Giffords Releases New Ad Highlighting Speaker Ryan’s Failed Leadership on Protecting Americans from the Gun Violence Crisis
March 13, 2018— Today, Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, launched a new digital ad highlighting Speaker Paul Ryan’s failed leadership on protecting Americans from the gun violence crisis. The ad, which will reach voters in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District and around the country, highlights Ryan’s ties to the gun lobby and his refusal to bring a single gun safety bill to the House floor for a vote, or even a debate.
Peter Ambler, Giffords Executive Director:
“In the aftermath of the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Americans are furious at politicians who have failed at one of our fundamental moral responsibilities — keeping our kids safe. Paul Ryan is the personification of that failure. As Speaker, he presided over Congress while our nation experienced five of the deadliest mass shootings in modern history and watched as the gun death rate in Americans spiked to a level not seen in decades. Yet Paul Ryan has refused to allow even a single vote on legislation to improve our gun laws. Tragedy after tragedy, Speaker Ryan holds moments of silence and offers ‘thoughts and prayers,’ but refuses to take any meaningful action to prevent the next one from occurring. Instead, he cashes checks from the NRA and promotes their political agenda in Congress, prioritizing the interests of the gun industry over public safety. It’s said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. If Paul Ryan won’t stand up for the safety of our children, we must elect someone who will.”
As Speaker, Paul Ryan determines which bills are brought to the floor for a vote, making him uniquely responsible for Congress’ inaction on addressing gun violence. Five of the ten deadliest shootings in US history have occurred during Paul Ryan’s tenure as speaker. During that time, he’s repeatedly blocked consideration in the House of any policies that could help reduce gun violence.
In the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in which 49 people were killed and 58 others were wounded House Democrats staged a sit to call attention to House leadership inaction on the issue and demand a vote on legislation that could help prevent future tragedies.
Just two weeks ago Giffords launched the start of a political program for 2018 that included Speaker Ryan as one of the initial six on a #VoteThemOut list that will focus on incumbents in priority districts by shining a light on their record of prioritizing the interests of the gun industry over public safety, and encourage voters to support candidates with the courage to stand up to the gun lobby.
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Giffords PAC works to reduce gun violence and save lives by empowering voters with information and supporting candidates who will fight for a safer future.