John,

My heart is breaking for the students, teachers, and families in Uvalde reeling from another tragic school shooting, this time at an elementary school.

It is tragic that children in this country – and their parents – have to wonder whether they are safe at school.

My husband and I send our son to school every day confident that he'll be safe. But days like today - and there are far too many of them in this country - shake that confidence. As a mom and a pediatrician, this hits way too close to home.

It has been ten years since the horrifying massacre of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary, in Newtown, Connecticut shattered hearts across this nation. And because of inaction in the Senate, we still don’t have universal background checks for gun ownership, federal red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of people perceived to be a danger to others, or even policies to ensure that children cannot get access to firearms. The House has acted. Now the Senate must take action.

It is long past time for our country to take common-sense steps that can help prevent tragedies like Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde from happening again.

I am committed to addressing our gun violence crisis, and I won't stop until every child feels safe at school, and every parent knows their child is safe. Please keep these families and the greater Uvalde community in your prayers.

Thank you,

Dr. Kim Schrier