Republicans and Democrats are taking different lessons from Sunday’s deadly attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

 

At least 50 people were killed and dozens more wounded after a gunman attacked the Pulse nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning. Law enforcement officials are investigating the attack — the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history —  as an act of terrorism.

 

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle offered their condolences and expressed outrage at the attacks. But Republicans tended to cite the need to boost counterterrorism efforts, while Democrats called on Congress to act to prevent gun violence, previewing possibly divergent congressional responses to the attack.

 

 [

Florida Senators: Orlando Shooting Appears to Be Terror Attack

]

 

But Democrats pointed to the nature of the attack, and noted that Congress has failed to respond to other mass shootings in the U.S.

A leading proponent of gun control in the Senate sharply criticized congressional inaction in the wake of mass shootings.

 

“This phenomenon of near constant mass shootings happens only in America — nowhere else,” said Sen. Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut. “Congress has become complicit in these murders by its total, unconscionable deafening silence.”

Murphy, a Democrat, represents the state that experienced a horrific mass shooting in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that left 26 dead. Murphy’s Senate counterpart, Democrat Richard Blumenthal, also said Senate inaction to prevent gun violence has made lawmakers “complicit in this public health crisis.”

But as details began to emerge Sunday morning about the attack, one Republican said the attack could foster debate in both areas.

“A lot of us have been talking for quite a while in terms of background checks and tightening background checks, particularly as it pertains to those with mental illness,” Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said on NBC’s “Meet the Press
.” “And I think that that debate can and should go on as well as the debate on how to best protect us against those who were inspired or funded or directed by international terrorists.”

A similar dynamic emerged after the mass shooting in San Bernadino, California, in December. The lawmaker representing San Bernadino also weighed in following the Orlando attack.

“Guns — guns designed to kill efficiently and quickly — have no place on our streets,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar who represents San Bernardino. The Democrat later added, “We can and we must do better — for Orlando, for San Bernardino and for us all.”

Democrats were also more likely to highlight the fact that the attack happened at a gay nightclub. June marks Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with scores of events taking place across the country.

“Although the investigation remains ongoing, the fact that it targeted a place where LGBT Americans went to feel safe — and that it occurred during LGBT Pride Month — initially leads to the belief that this was not only an act of terrorism, but also a crime of hate and prejudice,” said House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland.

But some Republicans, including House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes of California, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio did make reference to the nature of the club.

“Clearly radical Islam wants to target the gay community,” Nunes told CNN on Sunday morning. “And this would be a prime location to do that.”

John T. Bennett and Lindsey McPherson contributed to this report.

Contact Bowman at  

bridgetbowman@rollcall.com

 

 and follow her on Twitter 


@bridgetbhc

.

Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone or your Android.