Republicans and Democrats differ on Orlando attack

WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats are taking different lessons from Sunday's deadly attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.

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 worst mass shootings in U.S. history - as an act of terrorism.

Members of Congress from both parties offered 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.

'This appears to be the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11, and it is a sobering reminder that radical Islamists are targeting our country and our way of life,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. 'But Americans will not be intimidated by these fanatics. Instead, tragedies like we saw in Orlando only strengthen our resolve to fight back against terror and prevail over extremism wherever it emerges.”

But Democrats pointed out the nature of the attack, and noted that Congress has not responded to other mass shootings. President Barack Obama Sunday made yet another call for tighter gun laws, calling it a 'further reminder how easy” it is for someone to obtain powerful firearms.

'We have to decide if that's the kind of country we want to be,” he said. 'To do nothing is a decision, as well.”

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said Sunday that he plans to introduce a bill that would bar someone convicted of hate crimes from purchasing firearms.

Casey plans to meet with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community leaders in Pittsburgh Monday to discuss 'steps the United States government must take immediately to address safety concerns across the country from common-sense gun laws to ongoing acts of hate,” a statement from his office said.

A leading proponent of gun control in the Senate sharply criticized congressional inaction after mass shootings. 'This phenomenon of near constant mass shootings happens only in America - nowhere else,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. 'Congress has become complicit in these murders by its total, unconscionable deafening silence.”