Tell McConnell: Pass lifesaving legislation. DGA.

DAVID – Last weekend our nation suffered yet another string of horrific mass shootings.

The majority of Americans want commonsense background checks on gun purchases that will save lives and prevent tragedies. Democratic governors across the country have taken action to expand background checks and keep our communities safe – and the House already passed a universal gun background check bill in February.

But Mitch McConnell is blocking a vote on this bill and refusing to act. He's keeping the Senate in recess until September so we can't make progress on commonsense gun reforms.

Democrats CANNOT sit idly by: We need to demand Mitch McConnell take action and send him a message he CANNOT miss. Right now, we’re asking 15,000 Democrats to condemn Mitch McConnell’s inaction and demand an emergency Senate session to address gun violence IMMEDIATELY:

Will you add your name to demand Mitch McConnell pass lifesaving legislation on the gun violence epidemic? SIGN THE PETITION

Engaged at the state level for gun safety. JENNIFER WEXTON.

David, nearly 10,000 supporters like you spoke out to demand a Senate vote on universal background checks. While we continue our efforts at the federal level, we need to also be engaged in the fight for gun safety laws in the states. And here in Virginia, where Republicans have refused to bring up gun safety legislation, we can take a big step forward in just three months. On November 5, our entire legislature will be up for election. If Democrats win control of the State Senate and the House of Delegates, we can finally bring gun safety legislation to a vote. Control of each chamber is currently a one-vote GOP margin. Our legislative challengers need to step up their field efforts fast in these next few weeks. Jennifer, Please donate to help me aid their efforts: https://go.jenniferwexton.com/flip-va

We are in a battle for the soul of this nation. JOE BIDEN.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  David, When President Trump said after Charlottesville that there were “very fine people  on both sides,” he gave license and safe harbor for hate to white supremacists,  Neo-Nazis and the KKK. Those words stunned the nation and shocked the world. I said at the time that we were in a battle for the soul of this nation. I said it again  when I announced my campaign for president. And I said it again today. We are  in a battle for the soul of this nation. It’s why I’m running for president. Charlottesville was no isolated incident. Trump announced he was running for  president by calling Mexicans “rapists.” Days before the mid-terms, he fomented   fears of a caravan heading to the United States -- creating hysteria -- saying,  “look at what is marching up, that is an invasion…an invasion.” How far is it from Trump’s saying that “is an invasion” to the shooter in El Paso declaring “this attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas”? Not far at all. How far is it from the white supremacists and Neo-Nazis in Charlottesville --  Trump’s “very fine people” -- chanting “You will not replace us” -- to the shooter   at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh saying Jews “were committing  genocide to his people”? Not far at all. In both clear language and in code, this president has fanned the flames of white supremacy in this nation. His low-energy, vacant-eyed mouthing of the words written for him condemning  white supremacists this week fooled no one. He says guns are not the problem in these mass shootings -- that the issue is  mental health. It’s a dodge. Hatred isn’t a mental health issue. We have a problem with a rising tide of white supremacy in America. And what has Trump done? Poured fuel on the fire. He’s more concerned about losing their votes than beating back their hateful  ideology. But look -- I wish I could say this hate began with Donald Trump and will end with  him. It didn’t and it won’t. American history isn’t a fairytale. For 243 years, the battle for the soul of this nation has been a constant push-and- pull between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh reality  that racism has long torn us apart. The same document that promised to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves  and our Posterity” also allowed for slavery and included the so-called “Three-Fifths Compromise” that discounted the very humanity of black people in America. The honest truth is both elements are part of the American character. At our best,  the American ideal wins out. But it’s never a rout. It’s always a fight. And the battle  is never finished. So it’s up to us. We’re living through a rare moment in this nation’s history, where  our president isn’t up to the moment; where our president lacks the moral authority  to lead. We are almost 330 million Americans who have to do what our president can’t. We must stand together. Stand against hate. Stand up for what -- at our best -- this  nation believes. We believe in honesty. Decency. Treating everyone with dignity and  respect. Giving everyone a fair shot. Leaving no one behind. Giving hate no safe  harbor. Demonizing no one -- not the poor, the powerless, the immigrant, the other. What this president doesn’t understand is that, unlike in nearly every other nation on earth, you can’t define an American by religion or ethnicity or tribe. America is an idea. It’s an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. So look, we cannot -- and I will not -- let this man be reelected President of the United States. His incompetence, his amorality, his carnage stops with us --  right here, right now. The core values of this nation…our standing in the world…our very democracy...everything that has made America, America is at stake. Everyone knows who Donald Trump is. We need to show them who we are. We choose hope over fear. Science over fiction. Unity over division. And yes -- truth over lies. If we stand together, we will win the battle for the soul of this nation. We are the United States of America. And there isn’t a single thing we can’t do.  Thank you. And may God protect our troops. Joe DONATE ➞

Re: Mitch McConnell must immediately bring the Senate back in session to pass gun safety legislation. JENNIFER WEXTON.

David, we need you to stand with Jennifer today so we can keep the pressure on Mitch McConnell.

He needs to immediately bring the Senate back in session so that we can finally have a vote on universal background checks for gun purchases.

We need as many signatures as possible to amplify our voices over the gun lobby’s money in this fight.

5,816 people have stepped up. Please add your name now >>

Thank you,

Wexton for Congress

--- Begin Forwarded Message ---

David, yesterday I stood outside NRA headquarters alongside hundreds of fellow Virginians to honor the victims of gun violence this past weekend and demand immediate action.

I had a simple message: The House passed a universal background checks bill months ago. Mitch McConnell has the power to bring it to a vote in the Senate but refuses to do so. He needs to act now to prevent the bloodshed that is happening across our country.

The only way to make him act is for us to apply public pressure like never before. We need to all raise our voices, and not let up.

Will you sign my petition right now to demand that McConnell bring the Senate back in session and allow a vote on universal background checks?

ADD YOUR NAME ➞

Our children are going to ask us where we stood and what we did when our schools, shopping malls, restaurants, and workplaces were being ripped apart by senseless gun violence. For many politicians like Mitch McConnell, the answer is going to be shameful.

There are no excuses to value the gun lobby over the lives of our communities. Thoughts and prayers from the cowards who’ve blocked gun safety legislation won’t cut it this time.

So I need you to stand with me to demand a special Senate session and a vote on universal background checks. Add your name now to make sure that Mitch McConnell hears us.

Thank you,

Jennifer