Pelosi Statement on Democrats’ Discharge Petition on Bipartisan Background Check Bill

February 27, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after House Democrats filed a discharge petition to demand a vote on the bipartisan Thompson-King bill to strengthen background checks, closing the dangerous loopholes that allow gun sales without background checks over the internet and at gun shows:

"Every day, more of America's children die from gun violence. Yet, House Republicans have refused to allow even a vote on the most commonsense, bipartisan legislation to prevent the senseless tragedy of gun violence.

"Fully 97 percent of Americans, including 97 percent of gun owners, support requiring background checks for all gun buyers. The NRA's stranglehold on the Republican Leadership is the only reason the American people have not received a vote on life-saving bipartisan background check legislation.

"With our discharge petition led by Rep. Mike Thompson, House Democrats are calling on all sensible Republicans to join us in simply insisting on an up-or-down vote on strengthening background checks. Lives are at stake. House Republicans will decide whether blind obedience to the NRA matters more than the lives of innocent children and the will of the American people."