Letter to Constituents on Tuscan, AZ Shootings

Statement

Dear Friends,

The Congress paused this week in the wake of the tragic shootings in Tucson, Arizona targeting my friend and colleague Gabrielle Giffords. This senseless act of violence not only wounded those who attended Gabby's congressional event in a grocery store parking lot, six of them fatally, but I believe it has wounded our nation. While it does not appear that this deranged individual was politically motivated, and while only he is responsible for his actions, I have been concerned for some time about the deteriorating tone of our political discourse in this country and I am hopeful that we can return to a more civil, constructive dialogue on the issues we face.

Security of members of Congress, our staff and our constituents is of utmost importance. Moving forward this is being scrutinized. But it should not come at the expense of the public's accessibility to their elected officials which is central to our representative democracy.

On Wednesday the House passed a resolution condemning this act of violence. I would like to share with you video of my House floor remarks on the resolution as well as a discussion with Katie Couric on the CBS Evening News that I participated in about the shooting and tone of the country.

My thoughts and prayers are with Gabby and her family, and all of the other victims and their families. Let us as a nation begin to heal.

With Best Regards,

Michael T. McCaul
Member of Congress

Source