After news broke that there had been a shooting at a Texas school, South Florida lawmakers took to twitter to share their thoughts on what transpired. Some were angered, others expressed sadness, but it wasn't long before things got politicial, further ensuring that gun control issues will continue to be an important topic discussed in the political arena as we inch closer to the upcoming midterm elections.
Representative Alcee Hastings attacked Paul Ryan and Republicans in his message, writing that "Watching yet another school shooting unfold, knowing that Republicans in Congress have blocked every single effort to reform gun control, is heartbreaking and infuriating. We are averaging 1 school shooting per week with casualties. @SpeakerRyan when will enough be enough?"
Senator Marco Rubio tweeted that "All Americans are heartbroken by yet another attack on a school. We should lift up in prayer [for] the victims & their families. And we should all be grateful for the police officers and for the teachers & students of #SantaFeHighSchool whose brave actions saved lives today.”
Senator Bill Nelson also wrote that news of the shooting is "absolutely heartbreaking. We've got a real problem in this country, and we must do more to prevent these tragedies from happening. Students and parents across the country are counting on us.”
His opponent in the Senate race, Florida Governor Rick Scott, noted that "We unfortunately know the enormity of the grief they are experiencing and our hearts are broken over this senseless tragedy.”
Other tweets can be seen below:
As we continue to learn more details about the situation, I’m grateful to police in Santa Fe that promptly arrived to the school to protect students and personnel. Hardening and securing our classrooms is more urgent than ever.
— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) May 18, 2018
Another tragedy at a high school, this time in Texas. My heart breaks for the victims and their families. We can do something about this. And we must.
— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) May 18, 2018
It’s not too soon. It’s too late.
For at least 8 families. For thousands more student-survivors at Santa Fe High School. @SpeakerRyan, you’ve had 3 months since our meeting to ready universal background checks for the floor.
How many more?
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) May 18, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with those touched by today's school shooting in Texas. Parents & guardians need to be held responsible for not locking up their guns. #MAGA
— Javier Manjarres (@JavManjarres) May 18, 2018
