WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio:
“In the span of less than 24 hours, two communities have been ravaged by the scourge of gun violence. It has never been clearer that Congress needs to take urgent action to end this preventable epidemic.
“In New Mexico, El Paso is like a sibling — a community where many New Mexicans have family, friends, loved ones. This tragedy hits particularly close to home—and it has struck a beautiful community, a community that shows us every day that our diversity and immigrant heritage make us strong. This act of sheer evil is even more disturbing given the reports of the hate-filled, anti-immigrant motive behind it. In addition to a gun violence crisis, this nation is grappling with an uprising of hate, bigotry, and white supremacy. It is incumbent upon all leaders to identify and denounce this ugly current in our society. And the apparent surge in white nationalist violent terrorism demands the full attention of the federal government.
“The American people are sick and tired of the inaction from their elected officials. President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Republican leaders must stop standing in the way of the common sense gun violence prevention measures that have wide public support. Congress must enact these reforms — before another community is torn apart by this senseless violence.”
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