Senator was handed note about California shooting while delivering a speech on gun violence
Sen. Richard Blumenthal was delivering a speech on the Senate floor about gun violence when he was handed a note telling him that as he spoke, yet another school shooting was happening in California.
After Republican senators blocked a vote on universal background checks, Blumenthal took to the floor to speak on the importance of background checks.
In a video posted on Twitter, an aide is seen passing him a note to inform him of the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, that has left one person dead and several others injured.
"As I was on the Senate floor speaking about the need for universal background checks—after [Republicans] blocked a vote today—I heard this devastating news," Blumenthal wrote on Twitter.
As I was on the Senate floor speaking about the need for universal background checks—after Rs blocked a vote today—I heard this devastating news. To the victims&families, we can't take back the loss&fear you're feeling, but we'll keep fighting to end this epidemic of violence. https://t.co/i3cqgBk1Smpic.twitter.com/6Mg7L5NtR6
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 14, 2019
The shooting happened around 30 minutes after Republican Rep. Cindy Hyde-Smith blocked a motion to hear the background checks bill.
Almost the same moment gunfire erupted in Santa Clarita (about 11 ET), Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith objected to moving a background check bill added to the Senate calendar on March 4. Said it shouldn't be "fast tracked" and it might stop her from lending a rifle to a grandson. pic.twitter.com/jmxqL564OK
— Michael McAuliff (@mmcauliff) November 14, 2019
"To the victims [and] families, we can't take back the loss [and] fear you're feeling, but we'll keep fighting to end this epidemic of violence," Blumenthal said.
