Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released this statement following the news of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida:

"As a parent and grandparent, I am grieving today for the 17 families who lost loved ones in this tragedy and for the survivors who will be forever haunted by what they lived through. I’m ashamed to be in a Congress that continues to sit on its hands while these tragedies and our constituents demand swift action. It’s not for lack of trying on the part of Democrats, who have offered sensible legislation to stem the flow of weapons into the hands of those who would use them to slaughter members of our communities. We’ve done everything we can—even holding a 24-hour protest on the House floor—to try to get through the deaf ears of Republican leaders. 

In Sandy Hook, Aurora, Orlando, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Parkland, and too many more, the common denominator has been firearms that allow shooters to kill swiftly, easily, and with no special training. There’s no one solution to stopping mass shooting and other forms of gun violence in America—but strengthening background checks and restricting the sales of the most violent weapons and their accessories represent the lowest of the low-hanging fruit. I’m saying it now and I will continue saying it until we take action.”

In the 115th Congress,  Pingree has cosponsored the following bills to prevent gun violence: 

• H.R. 1478, the Gun Violence Research Act 
• H.R. 4052, Keep Americans Safe Act
• H.R. 3947, Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act
• H.R. 1612, Closing the Gun Show Loophole
• H.R. 1475, Gun Trafficking Prevention Act
• H.R. 4240, Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2017

Despite public outcry and protests by House Democrats, Republican leadership has not scheduled a vote on any of these bills.