Selected Legislative Comments on Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton
Rep. Hayes: Our Country Has A Gun Violence Problem And A White Nationalism Problem. These Problems Are Inextricably Linked. August 5, 2019
In the wake of the recent mass shootings at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California, Cielo Vista mall in El Paso, Texas, and in Dayton, Ohio, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement on gun violence and white nationalism in America:
“Over the past few days, three cities in the United States have become the latest victims of America’s gun violence epidemic. Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton are in very different parts of the country. But, today, they share the same tragic fate of having to make sense of an entirely senseless act, while grieving for those who will never return home.”
“These cities have been added to an ever-growing monument to inaction. When we lost 26 members of our own community, we hoped we would be the last ones to carry this terrible burden. Unfortunately, that has been far from the case.”
“Let us call these recent shootings what they are: acts of white nationalism, fueled by an increase in racist and xenophobic rhetoric.”
“The problem of gun violence and the problem of white nationalism are inextricably linked, and these tragedies will continue until we put an end to both.”
In the 217 days this year, there have been more than 33,000 shooting incidents in the United States of America, resulting in almost 10,000 deaths and nearly 20,000 injuries. Included in that number are the three murdered in Gilroy, 20 killed in El Paso, and nine dead in Dayton.
FBI Statement Regarding Shootings in El Paso and Dayton August 4, 2019
The attack in El Paso, Texas, underscores the continued threat posed by domestic violent extremists and perpetrators of hate crimes. The FBI is supporting its state and local partners in Texas through investigative, intelligence, and technical assistance. The El Paso investigation is also being supported by the FBI’s Domestic Terrorism-Hate Crimes Fusion Cell, which was established in spring 2019. Composed of subject matter experts from both the Criminal Investigative and Counterterrorism Divisions, the fusion cell offers program coordination from FBI Headquarters, helps ensure seamless information sharing across divisions, and augments investigative resources.
The FBI is also providing assistance to the Dayton (Ohio) Police Department’s investigation into the shooting in Dayton, through the Bureau’s Cincinnati Field Office, with support from FBI Headquarters personnel.
“On behalf of the FBI, I offer sincere condolences to the victims, families, and communities affected by this weekend’s violence, and we stand by them during this difficult time. We will bring the full resources of the FBI to bear in the pursuit of justice for the victims of these crimes.” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “I am proud of our state and local law enforcement partners and the immediate response of FBI agents, analysts, and professional staff, working in close coordination to assist them. I have been in contact with the president and the attorney general, and they both have expressed their support for the FBI’s work in the wake of these tragedies.”
The FBI remains concerned that U.S.-based domestic violent extremists could become inspired by these and previous high-profile attacks to engage in similar acts of violence. The FBI asks the American public to report to law enforcement any suspicious activity that is observed either in person or online.
Shootings in El Paso, Dayton
August 5, 2019, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer released the following statement after President Trump delivered remarks on the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton:
“In February, the new Democratic House Majority promptly did its duty and passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, which is supported by more than 90 percent of the American people and proven to save lives.
“However, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has called himself the ‘grim reaper’ and refuses to act on this bipartisan legislation. It is incumbent upon the Senate to come back into session to pass this legislation immediately.
“It took less than three hours for the President to back off his call for stronger background check legislation. When he can’t talk about guns when he talks about gun violence, it shows the President remains prisoner to the gun lobby and the NRA.
“The public must weigh in and demand passage of this legislation for the safety of our children.”
August 05, 2019 Udall Responds to President Trump’s Comments on El Paso, Dayton Shootings Rejects offensive link between gun safety bills and Trump immigration agenda; calls on Republican leadership to allow the Senate to vote urgently on common-sense gun violence prevention measures
U.S. Senator Tom Udall responded to President Trump’s comments in the wake of the El Paso and Dayton shootings. Earlier today, President Trump tweeted that congressional action on gun violence should be paired with action on the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. Udall issued the following statement:
“In the wake of an act of anti-immigrant, white supremacist terror, President Trump is now proposing that any action to prevent gun violence should be paired with restrictions on immigration. The president’s suggestion is offensive, and it validates and fuels the same kind of anti-immigrant bigotry that was behind the evil El Paso attack. Insisting that sensible gun safety measures be paired with the president’s anti-immigrant agenda is tantamount to giving into the hateful ideology that motivated this terrorist attack – that immigrants are somehow to blame for this white supremacist violence.
“The president’s proposal to link action on gun violence with his toxic immigration wish-list, is likely nothing more than an attempt to ensure that Congress continues to do nothing on guns. But the American people cannot afford more inaction. Senate Majority Leader McConnell has had months to act on the bills passed by the House to expand background checks, address gun violence, and save lives. How many more tragedies will it take before Republican leadership stops standing in the way of action to address this epidemic?”
A Sickness in Our Nation August 5, 2019
Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton:
"There is a growing sickness in our nation. Our religious and community institutions — the very glue that holds us together — are declining as a central force in American society, while the politicization of every aspect of our lives is on the rise. These shooters turned to hatred and violence, and as a result, dozens of Americans are dead.
"These events should be classified as domestic terrorism, and I’m glad that in the case of El Paso, the FBI is treating it as such. We must better equip our law enforcement agencies to prevent these massacres before they happen. There is clearly a culture of death in America today. Violence is glorified and normalized on our screens every day. Instead of seeking professional help for mental health problems, men are being radicalized in online forums. This must stop.
"In a media culture that encourages viewing people solely through hyper-partisan lenses, and not as neighbors and fellow citizens, dangerous division and hatred of those you disagree with is the outcome. This can often lead to violent consequences, as I have personally experienced.
"These events are tragedies. Reducing them to talking points and name-calling in support of narrow political agendas only further divides our country.
"Jennifer and I pray for the people of El Paso and Dayton. May God help us and heal this great nation."
Todd Spangler August 5, 2019 Michigan Republicans largely silent on specific gun control changes after El Paso, Dayton shootings
In the wake of deadly shootings in Texas and Ohio over the weekend, Michigan's Democratic members of Congress called on a Republican-led Senate to pass legislation tightening background checks for firearm purchases.
Republicans, on the other hand, were largely silent on any specific policy changes involving guns. U.S. Reps. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township; Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly; Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills and Dingell have all called for the Senate to take action while also calling for steps to address what Stevens called "white nationalist extremism."
Schumer Statement On Recent Shootings In Dayton, Ohio And El Paso, Texas August 4, 2019
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today released the following statement on recent shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas:
“One awful event after another. Leader McConnell must call the Senate back for an emergency session to put the House-passed universal background checks legislation on the Senate floor for debate and a vote immediately.
“When President Trump spends more time and energy denouncing Rep. Elijah Cummings and Baltimore than he does denouncing right-wing extremists who often traffic in hate and white nationalism, it shows his priorities are un-American and way off balance.”