Higgins announces House Oversight Committee hearing on Buffalo & Uvalde mass shootings

Witnesses from Buffalo to testify

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing on gun violence following recent deadly mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney released details about the hearing, which will be held on 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8.

“Congress needs to listen to communities that know the pain that comes with these tragedies and act swiftly to stop the endless parade of mass shootings,” Higgins said. “We are grateful that the committee is giving Buffalo a voice to help convey the impact and discuss potential solutions.”

Western New York witnesses for the hearing include City of Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia; and Zeneta Everhart, the mother of Buffalo shooting victim Zaire Goodman, a Tops employee who suffered a near-life-ending gunshot injury during the attack.

The hearing will include two panels of witnesses. Along with Everhart, the first panel will include Dr. Roy Guerrero, Uvalde pediatrician; Felix Rubio and Kimberly Rubio, parents of Lexi Rubio, a Uvalde victim; and Miah Cerrillo, a fourth-grade student at Robb Elementary School.

In addition to Gramaglia, panel two will include Greg Jackson Jr., executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund; Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association; and Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy for Everytown for Gun Safety.

Higgins will also participate in the hearing and has been working closely with the committee on the planning for the meeting. He is among the members of the House issuing a letter calling for swift action on gun violence legislation.

Separately, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing of its own on Thursday to mark-up a package of bills addressing gun violence. The full House is then expected to vote on those measures during session the week of June 6.