I write to you today feeling broken. 

We live in what's supposed to be – what I believe to be – the greatest nation on Earth. But no other industrialized nation like ours is plagued by what happened, again, yesterday. 

Another shooting. In an elementary school. Nineteen children and two adults gunned down – LITERALLY 10 DAYS after another mass shooting in a GROCERY STORE.

I am sick and tired of it, friend. I have stood at more crime scenes than I care to recount where innocent lives were lost to gun violence. I have seen far too many sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers killed by the hand of someone with a gun – someone who should have never had a gun in the first place.

Because in America, you ought to be able to go to a church, synagogue, grocery store, school, college or movie theater – or, my God, even walk down the street – without worrying about being gunned down.

I don't doubt many people on our team are feeling broken too. In times like these, I turn to my faith, and I hope you will join me in praying for the families of those murdered in Uvalde, Texas. But let me be clear: FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS DEAD. 

It's long past time for the U.S. Senate to get off its knees and do something about our children being gunned down in school.

It's time for Congress, specifically the Senate, to take action in response to the gun lobby–facilitated carnage that the Republican Party has let go on and on for far too long. We passed gun safety legislation in the House, and soon, Majority Leader Schumer will bring it to a vote in the Senate. Now is the Senate's moment to act.

If you're feeling broken – or sick and tired, or devastated, or angry – then I am with you. I am resolved to stop this. If you are too, then add your name right now to demand that the U.S. Senate take action to prevent gun violence. Senators will be voting imminently on gun safety reform legislation, and in moments like this, we need to make clear what grassroots Democrats want them to do.

My heart is with the families in Uvalde – and importantly, my word is with all of you: I will never, ever stop fighting to end gun violence in this nation.

Val Demings