Commentary: Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives today staged a sit-in, the first of its kind in four decades, demanding Republican leaders to allow votes on measures that would prevent suspected terrorists from buying firearms and expand background checks.
NEA President Lily Eskelsen García issued the following statement:
“Since the Orlando shooting, and in the many senseless tragedies before, some lawmakers and political leaders have offered thoughts and prayers for the victims and grieving families. Enough is enough. We have grieved too long and too often—for the students killed, for their families and for the heroic educators. The time is now for Congress to act and allow a vote on measures to prevent more tragedies in our schools and communities.
“The Republican leadership doesn’t control Democracy. The American people do. We commend the valiant members of Congress who are standing up and demanding a vote on commonsense measures to prevent suspected terrorists from buying firearms and expand background checks.
“We are not going anywhere, not backing down, until Congress stands up against gun violence.”