“In 24 hours, our country lost 29 lives in El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH to mass shootings. Every day in America, whether by murder, accident, or suicide, lives are lost and families are shattered by senseless violence that is made deadlier through easy access to guns.

“Too often, this violence is fueled by the deliberate proliferation of hate. The rise of white supremacist terrorism cannot be divorced from the language and policies of hate and division that are championed by this White House. Almost daily, we are told by our President to fear one another on the basis of race, ethnicity, and religion. All the while, his administration cuts funding for programs working to counter violent extremism, including among white supremacists. 

“At the same time, the President and the GOP are blocking even the most basic efforts to reduce gun violence. Months ago, the House of Representatives passed common sense bills to improve background checks and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. But Mitch McConnell won’t even allow the Senate to vote.

“Our most basic job as elected representatives is to keep our constituents safe. By fueling hate and division, and obstructing efforts to reduce violence, the President and Mitch McConnell are betraying their duty to the American people.”

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