Sandy Hook is in my heart & the families on my mind as the House takes this historic step toward making America safer. Today’s victory is a testament to your advocacy, courage, & strength. The fight continues.
The world is now watching the Senate. My colleagues must muster the conscience & conviction to follow the House’s lead & the will of the 97% of the American people who support background checks.
Connecticut legislators have led the nation by example through passing strong, responsible gun violence prevention measures like today’s #HR8 on background checks. Thanks to our Connecticut policy makers for their model of courage & commitment to ending gun violence.
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Ukraine is at a life or death moment. On my 5th trip to Ukraine—since the start of Russia’s savage, murderous invasion 2 years ago tomorrow—I heard from President Zelenskyy that his lines will break & Putin will conquer his country, unless the U.S. provides arms & ammunition. 1/
The facts on the ground here are starkly, staggeringly clear: With American support, Ukraine can win. Without it, Ukraine is sure to lose. The National Security Supplemental passed by the Senate must be approved by the House for Ukraine to survive, & prevail. 2/
The supplemental provides the tools Ukraine needs most urgently, as Zelenskyy told us—air defense, anti-mine systems, long-range artillery, & more. Without these arms, Putin will dine in Kyiv on his way to the Polish border. 3/
No real time broadcast, no visual record, not a single camera. Having argued 4 SCOTUS cases, & many more in lower courts, closing the courtroom to all cameras is incredible at a time when the Court will be hearing some of the most consequential cases in our history. Here’s why 1/
I’ve found that reading the bench is crucial to understanding the Justices—a view shared virtually universally by SCOTUS advocates. Yet, federal judges have barred any broadcast & visual recordings—not only at SCOTUS, but all federal courts—for outdated & outlandish reasons. 2/
They cite the fear of theatrics by counsel when lawyers think they’re playing to an audience.
But appellate arguments involve no evidence or jury, & state courts long ago squashed this objection when they found few lawyers change their strategy because there are cameras. 3/
The Tuberville holds are taking a totally unacceptable toll. Ask our military men & women, most immediately the U.S. Marine Corps. They deserve support, not disrespect. Here’s why you should care. 1/
Hundreds of military officers are being forced to work multiple high-stress, high-impact jobs because Senator Tuberville has halted progress on these nominations & won’t let the Senate finish the confirmation process. 2/
For example, the combatant command tasked with deterring Iran during the Israel conflict is currently lacking 9 senior officers. 3/
Over the last several days, I have visited Saudi Arabia, Israel, & Egypt. Having met with heads of state in each country, here are some key takeaways from my conversations on the ground. 1/
These world leaders agree, Hamas is a scourge that must be fought & dismantled. We must stand together to deter Iran, who enables & empowers Hamas, & ensure that Iran’s malign proxies don’t expand this conflict. 2/
In Saudi Arabia, we met w/Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman&other officials, including women leaders. During our discussions, I stressed the importance of protecting human rights, the 9/11 families’ claims&my requests for information about efforts to exert influence in the US. 3/
One of the consequences of OPEC+’s oil supply cut must be a temporary halt in U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia in defense of our national, security, & economic interests. I joined @RepRoKhanna to highlight our bicameral measure that would take this critical step. 1/
The only apparent purpose of this cut in oil supplies is to help the Russians & harm the United States. There are serious security concerns. The Saudis’ actions aid & abet a murderous, brutal, criminal invasion by Russia & threaten higher gas prices at the pump. 2/
More than just oil is at stake. Saudi Arabia has a prodigious pattern of human rights abuses—butchering journalists, fostering civil war in Yemen, the list goes on. 3/
Saudis siding with Russia—a deeply offensive blunder. Unconscionable at this moment in world history. There must be consequences. nytimes.com/2022/10/05/bus…
There was no immediate need for the Saudis to push to reduce supply unless they were seeking to harm the U.S. to the benefit of Russia.
Significantly diminishing oil prices reflect Congress & President Biden’s fighting inflation. OPEC+ creating instability in the global supply of energy threatens this progress. This move will fuel global inflation, raise U.S. gas prices, & provide Russia with windfall profits.