Pulse nightclub to become a national memorial 5 years after deadly mass shooting

Congress passed legislation to make Pulse nightclub a national memorial just days before the fifth anniversary of the deadly mass shooting in Orlando, Fla. 

Sen. Rick Scott (R) of Florida, who was the governor at the time of the shooting, introduced the the Senate bill, which passed on Wednesday. The bill passed by unanimous consent. The House passed its version of the bill on May 12. 

The bill designates the nightclub as the National Pulse Memorial at 1912 South Orange Ave., Orlando, Fla. to commemorate the 49 lives lost on June 16, 2016 after a gunman opened fire into the gay nightclub. 

“Five years ago, we lost 49 innocent lives in a terror attack against our state, nation, & Hispanic & LGBTQ communities at the Pulse Nightclub. We will never forget them. Today, @marcorubio & I honored their memory & passed our bill establishing the ‘National Pulse Memorial’,” tweeted Sen. Scott after the Senate had passed the bill. 

“Saturday marks 5 years since our Central Florida community lost 49 angels in the Pulse nightclub shooting. I am honored that my bill with @RepStephMurphy & @RepValDemings for a #PulseNationalMemorial passed the House & thank @SenRickScott & the Senate for taking action #ForThe49,” tweeted Rep. Darren Soto (D). 

The bill now heads to the desk of President Biden, who is expected to sign it.