Congressional Record, Senate, May 25, 2022: Robb Elementary School Shooting

Summary

A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated May 25, 2022, at page S2677. A Senator says Republicans will offer thoughts and prayers while ensuring the NRA and gun manufacturers that nothing will change, and urges some brave Republicans to act. Mr. Schumer objects to proceeding en bloc to bills on firearm transfers so that they are placed on the calendar. Under the heading Robb Elementary School Shooting, Mr. McConnell says the country is sickened and outraged by the senseless evil that struck the school, where at least 19 young children and 2 teachers were murdered. A further speaker says it is unacceptable that Republican Members will not find a way to reduce gun violence. The remarks are the speakers' own.

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“Congressional Record, Senate, May 25, 2022: Robb Elementary School Shooting.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-05-25-crec-2022-05-25-pt1-pgs2677-9ce17cdebd/, SHA-256 4ff7d8caf8b80e3309c0f2d154cb0c01e87121f4d211992f36f0f08f34456a57.

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May 25, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2677
will offer their thoughts and prayers. PHY, Senator MANCHIN—on legislation lowed before a Federal firearms licensee may
They will say they want to lift up the that will eventually pass and become transfer a firearm to a person who is not
community. And then they will go law. The other side has refused. There such a licensee.
back to their smoke-filled rooms and are so many options available to us, so Mr. SCHUMER. In order to place
ensure the NRA and gun manufacturers many ideas. We just need some brave these bills on the calendar under the
that nothing will change, that they Republicans to stand before history provisions of rule XIV, I would object
have the NRA’s back. and yell ‘‘stop,’’ to think, if it was your to further proceeding en bloc.
No, Madam President, no, this isn’t a child, your grandchild, how you would The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
case of Republicans hiding their posi- feel. Would that move you to do some- pore. Objections having been heard, the
tion. They proudly tell the American bills will be placed on the calendar.
thing—something—about this plague of
people which side they are on, and Mr. SCHUMER. I yield the floor.
guns?
America is much worse off for it. And Like my colleague Senator MURPHY, f
if nothing does change, we are con- I refuse to believe that we cannot find RECOGNITION OF THE MINORITY
demned to find ourselves right here a path forward. Make no mistake about LEADER
once again very, very soon. it, if we can’t find a good, strong bill
As I was reading the reports of the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem-
that has bipartisan support, we will pore. The Republican leader is recog-
tragedy in Texas, I saw that Amanda
continue to pursue this issue on our nized.
Gorman, the young woman who mes-
own. We have no choice. It is too im- f
merized the Nation at President
portant. Lives are at stake.
Biden’s inauguration, tweeted: ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
I accept the fact that most of my Re-
The truth is, one nation under guns. SHOOTING
publican colleagues are not willing to
‘‘One nation under guns.’’ That is do what it takes to prevent this need- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President,
simply heartbreaking—heart- less loss of life. The NRA will have a our country is sickened and outraged
breaking—to think that this is the leg- hold on them. That is just a reality, by the senseless evil that struck Robb
acy that older generations are leaving unfortunately. But it is unacceptable Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, only
behind for young Americans: ‘‘one na- to the American people to think that yesterday. According to early reports
tion under guns.’’ there are not 10 of my Republican col- from authorities, it appears that a de-
It doesn’t have to be that way. Our ranged young man tried to murder his
leagues, just 10—1 out of 5 over here—
parents don’t need to drop their kids own grandmother, then crashed his car,
who would be ready to work to pass
off at school and wonder if their kid and then ran into an elementary school
something that would reduce this
will be next. That is in the thoughts of and began killing.
plague of gun violence.
millions of moms and dads right now. At least 19 young children and 2
It is unacceptable that there are not
Our citizens don’t have to endure the teachers were murdered—murdered—
10 Members of the Republican caucus
fear of getting groceries while con- for no apparent reason at all. These in-
willing to save lives, find a way to do
stantly keeping an eye behind their nocent kids were simply going to
backs. Again, millions of Americans it. Yet that is where we are. That is
where we are. Another week, another school. They put on their backpacks,
are worried about that right now. said goodbye to their parents, and
Americans can make a choice. Amer- American community devastated by a
mass shooting. All of us thinking of headed off for another day of learning
icans can reject the Republican ‘‘guns and friendship. There were only 2 days
at all cost’’ doctrine, obeisance to the these 9- and 10- and 11-year-old children
just shot, gone. Another American left before summer break. And because
NRA, not even voting for the most sim- of this maniac, at least 19 of these kids
ple, sensitive, positive, and popular gun community, Uvalde, which will never
recover, like the other communities never made it home.
legislation. Americans can cast their One of the victims was a 10-year-old
vote in November for Senators or Mem- before it. Will it be yet—Uvalde—an-
girl whose father described her as ‘‘full
bers of Congress who reflect how he or other example of Republicans unwill- of life, a jokester, always smiling.’’ A
she stands with guns, with this issue— ing to do what it takes to keep Ameri- 10-year-old boy who loved sports and
this issue—at the top of the voters’ cans safe? art had just received his honor roll cer-
lists. I yield the floor. tificate a few hours earlier. His mother
In the meantime, my Republican col- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- says he was thrilled—thrilled—about
leagues can work with us now. I know jority leader. moving up into middle school next
this is a slim prospect—very slim, all f year.
too slim. We have been burned so many MEASURES PLACED ON THE CAL- It is literally sickening—sickening—
times before. But this is so important, ENDAR—H.R. 3807, H.R. 3967, H.R. to consider the innocent young lives
and I have such a firm belief—taught 6833, H.R. 8, AND H.R. 1446 that were stolen by this pointless,
to me by my late father, who passed senseless brutality; to consider the par-
away in November—that if you do the Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ents and families who sat waiting at
right thing and persist, justice will understand there are five bills at the the civic center, waiting to either be
eventually prevail. But you have to desk due for a second reading en bloc. reunited with their son or their daugh-
keep persisting, and we will. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- ter or to learn they never would be.
For that reason alone, we must pur- pore. The clerk will read the titles of The investigation is still underway.
sue action and even ask Republicans the bills for the second time. The authorities will continue to learn
again to join us—maybe, maybe, The bill clerk read as follows: exactly what happened and how. In the
maybe. Unlikely. We have been burned A bill (H.R. 3807) to amend the American meantime, we are also praying for the
in the past. But their hearts might see Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to increase appro- Border Patrol officer who, according to
priations to the Restaurant Revitalization reports, was wounded after he re-
what is happening and join us and do
Fund, and for other purposes.
the right thing. They know it is the A bill (H.R. 3967) to improve health care
sponded to the scene, and for all the
right thing. They can work with us to and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic law enforcement, paramedics, and first
craft legislation that would prevent substances, and for other purposes. responders whose dedication yesterday
needless loss of life. It is their choice. A bill (H.R. 6833) to amend title XXVII of saved lives.
As majority leader, I haven’t been the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Most of all, the entire Nation’s
shy about putting bipartisan legisla- Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Re- hearts are broken for the victims and
tirement Income Security Act of 1974 to es-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
tion on the floor for a vote, but bipar- for their families. Words simply fail.
tisan means both parties must engage tablish requirements with respect to cost- Yesterday, the Uvalde school super-
sharing for certain insulin products, and for intendent said:
in crafting a bill, like what happened
other purposes.
in the House and Senate 30 years ago We’re a small community [and] we’re going
A bill (H.R. 8) to require a background
with the Brady law and the assault to need your prayers to get us through this.
check for every firearm sale.
weapons ban. A bill (H.R. 1446) to amend chapter 44 of We pray fervently that in the midst
Democrats have been trying to work title 18, United States Code, to strengthen of this nightmare of grief, our Heav-
hard with Republicans—Senator MUR- the background check procedures to be fol- enly Father will make manifest to

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