Politics
Speaker Paul Ryan Gives Rare Floor Speech In Response To Dallas Shooting
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House Speaker Paul Ryan gave a rare floor speech Friday condemning the attack on police officers in Dallas, Texas, Thursday that left five officers dead and seven injured.
The Wisconsin Republican said members of Congress are outraged over the targeting of law enforcement officials who work to protect the country.
Ryan called on his colleagues to stop themselves from letting the tragedy further the tension between parties on the topic of gun control.
“There will be a temptation to let our anger harden our divisions. Let’s not let that happen. There’s going to be a temptation to let our anger send us further into our corners,” he said. “Let’s not let that happen. That script is just easy to write — it’s too predictable. Let’s defy those predictions.”
Dallas officers said at a press conference earlier in the day they believe the shooter wanted to kill white police officers because he was “upset about Black Lives Matter” and recent police shootings of black individuals.
Ryan said the nation needs to work to heal, and added no one but those who committed the violent acts should be blamed. “Every member of this body wants a world in which people feel safe regardless of the color of their skin. And that’s not how people are feeling these days.”
He noted both Republicans and Democrats want to keep weapons out of the hands of terrorist and criminals.
“Sometimes we disagree on how to get there. Sometimes we disagree passionately on how to get there,” he continued. “But in having this debate, let’s not lose sight of the values that unite us. Let’s not lose sight in our common humanity.”
Democrats have been calling for votes on stricter gun-control measures. Ryan advocated for a package of anti-terror bills that still protect individuals’ rights to due process. They have been indefinitely stalled in the House due to a split between members of the GOP over certain provisions in the legislation.
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