Rep. Meeks Reacts to Pres. Obama’s Press Conference on Orlando, Gun Violence, and National Security
Rep. Meeks Reacts to Pres. Obama’s Press Conference on Orlando, Gun Violence, and National Security
Washington, D.C.—Following President Barack Obama's press conference, Senior Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, issued the statement below:
"Once again, President Obama demonstrated leadership, empathy, a resolve to strengthen national security, and a keen understanding of the world. In the press conference following his National Security Council meeting, President Obama made clear that America stands in solidarity with Orlando and the LGBT community. What occurred Sunday morning was a terrorist act and hate crime perpetrated by a person filled with hate.
"Most Americans understand that as a nation strengthened by immigrants, to issue a blanket ban on the immigration of all Muslims is offensive and deeply un-American. We are not at war with a religion; we are at war with terrorist groups that use religion to justify their horrific acts.
"Most Americans support common-sense efforts to reduce gun violence. It is mind-boggling that the GOP has voted against a bill to disallow suspected terrorists on the No-Fly List from buying a gun, not once, but eleven times. With this Republican logic and at the NRA’s urging, these suspected terrorists can buy an assault rifle but not a plane ticket. Leadership demands that we fix this loophole, for the safety of the American people.
"We must resolve to make America safer, not by excluding certain groups, but by enacting common-sense gun reforms. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join me in this fight and I encourage them to do so. As a nation, we’re stronger when we work together."
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