Pelosi, Schumer call on McConnell to take up background check bill after Texas shooting

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to take up legislation that would expand background checks on gun purchases following a shooting Saturday in Texas in which five people were killed.

Schumer tweeted that the Senate should take up H.R. 8 in response to the shooting, which would expand background checks to gun purchases between private individuals and require a licensed firearm dealer take possession of the weapon during the process.

“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, & everyone injured in the shooting in Odessa & Midland, TX. Thank you to the first responders who risked their lives to stop the threat. @senatemajldr should bring up H.R. 8 the week Congress returns. We must #endgunviolence,” the top Senate Democrat wrote.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, & everyone injured in the shooting in Odessa & Midland, TX.

Thank you to the first responders who risked their lives to stop the threat.@senatemajldr should bring up H.R. 8 the week Congress returns. We must #endgunviolence.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 1, 2019

Pelosi added in her own tweet that it was time for McConnell to end Senate GOP “obstruction.”

“Enough is enough. Every day, the gun violence epidemic inflicts a devastating toll in communities across America, this time in West Texas. The @SenateGOP must end its obstruction & finally pass House-approved legislation to #EndGunViolence,” she tweeted.

Enough is enough. Every day, the gun violence epidemic inflicts a devastating toll in communities across America, this time
in West Texas. The @SenateGOP must end its obstruction & finally pass House-approved legislation to #EndGunViolence. https://t.co/RcoVI6Eebm

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 1, 2019

Schumer’s remarks followed a shooting in Midland and Odessa, Texas, where an unidentified gunman reportedly opened fire at a traffic stop and later at a movie theater, injuring 21 people and killing five before being killed by police.

At least two law enforcement officials were injured in the shooting and a 17-month-old infant was reportedly among those injured.

Many Democrats including some top 2020 candidates responded to the shooting Saturday with statements calling on Congress to act on gun violence.

Updated at 10:40 p.m.