnesses by investing more into Community Health Centers and wellness programs. As the primary cosponsor of the ACA, I am proud to see that the number of uninsured Americans is the lowest it has ever been. Now is the time to make our country even healthier and stronger.
Thank you for the honor of serving you. Have a wonderful weekend!
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