Members of Congress and their staff joined a bipartisan conference call Sunday afternoon to discuss how to proceed in the wake of a shooting in Tucson, Arizona that severely injured Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and left six dead, including federal judge John Roll.
During the call that included more than 800 members, spouses and staff members, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia said he will postpone a scheduled House vote to repeal the health care law, and instead put forth a resolution to honor those who were killed, a congressional aide said. Cantor encouraged members to return to Washington this week “to honor those who have fallen and to receive any necessary security briefings from the U.S. Capitol Police.”
“In consultation with the Speaker and the Democratic Leadership, I have postponed all previously-scheduled legislation for the coming week to accommodate any action needed in light of yesterday’s tragic events in Arizona,” Cantor said in a statement released Sunday. Congress will meet Tuesday with no plans for legislative business, and will put forth the resolution on Wednesday.
House Speaker John Boehner took time during the call to reaffirm his condemnation of the alleged gunman, who has been identified 22-year-old Jared Loughner.
“As you’ve heard me say, an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve,” Boehner said. “This is a time for the House to pull together as an institution — one body, unified in our common purpose of serving the American people and fighting for the freedom and justice guaranteed to all by our Constitution.”
Boehner said he is coordinating with the Sergeant at Arms, U.S. Capitol Police, and FBI to perform a “in-depth security overview” on Wednesday. The Capitol Police will also provide a review of security measures for members of Congress.
“This is a time for the House to lock arms, both in condemnation of this heinous act, and in prayer for those killed and wounded in this attack,” Boehner said. “At a time when an individual has shown us humanity at its worst, we must rise to the occasion for our nation and show Congress at its best.
Doctors attending to Giffords, who was shot in the head at close range, say they remain “cautiously optimistic” about the congresswoman’s chances for survival.
