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On Thursday (May 26), Senate Republicans blocked the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act after more than two dozen people were killed in mass shootings this month.
In a 47-47 vote, Republicans blocked a bill seen by Democrats as a pathway to target the white supremacist ideology and other racist messaging authorities say have led to multiple mass shootings this month.
On May 14, Payton Gendron drove three hours to Buffalo, New York, and fatally shot 10 Black people inside of a grocery store. The very next day, on May 15, a gunman identified as David Chou, entered a Taiwanese American church in California and fatally shot one person and wounded five others. Authorities said Chou was motivated by political tensions between China and Taiwan.
Republicans blocked the bill just two days after 19 school children and their teachers were gunned down inside of their Texas classroom.
Under the legislation, federal agencies would be authorized to monitor and report on domestic terrorism inside the country, including white supremacist ideology. Republicans said the legislation is unnecessary because the President has the authority to respond to domestic terrorist threats.
The bill's blockage also cut down an avenue for immediate federal action on gun control — which Republicans like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz believes is a "political" move instead of a tangible response to rising gun violence in his own state.
Cruz, along with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, is slated to speak at the National Rifle Association's annual convention on Friday (May 27) in Houston.
Reading about trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
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