Paul Ryan: “As we come together today, in continued shock and deep mourning our hearts go out to all who lost loved ones, friends…”

“As we come together today, in continued shock and deep mourning our hearts go out to all who lost loved ones, friends, and colleagues in yesterday's tragic attacks. As the terrible course of events unfolded yesterday, our nation drew together in shared grief and in strong support for one another-- especially for the families of those killed or injured. We need to do all we can to help them now and in the wrenching weeks ahead. We must preserve the solidarity now shared by all Americans and our allies in other countries in the wake of this horrific act of war. We are resolved to bring those responsible for this atrocity to justice-- swift and sure--and make clear that America, that freedom itself, will never be held hostage to terror. An act of war has been committed against the United States, and we are justified in considering a declaration of war in response, once we find out who planned, executed, and enabled yesterday's terrorist strikes. In this, we stand ready to support our President as the Commander in Chief of our country. With a fresh awareness of our vulnerability, we must move forward to secure our nation. With hope that cannot be defeated, we must turn to what is best within us, put aside our differences, respond to the continuing crisis and begin the process of rebuilding.”