U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) has unveiled a bipartisan proposal aimed at supporting policymakers in their efforts to improve protections for the wellbeing of the nation’s children.
The Securing our Children Act of 2018, H.R. 5380, introduced by Rep. Katko on March 22 with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), would establish a federal commission to recommend how lawmakers should properly handle issues related to ensuring that the nation’s children are safe and more secure.
“As a father, I was heartbroken by the senseless shooting that occurred last month in Parkland, Florida,” said Rep. Katko, referring to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where a teenager used a semi-automatic weapon to kill 17 people and injure 17 others.
“I recognize that Congress must take action. However, as is too often the case in Washington, this debate has created a bitter partisan battle instead of sparking a productive debate,” Katko said. “Despite this divide, I am confident there are areas in which we can find consensus — but doing so will require having conversations that make both sides of the aisle uncomfortable.”
If enacted, H.R. 5380 would form a federal commission that would examine specific topic areas, according to information provided by Katko’s office, such as the potential link between mental illness and random acts of violence, accessibility to firearms for those with histories of violence, the state of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and safety policies that exist on school campuses.
Additionally, H.R. 5380 would call on the president and bipartisan members of Congress to appoint members to the commission, which then would have a year to issue a report on its findings to the president and Congress.
Rep. Katko pointed out that while gun violence has decreased nationwide, the number of mass shootings continues rising. “The bipartisan legislation I have introduced with Rep. Cuellar would bring together individuals and groups from across the political spectrum to examine this challenge, and, I’m hopeful will yield productive results,” he said.
Rep. Cuellar agreed that recent shootings around the country demonstrate the need for “additional safety protocols” to prevent future tragedies. “That is why Rep. Katko and I have introduced this important piece of legislation,” Cuellar added. “I look forward to working together with Rep. Katko and other members of Congress in a bipartisan manner on these important issues.”
H.R. 5380 has been referred to both the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.