(Houston, TX) – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) joined Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-07) and 46 members of Congress to call on House and Senate leadership to take immediate action to address the rising threat posed by white supremacist terrorism.

“In the wake of the El Paso shootings, it is clear that terrorists motivated by a common white supremacist ideology are committing deadly attacks against African-American, Jewish, Muslim, Hispanic and other non-white communities in the United States and around the world, and that they pose a clear and present danger to our national security. There is legislation pending in the House and Senate, much of which should have bipartisan support, that would strengthen our government’s ability to confront domestic terrorism, while making it harder for terrorists to purchase guns. We should not wait until the district work period ends on September 9 to take action that will protect the American people,” the members wrote.

In 2019, the 116th Congress passed legislation on gun safety that has yet to be brought up for a vote in the senate: H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019.

“It is important that we work together to address the many issues raised—again—by the tragic events in El Paso and Dayton. These are matters of our safety as well as our national conscience.” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.

"White supremacist terrorism is a clear and present danger to our security and should be taken as seriously as threats from foreign-based terrorist groups. It’s time for the Senate to move on the gun bills the House has already passed and both houses should adopt legislation to bolster our government’s response to domestic terrorism. This work must begin now,” said leader of the letter Congressman Tom Malinowski.

Congresswoman Fletcher co-sponsored H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, which establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties and voted to pass H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, which extends the background check review period from three to ten days. Both bills passed with bipartisan support in the House.

Read the letter here.