{"articles":[{"id":1189,"title":"U.S. Leaders Respond To Vegas Tragedy - What’s Your Response?","html_content":"

by Causes | 10.2.17

What They Said

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Senators, Representatives, Presidents, Ex-Presidents, Vice Presidents and Presidential hopefuls all offered their condolences in the wake of the shooting in Las Vegas that claimed 58 lives. Some also used the opportunity - or didn’t - to discuss gun legislation.

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President Trump:

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\"My fellow Americans, we are joined together today in sadness, shock, and grief,\" Trump said in his speech from the White House. Trump also thanked the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and first responders “for their courageous efforts.” The President closed his remarks saying he prayed \"the day when evil is banished and the innocent are safe.\"

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Trump has ordered that \"our great flag be flown at half-staff.\"

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Earlier in the morning, Trump tweeted his condolences:

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My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2017\n

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Vice President Mike Pence issued a three-tweet statement:

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To victims, families & loved ones affected by this senseless violence in Las Vegas, Karen & I are praying for you & offering our love...
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 2, 2017\n

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...The hearts & prayers of the American people are with you. You have our condolences and sympathies.
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 2, 2017\n

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...The hearts & prayers of the American people are with you. You have our condolences and sympathies.
— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 2, 2017\n

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First Lady Melania Trump:

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My heart and prayers goes out to victims, families & loved ones! #PrayForLasVegas
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2017\n

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Nevada Democratic Sen. Cortez Masto:

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Praying for all those affected by this senseless tragedy. Thank you to all the first responders. I will continue to monitor the situation.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) October 2, 2017\n

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Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller:

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Senseless, horrifying act of violence in Las Vegas tonight. Praying for all the victims & those impacted by the tragedy.
— Dean Heller (@SenDeanHeller) October 2, 2017\n

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Thankful for police and first-responders on the scene.
— Dean Heller (@SenDeanHeller) October 2, 2017\n

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Nevada republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, after tweeting earlier in the morning about a \"tragic & heinous act of violence,\" has put out a call for blood donations:

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Please find a blood bank near you & donate. Your donation is critical during this time of tragedy in our community. https://t.co/stNvloV6tL
— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) October 2, 2017\n

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While the President did not mention guns in his speech, other politicians did.

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Both of Connecticut’s Senators, who championed gun control after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 that killed 20 children and six teachers, had this to say:

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Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal:

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My heart breaks for Las Vegas - prayers to families and loved ones. The nation's conscience must be galvanized.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) October 2, 2017\n

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Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy:

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Not again. My heart is with Las Vegas this morning. Sending prayers to the victims and their families. #LasVegas
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 2, 2017\n

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Later in the morning, Murphy released a longer statement about the Vegas shooting, calling out Congress for its failure to act on gun legislation.

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\"This must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren't public policy responses to this epidemic. There are, and the thoughts and prayers of politicians are cruelly hollow if they are paired with continued legislative indifference. It's time for Congress to get off its ass and do something.\"
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Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts seemed to share Murphy’s outrage:

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As after #Orlando, I will NOT be joining my colleagues in a moment of silence on the House Floor that just becomes an excuse for inaction.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) October 2, 2017\n

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Hillary Clinton joined the calls for gun legislation, tweeting:

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Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017\n

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Former VP Joe Biden shared similar sentiments:

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How long do we let gun violence tear families apart? Enough. Congress & the WH should act now to save lives. There's no excuse for inaction.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2017\n

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Two former Presidents also offered their condolences--and disbelief at \"another senseless tragedy.\"

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Bill Clinton:

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Thinking of the victims and responders in Las Vegas. This should be unimaginable in America.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) October 2, 2017\n

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Barack Obama:

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Michelle & I are praying for the victims in Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with their families & everyone enduring another senseless tragedy.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 2, 2017\n

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What Would You Say?

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What would your tweet say? Or what did it say? Hit the Take Action button and tell your reps your thoughts, then share them in the comments below.

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—Josh Herman

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Related Reading

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Overnight Carnage: Deadliest Mass Shooting in U.S. History: 50+ Dead, 400+ Wounded

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The Daily Countable: The Post-Massacre Fight Over Guns Has Begun

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(Photo Credit: wsfurlan / iStockphoto)

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