The family of Layla Salazar, including her father, Vincent Salazar III, at the top right, visit the monument in front of Robb Elementary School. (Photo by Sarah L. Voisin / Washington Post via Getty Images)
Sarah L Voisin | Washington Post | Getty Images
Washington — Survivors and parents of victims Uvalde And Buffalo The firing will testify before the House Oversight Committee next week as Democrats seek to uncover the human toll of those other Mass murders across the countryThe committee told NBC News.
Wednesday’s hearing, which the committee is announcing on Friday, will include testimony from Janetta Everhart, who had a son, Zaire Goodman. shot injured In a top supermarket in Buffalo, as well as from Uvalde’s only Pediatrician, Roy Guerreroand Felix and Kimberly Rubio, whose daughter Lexi He was killed in the city’s Rob Elementary School. Mia Cerillo, fourth grader who covered himself in the blood of a slain classmate and played dead to surviveWill also share her story with MPs. His testimony will be personal or virtual.
Oversight chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D.N.Y., said she hopes the hearing will “turn anger into action” and that “all my colleagues will listen with an open heart as gun violence survivors and loved ones go through one of their darkest days.” Remembered to. Lives. This hearing is ultimately about saving lives, and I hope it will inspire my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation to do the same.”
This hearing comes as lawmakers in both houses of Congress work on legislation aimed at preventing more gun massacres. The House is expected to vote next week on a package of gun violence prevention measures, including provisions that would create new federal offenses for gun smuggling and “purchasing straw” and for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 Will increase the legal age. The law would also provide incentives for states to pass red flag laws, which would allow authorities to confiscate guns from people at risk to themselves or others.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators continues talks on the issue. is one in the group The “framework” for the lawA source previously told NBC News, and the school is discussing issues such as safety, mental health, background checks, and red flag laws, but public details are few.
President Joe Biden said In an address Thursday night that he supports the group’s efforts. “But my god — the fact that the majority of Senate Republicans don’t want any of these proposals to be debated or put up for vote, I find it unconscionable,” he said.
Biden also called on Congress to restore the ban on so-called assault weapons like the AR-15 and ban high-capacity magazines, saying that if those measures can’t go ahead, lawmakers will have to buy them. Age should be increased from 18 to 21.
Chris Murphy, D-Conn., one of the key negotiators on the Senate package, said Friday, “I just want to reassure my friends that as long as I’m willing to compromise, I’m not willing to do something like that. Not going to be impressive.”
Democrats will face an uphill battle to pass any legislation in an equally divided Senate, however, as 10 Republicans will need to join forces in support of the legislation to stave off a GOP filibuster.