Top House Democrat says Reopening Schools 'Means a Return to School Shootings'

Republicans and Democrats have been involved in a lengthy verbal battle regarding the opening of schools after their closure back in the spring of 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the country have been closed. However, Republican lawmakers like Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) have introduced legislation to get students back to in-person teaching.

After introducing the Put Students First Act of 2021 earlier this year, and after slamming Teacher’s Unions for not wanting schools to be reopened, it appears that schools could face an even lengthier closing time because lawmakers worry that opening schools will only lead to school shootings.

In an op-ed earlier this year, Senator Rubio criticized unions for the closing of schools, writing that “if a school continues to cave to the unions at the expense of their students, they should not receive funding.” Wanting to reopen schools has received support from Republicans across the United States, but Florida Democrats are now worrying about recent tragic events like school shootings, arguing that reopening schools could potentially lead to fatal shootings that could claim innocent lives.

Taking to social media to share her thoughts, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) warned that “a return to in-person education tragically means a return to school shootings.”

“Deaths from America’s gun violence epidemic is something we can dramatically reduce,” she added, noting that it can’t be done until “the GOP ends its deadly obstruction of popular gun safety measures.”

“Until then, more will needlessly die,” the Florida lawmaker concluded.

This comes after President Joe Biden (D) issued an executive order on gun control, which caused Republicans to criticize the order and push back. The order was issued to curb gun violence, but lawmakers like Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) have called "hypocrisy," commenting that Democrats are "all for guns" when it comes to them wanting to “protect their government office buildings/residences,”and “guard Hollywood award shows and socialites.”