President Biden said Wednesday that he and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Texas “in the coming days” to do all they can to comfort the community devastated by the murder of 19 young students.
The president, addressing the shooting in formal statements for the second time since a day earlier, reiterated the need for “common sense” arms reform measures and urged the Senate to confirm his candidacy for office. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The president made the remarks during an event focused on signing an executive order to improve police accountability.
“Since I spoke last night, the confirmed death toll has risen tragically, including another teacher and two more, three more students,” the president said. “Jill and I will be traveling to Texas in the next few days to meet with the families and let them know that we have a feeling, just a sense of their pain. And hopefully, bring some comfort to the community in “Shock and pain, and trauma. As a nation, I think we should all be there for them. All of us. basically the amount of butchery that happens in this country. “
Without going into specific legislation, the president said “common sense weapons reforms,” while not preventing all tragedies, can have a significant impact without compromising the Second Amendment.
“The second amendment is not absolute,” the president said.
U.S. President Joe Biden hears before signing an executive order to reform federal and local police on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death during a White House ceremony in Washington, D.C. May 25, 2022. KEVIN LAMARQUE v REUTERS
As he did Tuesday night, the president urged members of Congress to confront the gun lobby.
“The idea that an 18-year-old can go into a store and buy weapons of war designed and marketed to kill is wrong,” Biden said. “It just violates common sense. Even the manufacturer, the inventor, of this weapon thought so too. You know, where is the spine?”
ATF Presidential candidate Steve Dettelbach was seated at Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Some Republicans expressed concern over Dettelbach’s past support for the assault weapons ban.
“The Senate should confirm it without delay, without excuse,” Biden said on Wednesday about his candidate. “Send the nomination to my desktop. It’s time for action.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also urged Congress on Wednesday to pass “reasonable” arms security laws on Wednesday, speaking ahead of the president.
“As the president said last night, we must have the courage to stand up to the arms lobby and pass reasonable arms security laws,” he said. “We need to work together to create an America where everyone feels safe in their community. Where children feel safe in their schools.”
– Rob Legare contributed to this report
Trend news
Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a political journalist for CBS News Digital based in Washington, DC