(CNN) - Following the shootings Saturday in Tucson, Arizona, all legislation on the House schedule for the coming week is postponed, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced in a statement.
Cantor said the decision was made by leaders of both political parties in the House so that "we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today's tragedy." The schedule change means the House will not vote next week on the repeal of health care reform.
"I couldn't agree more with (House) Speaker (John) Boehner, who earlier said that, 'an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve,'" Cantor said in Saturday's statement. "Along with our nation, this institution has suffered a horrible tragedy. We are saddened, mourn those who lost their lives, and stand together in hopeful prayer for the recovery of the victims and their families."
- CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash contributed to this report
Shame on all of those people on the right who call for violence. This woman was on Sarah Palin's hit list. Michelle Bachmann's wants people armed and dangerous, Sharon Angle called for gun violence, Rush, Beck, Hannity, Coulter, the list goes on and on. Maybe Congress should have a day where they publicly condemn these people for their hate speech. I know it's not going to happen, but the insanity has to stop. When the father of Rep Giffords was asked if his daughter had any enemies, he say "yes, the tea party". What a sad commentary on what the tea party stands for. My condolences to the familes of the victims of today's horrible shooting.
A tragedy but Congress should continue with their business as usual. One lunatic and Congress shuts down? Pay respects to the victims and carry on!
The actions that need to be taken is that everyone in Congress stop the negative rhetoric. And while you're at it how about doing something about right wing hate radio.
Time for everyone to tone down the heated rhetoric, especially political talk show entertainers.
Get to work you slobs,,,,, you've been off since november,,, get a real job, to take off a week due to this is ridiculous,,,,,, she won't have any brain damage,,, she is a democrat....so no brain was in danger....She could voice a opinion for obama now that would be as coherent as pelosi or reid. By the way he's not a gunman Cnn, he's a killer. Leave the guns out of it, crazy people are crazy.
Pelosi should be held responsible for this shooting. Her hateful language and vicious anti-American activities only excites the crazies into action.
Republicans could have toned down a lot of the political rheteric but they said nothing and did nothing, this started with Palin. I knew this day would come when some nut case would take the life of innocent people when hate is sprewed across our nation. It is not a only a sad day in America it's shameful that political hate has been fired up by those who seek political office. I knew this day would come and yes I am very angry that this happened.
Do you think this terrible tragedy will give pause to the many self-serving politicians, ex-politicians and pundits, who thoughtlessly spew incendiary rhetoric each day, all in an effort to incite their base, fatten their bank accounts and advance their own careers? While they didn’t put the gun in the hands of this unstable young man, they all bear some responsibility for sinking our country to the lowest depths of incivility we’ve seen in decades and for fanning the flames that often result in threats or violence. Given their own penchant for incivility and instigation, I find their statement disingenuous at best.
Just the people of Arizona exercising their Second amendment rights! Where is John McCain? Why isn't he there to solve the problem? why isn't the damn fence built yet?
Frankly Minority Leader Mitch I don't see as having much of a soul. although for this he might. John though I wouldn't count him out. yes he says some bad things. But he's not heartless. Left or right though no human would be carrying on in congress except one thing. Why.
You know what I'm sorry but this sends the wrong message. Government needs to move forward. This 22 year old p.o.s. Is capable of stopping congress?
Wait, congress actually had legislation to vote on next week? thats news to me.. oh yea, "the repeal of obamacare" yea right
She was one of the targets that Palin put the cross hairs on and told the people to reload......reguardless of what Palin may have meant by that remark, she should have had more sense to know that even if she didn't mean it literally that a lot of crazy people out there would take it to heart that she actually meant for them to get their guns, load them and go after the ones she put the cross hairs on......this is how incompident Palin is......Becareful of what of what you say, it will come back to bite you in the butt......and it has for Palin.....
What a bunch of histronic idiots. What purpose can it serve for them to quit working next week? You can be sure it doesn't have anything to do with what they say it does, and it is not good for America.
Did Cantor apologize for not denouncing Sarah Palin for painting a crosshairs target on Giffords?
Did he or Boehner or McConnell or any of the rest apologize for not condemning Sharron Angle for calling for 'Second Amendment remedies'?
I didn't think so. They have blood on their hands, and they know it.
They're probably scrambling to see if they can install a Repub in Giffords' seat while the Dems are still in shock.
I fully agree with House Speaker (John) Boehner that attack on one public servant is attack on all. If the officials & public servants are open to hostility during or after office, sincere & serious persons will not come forward for public services making public life chaotic & unorganized. It is very important that public servants have the minimum public security with them more so in public places so that their freedom of movement & liberty of expression is not curtailed. It is also imperative that places of public servants where they assemble normally should also be well protected like Congress House, Parliament & other vulnerable posts & places. As the war on terror is continuing & heavy chunk of foreign countries are living in USA, it is all the more necessary to take reasonable precautions & measures to protect such vulnerable places & personalities.
Obama and the democrats will do anything to stop the repeal of Obamacare. Destroy this administration on paper as fast as you can Republicans. A tTea Partier has spoken. Impeach him now.
Q: Why aren't they calling him a terrorist?
A: Because he is NOT a muslim.
He is white, and most likely a Christian, so he won't be labeled a TERRORIST.
It's so so sad... I pray she comes out well with no brain damage. I guessed like most people that the "mentally unstable" card will be played once the assassin comes under scrutiny. It was so. Sadly, the truth is, the unbelievable volume of hate that has been propagated by the anti-Obama establishment has been nothing short of a call to arms. It suddenly became fashionable for Republicans to sound exactly like Rush Limbaugh. I pray we dont see more bloodshed. God bless America.
And, hopefully, all you fear-mongers with your "second Amendment remedies" punch lines are feeling a little nervous, too. Inciting people to commit crimes is a felony; you should all go to Hades by way of a long stay in jail first.
Postponed reaily? maybe it has somthing to do with all the lise the Republicans hav spread ,#1 claiming the health care bill is killing jobs that is a bold face lie i hope the President calls them on that.
Will the RNC wait until tomorrow before announcing its candidate to take this seat in the next election?
The FAR "Right" doesn't have enough votes to overturn an absolutely certain Presidential VETO, so staging this political theater is exactly that, an exercise that costs the taxpayers money and gives the Tea Party the ILLUSION that the "Ultra "Right" wing is "working for them."
If they REALLY want to replace this bill with something better, as they claim, they should FIRST WRITE THE "IMPROVED" health care bill – one that will cover more people for more things with less red tape so that they can live without fear that insurance companies can deny them AFFORDABLE coverage or terminate their policies once they are needed. THEN repeal the existing bill, that while not perfect, does do some things to protect the public.