Pelosi Statement on Three Years Since Shooting in El Paso

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement marking three years since the deadly mass shooting at the El Paso Walmart near Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas:

"Three years ago, a right-wing extremist – armed with an assault rifle and fueled by the evils of white nationalism – sought to terrorize El Paso's Latino community, claiming 23 lives and injuring 23 more in a horrific act of racist mass murder. This massacre devastated El Paso and shattered the hearts of Americans across the country. Yet even as we mourn the beautiful souls stolen in El Paso, our nation's daily drumbeat of gun violence continues to tear apart even more families. Inspired by the courage of survivors and guided by their advocacy, House Democrats remain unwavering in our commitment to ending America's gun epidemic.

"Earlier this year, President Biden and the Democratic Congress made historic progress toward this goal: enacting the country's first major gun violence prevention legislation in nearly three decades. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is helping to stop the bloodshed by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands, strengthening background checks for young purchasers and investing in mental health services. Further action is needed to curb this crisis — which is why the Democratic House has proudly advanced the Assault Weapons Ban to get weapons of war off our streets, the Active Shooter Alert Act to more efficiently warn communities during a shooting and landmark legislation securing universal background checks for all gun purchases.

"As we honor the memory of those murdered in El Paso, let us renew our resolve to stamp out hateful violence wherever it appears, end the daily horrors of gun violence and build a safer future for all of our children."