Georgia GOP offers prayers after shootings; Dems want legislation

WASHINGTON — In the wake of two devastating mass shootings over the weekend, Georgia Democrats are imploring the U.S. Senate to take action on sweeping gun control legislation.

After the tragic shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohiom which killed at least 29 people and injured many more, Democratic lawmakers this week assailed the GOP-led Senate for refusing to take up a bill to strengthen background checks that passed the House but has gone nowhere in the upper chamber. The House legislation would require federal criminal background checks on all gun sales, including private transactions.

“I know this pain. I know what it feels like to learn of losing a loved one,” wrote U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, a freshman Democrat representing the 6th District whose 17-year-old son was shot and killed in 2012. “But when I pray to my God — I am praying for action. Our country cannot afford anything less.”

The House background check bill passed largely along partisan lines. Georgia’s nine Republican representatives in the U.S. House opposed it; the five Democrats supported it.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) issued a statement Monday urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring lawmakers back from recess to immediately pass the House legislation. The Senate isn’t scheduled to reconvene until Sept. 9.

But there appears to be no chance McConnell will grant their request. He called the weekend’s shootings “senseless” and “sickening” on Twitter, but did not mention any possible legislation.

President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Monday that “strong background checks” could perhaps be tied to immigration reform, but that combination is a nonstarter with his Democratic opponents. Speaking later on Monday, Trump didn’t offer specifics about what kind of legislation he’d be willing to support.

Here’s how Georgia lawmakers have responded to the recent shootings on social media, and how much money they’ve received from gun rights and gun control groups during their congressional careers, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The group tracks contributions from political action committees and individuals giving $200 or more.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R)

$57,900 from gun rights groups

Our prayers are with the victims, families and the entire community who have been affected by the horrific act of violence in El Paso, Texas.

— Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson) August 4, 2019

My prayers are with the families and victims of another tragic and senseless shooting in Ohio. My heart breaks.

— Johnny Isakson (@SenatorIsakson) August 4, 2019

Sen. David Perdue (R)

$34,600 from gun rights groups

Sickened by the horrific attacks in El Paso & Dayton this weekend. I join Georgians & the entire nation in unequivocally condemning these hateful attacks on Americans.

Grateful for first responders & law enforcement who rushed to the scene to rescue those in harm’s way.

— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) August 4, 2019

U.S. House

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-1st)

$23,100 from gun rights groups

Evil showed its face in Texas and Ohio. Our nation grieves with all those impacted by these horrific attacks. Thank you to the brave first responders who rushed into danger.

— Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) August 4, 2019

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-2nd)

$500 from gun control groups

$61,315 from gun rights groups

No comment.

Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-3rd)

$16,000 from gun rights groups

Georgia’s 3rd District – and indeed all Americans – condemn the senseless and cowardly acts of violence in El Paso and Dayton. Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, the first responders, and communities targeted.

— Congressman Drew Ferguson (@RepDrewFerguson) August 4, 2019

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-4th)

$1,000 from gun control groups

1) So far this year our nation has lived through the trauma and stress of 250 mass casualty shootings. With five months left before the year ends, I fear that we have not seen the last of this extreme violence. https://t.co/USvhebt5PJ

— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) August 5, 2019

2) This cascade of mass killings on our streets is creating a nation of people desensitized to extreme violence. Such violence seems to breed more violence. President Trump & those who blindly support him refuse to acknowledge the truth that his words incite bigotry and violence.

— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) August 5, 2019

3) The Democrat-controlled House has passed legislation that would close the gun show loophole and require universal background checks, but Mitch McConnell refuses to allow that legislation to be voted on in the Senate.

— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) August 5, 2019

4) It is time for the Senate and President Trump to act on these and other measures to prevent the gun violence plaguing our nation. As long as this president continues to hold office, I don’t hold out much hope that the hatred and fear mongering will be solved any time soon.

— Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) August 5, 2019

Rep. John Lewis (D-5th)

$3,650 from gun control groups

.@RepEscobar I’m praying for you and the people of El Paso. Let us pull together and work together to end this madness and bring an end to gun violence in America.

— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) August 3, 2019

Rep. Lucy McBath (D-6th)

$16,591 from gun control groups

As we mourned the 20 lives lost after one hate-filled massacre in El Paso, more innocent Americans were murdered in Dayton.

The same hate-fueled gun violence in El Paso is what killed my son in 2012.

MLK said only love can drive out hate. We must act now to save American lives.

— Rep. Lucy McBath (@RepLucyMcBath) August 4, 2019

How many times must our communities be torn apart for my colleagues to act?

As a nation, we have been stuck in a deadly cycle of sending thoughts and prayers year after year, while we continue to lose thousands. https://t.co/xBcClKq5cU

— Lucy McBath (@lucymcbath) August 3, 2019

Rep. Rob Woodall (R-7th)

$7,400 from gun rights groups

“I am shocked by the violence that took place in El Paso and Dayton over the weekend,” Woodall said in a statement. As a community, we say with one voice, and with finality, that hate and violence have no home here. While local law enforcement agencies continue to gather information, all of the resources of federal law enforcement are at their disposal. The affected communities will be supported with whatever they need — whether legal resources or mental health/counseling resources or more.”

Rep. Austin Scott (R-8th)

$24,886 from gun rights groups

Our hearts are with the victims in El Paso, as well as their friends, family and community during this time. Also, we are thankful for the acts of bravery shown by law enforcement and first responders on the scene.

— Rep. Austin Scott (@AustinScottGA08) August 4, 2019

Rep. Doug Collins (R-9th)

$18,000 from gun rights groups

My heart breaks for the innocent victims of the unspeakable tragedies in El Paso and Dayton. White nationalism, hatred and violence have no place in our country. We must stand together to fight against these evils.

— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) August 5, 2019

Rep. Jody Hice (R-10th)

$28,217 from gun rights groups

Strong message by @POTUS @realDonaldTrump this morning as he proclaimed with one voice that we, as a Nation, condemn hate. https://t.co/rPLj8vTfu0

— Rep. Jody Hice (@CongressmanHice) August 5, 2019

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-11th)

$16,900 from gun rights groups