Dear John,

I wanted to send you a note about the heartbreaking events in Uvalde, Texas.

For all of us in Connecticut, it’s a stomach-turning reminder of the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012. It was infuriating to watch parents in Texas going through the same anguish that our own neighbors in Newtown felt a decade ago.

As Americans, whether we hail from New England or Uvalde, Texas, we must unite to protect innocent children. As adults and parents, that is our number one job.

I was proud to work alongside my colleagues in the House to pass legislation that would implement universal background checks and raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21. But I am frustrated with Senate Republicans who act as a bottleneck and hide behind the filibuster and a message of deflection and confusion to avoid doing what an overwhelming majority of the public wants.

It’s time to take action. For the students of Sandy Hook and those in Uvalde, and for victims of gun violence across this country. I promise that during my time in Congress, I will never stop fighting to pass the common-sense gun legislation that Americans are demanding and so desperately need.

Respectfully,