WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Deputy Whip of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force led House Education Committee Democrats, in sending a letter calling on House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) to hold a full Committee hearing on school shootings and safety in American schools.
The lawmakers wrote: “We write to request the House Committee on Education and Workforce hold a full Committee hearing on school shootings and safety in American schools. Preventing school shootings requires a multifaceted approach that includes mental health support, community engagement, gun safety measures, and educational programs. The requested hearing should focus on identifying trends and crafting legislation that will support local communities in keeping children safe in school and preventing gun violence.”
They continued: “This Committee has the ability to bring together experts and individuals with firsthand experience to help develop federal legislation that implements school security upgrades, invests in mental health services, creates evidence-based crisis and threat assessments, and fosters a positive and trusting school environment.”
“Therefore, we implore the House Committee on Education and Workforce to hold a Full Committee hearing on school shootings and safety in schools before the end of the year and dedicate itself to developing and passing meaningful legislation to combat the gun violence epidemic in our schools,” the lawmakers concluded.
The letter was also signed by Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Summer Lee (PA-12), John Mannion (NY-22), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Mark Takano (CA-39), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
Read the full text of the letter here.
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