President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Monday morning, calling for action on mental health treatment over new gun control measures as the nation mourned mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, that claimed 31 lives and left many more wounded.
In televised remarks, Trump — who has set a divisive tone in his nearly three years in office by speaking scornfully of migrants and people of color, and by seemingly encouraging white nationalists — said the nation had to speak with “one voice … to condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy.”
“Hatred warps the mind, ravages the heart, and devours the soul,” Trump said.
It didn’t take long before members of Pennsylvania’s delegation to Capitol Hill weighed in with their views. Here is what every member of Congress from Pennsylvania had to say about Trump’s remarks and the weekend’s mass shootings.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.:
Today, President Trump should address the nation to condemn white nationalism and pledge an all of government effort to confront white nationalist terrorism.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) August 4, 2019
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa:
I also agree with Senator Lindsey Graham that we should pass a bipartisan “red flag” measure that enables families and law enforcement to obtain a court order to keep guns away from dangerous individuals."
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District:
It is time to put aside differences and change our laws and policies to address these threats and prevent these horrific acts from occurring. Hate in all of its forms must end.
— Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-2nd District:
White nationalist terrorism is a threat in America today just as jihadist terrorism was for much of this century. White nationalism must be condemned and defeated.
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3rd District:
Philadelphia.
Gilroy.
El Paso.
Dayton.
The Senate has a duty to act on the 2 House-passed gun reform bills that would save lives.Elections have consequences.
— Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District:
It’s the confluence of two different, terrible, deadly rivers.
One white nationalism, and the other the extraordinary availability of weapons of war, weapons of terrorism on the streets of our country, killing tens of thousands of people each year. https://t.co/IYNQfRKeZJ
— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District:
It’s been 158 days since the House sent common sense gun safety legislation to the Senate. Do your job! #EnoughIsEnough
— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District:
Call your representatives and demand consideration. Call your state representatives and demand action. It is past time that we all move to keep our citizens and communities safe. Our hearts are with the people of El Paso and Dayton. We must act.
— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District:
My heart is with our many grieving communities today.
This is an epidemic. It’s time for all of us to step up and protect our communities. We cannot continue waking up to these massacres and offering thoughts and prayers. It’s long past time for laws and change. https://t.co/KnjspHFzgT
— Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8th District: To be updated
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9th District: To be updated
U.S. Scott Perry, R-10th District:
God bless the victims and their loved ones of these senseless acts of violence and cowardice. #Dayton #ElPaso #Gilroy
— RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-11th District: To be updated
U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-12th District:
U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-13th District: To be updated
U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th District: To be updated
U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R15th District:
What happened in Texas and Ohio this weekend is a senseless, gut-wrenching tragedy. Innocent lives lost, including @SaintFrancisPA grad student, Nicholas Cumer. Extending my deepest sympathies to the grieving families and sincerest gratitude to @EPPOLICE and @DaytonPolice.
— Glenn 'GT' Thompson (@CongressmanGT) August 5, 2019
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th District:
Americans across our country are grieving with the families and loved ones of those killed this weekend in El Paso and Dayton. I am praying for the recovery of injured survivors and for an end to these senseless and tragic acts of violence.
— Rep. Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyPA) August 4, 2019
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th District:
U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-18th District:
My heart goes out to Dayton and El Paso. Thoughts and prayers are once again offered, but nothing else. One of these horrific acts a day was bad enough; how much worse will it have to get before we act? pic.twitter.com/TmQcbuOMi2
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) August 4, 2019
This story has been updated to reflect a rising death toll.
