House holds moment of silence for victims of Texas church shooting

The House held a moment of silence on Monday evening for the victims of the shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in what’s become a familiar ritual for lawmakers.

Two members, including Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), could be seen kneeling near the center of the House floor during the moment of silence.

Seen on C-SPAN: U.S. House observes a Moment of Silence for victims of #TexasChurchMassacre. pic.twitter.com/xwSnKs9Mm8

— CSPAN (@cspan) November 7, 2017

Lewis led House Democrats’ sit-in on the House floor last year to protest inaction on gun-control legislation following the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, which was the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history before the massacre in Las Vegas a month ago.

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A lone gunman entered the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on Sunday and killed 26 worshippers, while injuring 20 others. The ages of the people killed ranged from 18 months to 77 years.

Sunday’s massacre came just over a month after the shooting in Las Vegas, which was the deadliest in modern U.S. history with 58 people killed and more than 500 injured.

Yet both shootings have been met with a similar response on Capitol Hill: Democrats call for gun-control measures, while Republicans try to shift the debate to mental health. 

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who represents the region where the Sutherland Springs shooting took place, offered condolences in brief floor remarks after the moment of silence.

“To the people of Sutherland Springs, I stand with you. We stand with you. The House of Representatives stands with you and the people of the United States of America stand with you,” Cuellar said.