Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks on the Senate floor about Wednesday morning's shooting at the Republican congressional baseball practice./Senate Television via AP
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called this morning’s shooting at a GOP congressional baseball practice practice in Virginia a “despicable act” during a speech to the Senate Wednesday morning, after learning that the suspect in had apparently volunteered for his 2016 presidential campaign.
The attack wounded at least five people, including Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), one of his aides, and two Capitol Police officers, after the alleged gunman James T. Hodgkinson opened fire on a baseball field in the Del Ray neighborhood of Virginia around 7am.
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society, and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” Sen. Sanders said. “Real change can only come through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values.”
Watch his full comments below:
.@SenSanders statement that alleged shooter was presidential campaign volunteer: “I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.” pic.twitter.com/iLjxDdnftN
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 14, 2017
Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. pic.twitter.com/hyfmmpgXML
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 14, 2017
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) addressed also his colleagues Wednesday morning. “We are all horrified by this dreadful attack,” he said:
Paul Ryan: "An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."
Congress responds with a standing ovation. https://t.co/eQALbiqAvH
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 14, 2017
