The massacre in Orlando has reignited an impassioned debate in Congress on gun violence and terrorism in the U.S. and what additional measures can be taken to prevent or possibly minimize the lethality of future attacks.

After a 14-hour filibuster by Rep. Christopher Murphy of Connecticut — with support from colleagues including Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin — the Senate Democratic and Republican leadership agreed to allow votes next week on two proposals. The first would prevent suspected terrorists on the national watch list from purchasing firearms, and the other would expand background checks at gun shows and for online sales.

“Common sense dictates that we as a Congress listen to the pleas across America to stop this gun violence,” Durbin said. “What happened in Orlando was heartbreaking.”

Chicago’s Jewish Community Relations Council has a long-standing gun safety policy , which its 40 constituent organizations overwhelmingly approved in 1999. Included in this policy are calls for background checks and bans on automatic assault weapons.

“Gun violence continues to plague our society, from Orlando to the streets of Chicago, in devastating ways” said JCRC Chair David T. Brown, “We urge Congress to take concrete steps to implementing common sense reforms that could save countless lives.”

JCRC encourages you to find and contact your elected representatives .