WASHINGTON – Lawmakers and other workers on Capitol Hill are dismayed after a shooting rampage in Arizona Saturday morning that killed at least six people and wounded more than a dozen others, including Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Soon after the news broke, someone dropped off a small bouquet of yellow flowers outside Giffords’ Congressional office in the Longworth House Office Building. U.S. Capitol Police officers were posted outside the door and staffers from other offices dropped by to offer their sympathy.
“We are watching the situation very carefully,” said Sean O’Brien, Chief of Staff for Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her, the Giffords family, their staff, all the constituents.”
Rep. Giffords was shot during a “Congress on your Corner” event in Tucson. Her website listed the event as a way for constituents to speak with the Congresswoman and share any problems.
O’Brien said it was a shame for someone to target such an event, which represents American democracy and a lawmaker’s ability to interact with the people he or she represents.
He said every office thinks about threats and has procedures for dealing with them. At the same time, lawmakers want to keep Congress as open as possible, despite acts of violence.
“People are still going to be able to meet with their member of Congress and talk to them about everything we are here to do,” O’Brien added.
The incident is renewing questions about security for individual lawmakers. Congressional leaders receive a security detail and Capitol Police officers are often at events where numerous lawmakers are gathered. Yet, rank-and-file lawmakers are on their own most of the time, especially outside the Capitol complex.
“While the United States Capitol Police does not specifically discuss the security of Members of Congress including details on our protective measures, the United States Capitol Police has communicated with Members of Congress advising them to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal safety and security,” said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders in the House are postponing a planned debate and vote on repealing the new health care law.
“All legislation currently scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives next week is being postponed so that we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of [the] tragedy,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
President Barack Obama dispatched FBI Director Robert Mueller to help coordinate the response to the shooting.
“Such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society. I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers,” the President said.
Numerous lawmakers issued statements condemning the attack and in support of Rep. Giffords and others affected.
“Whoever did this, whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race, and they deserve and will receive the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law,’ said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Giffords narrowly won re-election to a third term in the House last November despite a strong tide against Democrats. She’s a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats and a strong supporter of gun rights. Still, many political watchers expected her to lose, especially because her district tends to lean Republican.
“Congresswoman Giffords is a brilliant and courageous Member of Congress, bringing to Washington the views of a new generation of national leaders,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. “It is especially tragic that she was attacked as she was meeting with her constituents whom she serves with such dedication and distinction.”