Condemning the Attacks on Minnesota Lawmakers in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, and Calling for Unity and the Rejection of Political Violence in Minnesota and Across the United States

Floor Speech

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Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 519) condemning the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, and calling for unity and the rejection of political violence in Minnesota and across the United States, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the resolution.

The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 519

Whereas, on June 14, 2025, a gunman entered the home of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and shot and critically injured him and his wife, Yvette Hoffman;

Whereas the gunman then entered the home of Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and assassinated her and her husband Mark Hortman;

Whereas the gunman had documents that listed dozens of lawmakers targeted for assassination;

Whereas the law enforcement officers of Brooklyn Park and Champlin saved additional lives by intervening with their bravery and rapid response to the attack;

Whereas Speaker Emerita Hortman was a formidable public servant who served her community and the people of Minnesota with deep devotion, compassion, and strength;

Whereas acts of political violence have no place in the United States of America and represent a grave threat to our nation;

Whereas swift condemnation of political violence by elected officials is necessary to preserve and protect American democracy;

Whereas when these violent acts expose division, we must persevere in the pursuit of democratic principles, resolving our differences through debate and civil discourse; and

Whereas political violence not only attacks the life and liberty of our representatives, it also attacks the right of the people to be represented: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives, in this moment of tragic loss--

(1) strongly condemns and denounces the attacks on Minnesota state legislators in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota on June 14, 2025;

(2) honors the life of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman for her devotion to public service and her tireless efforts to serve the people of Minnesota, and the life of her husband, Mark Hortman;

(3) honors Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, who were shot and critically injured, and wishes their full and speedy recovery;

(4) honors the courageous law enforcement officers who saved additional lives with their rapid response to the attack and successfully apprehended and charged the suspected perpetrator on June 15, 2025;

(5) calls on all community leaders and elected officials to publicly and unequivocally denounce acts of political violence; and

(6) calls on all people in the United States to unite in this moment of pain and tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to a safe, civil, and peaceful democracy where violent rhetoric and acts are not tolerated.

Mr. Speaker, on June 14, a horrific tragedy was inflicted on America and the State of Minnesota.

Early that morning, a deranged assassin ambushed State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom were shot multiple times at their home while bravely defending their daughter.

Hours later, the same assassin broke into the residence of Melissa Hortman and murdered her and her husband, Mark, in cold blood. Melissa was the former 61st speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

These attacks were not random.

Recent evidence has revealed that they were part of a larger plot the assailant was planning that appeared to target public servants and their families across the State.

Such violence has no place in our country, especially political violence. Today, my colleagues and I firmly condemn these attacks and all who seek to harm our elected officials, regardless of party or ideology.

In this country, we resolve our differences through spirited debate, the ballot box, and by working through an intentionally designed constitutional system left to us as our Founding Fathers' greatest legacy.

The victims of this horrible attack were not just politicians. They were neighbors, parents, sons, and daughters. They believed in this Nation and their State enough to dedicate their lives to representing their constituents' interests and the pursuit of positive change.

I am confident that my colleagues share this sentiment and can agree that no American, whether elected official or private citizen, should live in fear of being targeted for their beliefs, their vote, or their service.

I would also like to recognize the valiant effort of law enforcement in tracking down and capturing the suspect in this case.

Despite knowing the danger the alleged murderer posed, for 40 hours, officers across numerous departments and agencies worked tirelessly to locate and stop the killer before he could strike again. Their courage and professionalism prevented further loss of life, and they deserve our deepest gratitude.

We stand with the people of Minnesota. We condemn these horrific attacks and denounce political violence in all its forms as contrary to the American Constitution and our way of life.

In moments like these, we must all come together to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the peace and civility that define the America that I know and love.

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Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I join my House colleagues in offering my deepest condolences to the people of Minnesota.

I particularly extend my sympathies to my House colleagues representing the Minnesota delegation. We mourn the loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman, remembering their lives and the lasting impact they had on the State they loved so deeply.

We send warm wishes of recovery to John and Yvette Hoffman, who have displayed true courage through this nightmare.

My prayers are with the families and friends of the victims who have had their lives upended and forever altered by these heinous acts.

We will not bend to intimidation or fear, and we refuse to tolerate the actions of those who would seek to usurp the will of the people and their representatives, advancing their own twisted agendas through violence and bloodshed.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage each of our colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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