New York, N.Y. –Today, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement on the devastating mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio: 

"I am deeply saddened by the most recent mass shootings – coming less than 24 hours apart – and I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families in El Paso and Dayton. I would also like to thank the first responders – the police officers, emergency medical personnel, and doctors – whose dedication without a doubt saved lives.         

"I am anguished over reports that the shooting suspect in El Paso posted a manifesto that included rants about a "Hispanic invasion" before the attack.  This manifesto appears to echo the same anti-immigrant sentiment that permeates the language espoused by President Trump. Ultimately it is the perpetrators who bear responsibility for their heinous acts of domestic terrorism, but President Trump’s racist rhetoric has stoked the flames of hate and white supremacy, and increased the likelihood that people will commit mass murder based on these evil notions. The President must stop his racist rhetoric that has the effect of encouraging mass murder. 

"This is now the 250^th mass shooting this year. Words in the face of these tragedies are never enough. I have long supported a federal ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. The House Judiciary Committee, which I lead, and the full House has already passed legislation to require universal background checks and close the Charleston loophole. It is time for the Senate and President Trump to act on these and other measures to prevent the gun violence plaguing our nation."

New York, N.Y. –Today, House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement on the devastating mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio: 

"I am deeply saddened by the most recent mass shootings – coming less than 24 hours apart – and I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families in El Paso and Dayton. I would also like to thank the first responders – the police officers, emergency medical personnel, and doctors – whose dedication without a doubt saved lives.         

"I am anguished over reports that the shooting suspect in El Paso posted a manifesto that included rants about a "Hispanic invasion" before the attack.  This manifesto appears to echo the same anti-immigrant sentiment that permeates the language espoused by President Trump. Ultimately it is the perpetrators who bear responsibility for their heinous acts of domestic terrorism, but President Trump’s racist rhetoric has stoked the flames of hate and white supremacy, and increased the likelihood that people will commit mass murder based on these evil notions. The President must stop his racist rhetoric that has the effect of encouraging mass murder. 

"This is now the 250^th mass shooting this year. Words in the face of these tragedies are never enough. I have long supported a federal ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. The House Judiciary Committee, which I lead, and the full House has already passed legislation to require universal background checks and close the Charleston loophole. It is time for the Senate and President Trump to act on these and other measures to prevent the gun violence plaguing our nation."