A congressman from California is catching some heat after walking out of a moment of silence for the victims of the Texas church shooting. California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu says he supports the gesture, but the moment of silence isn't going to help anyone.
In a video posted to Lieu's Facebook page on Monday night, the congressman said he was "heartbroken about the children and adults that were killed in the worst mass shooting in Texas history this Sunday."
“My colleagues right now are doing a moment of silence in the House of Representatives chambers. I respect their right to do that and I myself have participated in many of them.
But I can’t do this again; I’ve been to too many moments of silences. In just my short period in congress three of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history have occurred. I will not be silent.”
Lieu referred to the Texas shooting, as well as the mass shooting at the Pulse Orlando nightclub, that left 49 people dead, and last month's shooting in Las Vegas where 58 people were killed.
The congressman representing California's 33rd district called on his fellow lawmakers to pass gun control legislation after Sunday's shooting. However, Republicans have so far declined to bring a bill to the floor.