Washington – Today Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that the Task Force will have two new Vice Chairs and four new Whips for the 116th Congress. Thompson also released the full membership of the Task Force for the current Congress, including new members.
“After last year’s historic election and with our new majority ready to hold hearings and cast votes, I am honored to announce the leadership for the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in this 116th Congress. These members hail from across our country, bring a diverse skillset and have already shown dedication and conviction on this issue. They have what it takes to combat gun violence,” said Chairman Thompson. “Together, I know we can take the action the American people have been demanding.”
New Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Vice Chairs are Representative Jason Crow (CO-06)and Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06).
"I have long said our leaders need to lead from the front. As a country, we can no longer afford to allow the gun manufacturers and special interests to dictate our policy on gun violence prevention,” said Vice Chair Crow. “As Vice Chair, I look forward to advocating for the thousands of families nationwide who have been impacted by gun violence and pushing Congress to take long-awaited action."
“The pain of losing a child to gun violence never ends. That pain drives me to fight for common-sense gun reform every single day. Thank you to Congressman Thompson for his leadership, and for the opportunity to serve as a Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, where I will continue to work to keep families like mine from experiencing the horror and heartbreak brought on by gun violence,” said Vice Chair McBath. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Task Force to ensure the safety of our communities. Our nation deserves common-sense solutions for every student who has ever been afraid to go to school, for the parents who have ever worried if their child would come home, and for all who know that our country can do better.”
New Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chief Whip is Representative Ted Deutch (FL-21) and Deputy Whips include Representative Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Representative Marc A. Veasey (TX-33).
“Last November, the American people sent to Washington a historic gun safety majority in the House of Representatives,” said Chief Whip Deutch. “With this mandate, we will pursue sensible and effective policies to reduce gun violence plaguing every part of our nation. We have a responsibility to pass laws that will make all Americans safer from gun violence, whether they’re our children in schools or our law enforcement officers patrolling the streets. Through this Task Force we will work to guarantee gun violence prevention remains a top priority for Congress.”
“Thank you to everyone for their consideration in selecting me to serve as Whip for the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force,” said Deputy Whip Hayes. “I am committed to working with my colleagues on common sense gun reform legislation that will keep our communities safer and protect the rights of responsible gun owners. It has been a generation since Congress passed any major legislation to address this growing concern and we owe it to our children to no longer remain silent on this issue.”
“I look forward to working with Chairman Thompson as a Whip for the Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce,” said Deputy Whip Veasey. “It’s critical that we work across the aisle to pass common sense firearm safety in the 116th Congress to end the cycle of violence from mass shootings that are haunting this country.”
“It’s unconscionable that so many of our fellow Americans are killed and wounded by gunfire every year – especially when we have the tools to stop this violence,” said Deputy Whip Madeleine Dean. “We can save lives right now by requiring universal background checks and other commonsense gun safety measures.”
The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force was established after the tragedy at Sandy Hook and has grown to a membership of more than 165.