Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called for “action” Friday in the wake of the Dallas police officer shooting adding that “every Republican and every Democrat wants to see less gun violence.”
Speaking from the floor of the House, Ryan said, “A few perpetrators of evil do not represent us. They do not control us. The blame lies with the people who committed these vicious acts and no one else. And as the president rightfully said, justice will be done.”
“We also have to let the healing be done as well. This has been a long week for our country. It’s been a long month for America. We’ve seen terrible, terrible senseless things. Every member of this body, every Republican and every Democrat wants to see less gun violence. Every member of this body wants a world in which people feel safe regardless of the color of their skin. And that’s not how people are feeling these days.”
“Sometimes we disagree on how to get there. Sometimes we disagree passionately on how to get there. But in having this debate, let’s not lose sight of the values that unite us. Let’s not lose sight in our common humanity. The values that brought those protesters to the streets in Dallas, the values that brought those protesters to the streets in Washington last night — respect, decency, compassion, humanity — if we lose those fundamental things, what’s left?”
“We need to take a moment here for reflection, for thought, for prayer, for justice, for action. Right now, let’s let justice be done and let’s also let some healing occur too.”