Courtney Compliments Murphy on Filibuster, Reiterates Call For Gun Legislation

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney on Thursday pledged his full support to the 14-hour filibuster staged by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy that tried to call attention to gun control legislation. 

The filibuster ended shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday. Courtney was one of several Democratic House members who walked out of the chambers Monday after a moment of silence for the Orlando shooting victims. Murphy followed that action with his filibuster.

Courtney said there have been "too many" moments of silence and called for action on proposed legislation that would toughen firearms restrictions on those whose named appear on terror watch lists and those with severe mental illness. 

Courtney made the following speech on the House floor following the conclusion of Murphy's demonstration. 

"President Calvin Coolidge once said ‘nothing in the world can take the place of persistence – talent will not, genius will not, education will not – persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. 

“Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy from the state of Connecticut reminded us of the truth in that statement when for 15 hours he stood on the floor of the United States Senate and refused to yield until he got a commitment from the Republican Leadership of the Senate to hold a vote on a 'no-fly, no-buy' piece of legislation to restrict people on the terror watch list from buying  firearms, and also for a common sense background check reform which allow internet sales and gun  shows sales to be included in the background check system which is supported by 53 percent of NRA households.

“Mr. Speaker, finally at 2:11 am he got a commitment for those votes and I congratulate him, and I am proud of him as a fellow Connecticut citizen for the persistence and the courage he demonstrated to the world yesterday from the floor of the United States Senate, but it is time for us now in the House to do the same. We have tried 12 times in the House to force a vote on these measures which the public is craving by huge majorities, and after the event of this last weekend it is time – for us to listen to Chris Murphy, to follow his example, to thank him for his leadership, and persistence, and courage, and let’s do what the American People are looking for which is ways to protect us from these mass shootings which are far too many, and far too damaging to the people of this country."

Photo Credit: U.S. House of Representatives