Minnesota Lawmakers Shooting

Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, over the weekend, while most of the country slept, a gunman targeted two Minnesota State legislators in their homes. He pretended to be a police officer, and he gunned down Democratic State legislator John Hoffman and his wife. Fortunately, they survived and are recovering from surgery and reportedly in stable condition. We pray for State Senator Hoffman and his wife's full recovery.

Then the gunman attacked another Democratic State legislator with over 20 years of service, Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark. She and her husband leave behind two children.

These killings are not only horrifying for Minnesota but a tragedy for America. This heinous act of political violence defies American values and democracy.

Unfortunately, we have seen a disturbing increase in political violence in recent years, seemingly, as part of a misguided and sickening attempt to strike fear and intimidation in the hearts of the American people and those who engage in public service.

Violence and hate have no place in America. Leaders on both sides of the aisle must speak out and condemn these violent acts. I have said this repeatedly, but it bears repeating: Political violence from the right or the left is never--never--acceptable. It is never the answer.

We must condemn these violent acts when they happen. We also must speak out against the radical language we see online and even language coming from our colleagues.

One Member of this body tweeted a picture of the Minnesota shooter and wrote:

This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way.

He tweeted another picture of the shooter and wrote:

Nightmare on Waltz Street.

Apparently, it was an attempt to blame Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for the shooting.

Another one of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle tweeted about the shooting:

The degree to which the extreme left has become radical, violent, and intolerant is stunning and terrifying.

To attempt to politicalize this tragedy is absolutely unacceptable. This rhetoric from elected officials is beyond dangerous and incites even more violence. It is reprehensible, and it must be called out on both sides of the aisle--both sides of the aisle--because in the land of the free and the home of the brave, everyone should feel safe expressing their political views, and we must never do so in a way that condones violence or intimidation.

I pray for Minnesota during this heartbreaking time and vow to continue to denounce and combat political violence of any kind.

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