Michigan Democrats are Blocking a Crucial School Safety Package on Political Grounds: 'Where has all that urgency gone?'
Rep. Bryan Posthumus is raising a critical point from Lansing today as the partisan stalemate in the now evenly divided Michigan House of Representatives has begun to impact a crucial piece of public safety legislation.
"Republicans took the lead on a truly bi-partisan package that will address the root cause of gun violence," Posthumus said. "We are prepared to be laser focused on mental health and arm school resource officers for every public school in Michigan, but the Democratic leadership currently will not move it forward. They were chomping at the bit to pass extreme gun control measures, but have no desire to address the real problem. Well, where has all that urgency gone now that we have a bipartisan solution in place to provide actual physical security and sorely needed help for these kids?"
Posthumus' position comes as pressure continues to mount on Speaker Joe Tate to advance the bipartisan bills.
"These are the most effective and bi-partisan bills this chamber has put forward to address the issue," Posthumus said. "but Democrat leadership seems to think that anything other than gun bans distracts from their key messaging points - ban guns, regulate metal and plastic, punish law-abiding citizens. This issue is far too important to drag our feet, and addressing the root cause is more important than rhetoric. Bullets move far too quickly for us to move this slow.
The package still has not been advanced by House Democrats and remains in legislative limbo in Lansing.