Last weekend, our neighbors in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, came under the fire of two deranged mass shooters. There is a growing sickness in our nation. Our religious and community institutions — the very glue that holds us together — are declining as a central force in American society, while the politicization of every aspect of our lives is on the rise. These shooters turned to hatred and violence, and as a result, dozens of Americans are dead.

These events should be classified as domestic terrorism, and I’m glad that in the case of El Paso, the FBI is treating it as such. We must do a better job of supporting law enforcement and giving them the tools they need to identify problems before other massacres happen. There is clearly a culture of death in America today. Violence is glorified and normalized on our screens every day. Instead of seeking professional help for mental health problems, these homegrown terrorists are being radicalized in online forums. This must stop.

In a media culture that encourages viewing people solely through hyper-partisan lenses, and not as neighbors and fellow citizens, dangerous division and hatred of those we disagree with is the outcome. This can often lead to violent consequences, as I have experienced personally.

These events are tragedies. Reducing them to talking points and name-calling in support of narrow political agendas only further divides our country.

Jennifer and I pray for the people of El Paso and Dayton. May God help us and may God heal this great nation.

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If you would like to read more on my response to these tragedies, you can find a column I wrote for the Wall Street Journal here.

It is an honor to represent you in Congress. For more information please visit my website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.


God Bless,