Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerOvernight Health Care — Presented by Johnson & Johnson — Democrats call on Supreme Court to block Louisiana abortion law | Michigan governor seeks to pause Medicaid work requirements | New front in fight over Medicaid block grants House, Senate Democrats call on Supreme Court to block Louisiana abortion law Why a second Trump term and a Democratic Congress could be a nightmare scenario for the GOP MORE (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiHouse Judiciary Committee formally receives impeachment report Overnight Energy: Pelosi vows bold action to counter 'existential' climate threat | Trump jokes new light bulbs don't make him look as good | 'Forever chemicals' measure pulled from defense bill Overnight Health Care — Presented by Johnson & Johnson – House progressives may try to block vote on Pelosi drug bill | McConnell, Grassley at odds over Trump-backed drug pricing bill | Lawmakers close to deal on surprise medical bills MORE (D-Calif.) called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOvernight Energy: Pelosi vows bold action to counter 'existential' climate threat | Trump jokes new light bulbs don't make him look as good | 'Forever chemicals' measure pulled from defense bill Overnight Health Care — Presented by Johnson & Johnson – House progressives may try to block vote on Pelosi drug bill | McConnell, Grassley at odds over Trump-backed drug pricing bill | Lawmakers close to deal on surprise medical bills GOP senators request interview with former DNC contractor to probe possible Ukraine ties MORE (R-Ky.) to take up legislation that would expand background checks on gun purchases following a shooting Saturday in Texas in which five people were killed.
Schumer tweeted that the Senate should take up H.R. 8 in response to the shooting, which would expand background checks to gun purchases between private individuals and require a licensed firearm dealer take possession of the weapon during the process.
"Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, & everyone injured in the shooting in Odessa & Midland, TX. Thank you to the first responders who risked their lives to stop the threat. @senatemajldr should bring up H.R. 8 the week Congress returns. We must #endgunviolence," the top Senate Democrat wrote.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, & everyone injured in the shooting in Odessa & Midland, TX.
— Chuck Schumer
Thank you to the first responders who risked their lives to stop the threat.@senatemajldr should bring up H.R. 8 the week Congress returns. We must #endgunviolence.
Pelosi added in her own tweet that it was time for McConnell to end Senate GOP "obstruction."
"Enough is enough. Every day, the gun violence epidemic inflicts a devastating toll in communities across America, this time in West Texas. The @SenateGOP must end its obstruction & finally pass House-approved legislation to #EndGunViolence," she tweeted.
Enough is enough. Every day, the gun violence epidemic inflicts a devastating toll in communities across America, this time
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 1, 2019
in West Texas. The @SenateGOP must end its obstruction & finally pass House-approved legislation to #EndGunViolence. https://t.co/RcoVI6Eebm
Schumer's remarks followed a shooting in Midland and Odessa, Texas, where an unidentified gunman reportedly opened fire at a traffic stop and later at a movie theater, injuring 21 people and killing five before being killed by police.
At least two law enforcement officials were injured in the shooting and a 17-month-old infant was reportedly among those injured.
Many Democrats including some top 2020 candidates responded to the shooting Saturday with statements calling on Congress to act on gun violence.
Updated at 10:40 p.m.
