James Comer: “Mr. Speaker, on June 14, a horrific tragedy was inflicted on America and the State of Minnesota. Early that morning, a…”

“Mr. Speaker, on June 14, a horrific tragedy was inflicted on America and the State of Minnesota. Early that morning, a deranged assassin ambushed State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom were shot multiple times at their home while bravely defending their daughter. Hours later, the same assassin broke into the residence of Melissa Hortman and murdered her and her husband, Mark, in cold blood. Melissa was the former 61st speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. These attacks were not random. Recent evidence has revealed that they were part of a larger plot the assailant was planning that appeared to target public servants and their families across the State. Such violence has no place in our country, especially political violence. Today, my colleagues and I firmly condemn these attacks and all who seek to harm our elected officials, regardless of party or ideology. In this country, we resolve our differences through spirited debate, the ballot box, and by working through an intentionally designed constitutional system left to us as our Founding Fathers' greatest legacy. The victims of this horrible attack were not just politicians. They were neighbors, parents, sons, and daughters. They believed in this Nation and their State enough to dedicate their lives to representing their constituents' interests and the pursuit of positive change.”