Dual agendas on gun violence

There are two rival plans in Congress to address our nation's gun violence epidemic.

Well, technically. There's one plan of action and one plan of inaction.

Democrats' common sense plan:

• Pass universal background checks on all firearm sales.
• Hold gun manufacturers accountable for ignoring their duty to act with reasonable care for public safety.
• Lift the ban on federally-funded research into solving the gun violence epidemic.

Mitch McConnell's plan:

• Take the NRA's campaign donations.
• "Thoughts and prayers" after each new mass shooting.
• Repeat.

To date, Mitch McConnell and Congressional Republicans have been putting their money where their mouths are (or, more accurately, taking money): by raking in NRA campaign contributions and refusing to take action on gun violence, their agenda and investment in inaction is all too clear.

You've heard it from me. You've heard it from Democrats across America. And you've heard it your friends and neighbors: The Senate must step up and take action on gun violence.

Time's up, Mitch. The Senate's fall session begins next week, and we're ready to get to work, even if you're not.

Ron