[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8560]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE ORLANDO ATTACK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate now observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Orlando 
attack.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The Senate will now observe a moment of silence for the victims of 
the Orlando attack.
  (Moment of silence.)
  The Senate majority leader.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, above this Capitol, the American flag 
flies at half-staff--a symbol of national sorrow for lives taken far 
too soon, a symbol of national solidarity for families left behind 
plunged into despair.
  ISIL claims that the terrorist who committed this horrific act is one 
of the ``soldiers of the caliphate.'' Our intelligence community will 
work to establish whether this terrorist was directed or inspired by 
ISIL. Either way, I will call him what he really is: a coward, a 
murderer who claimed allegiance to a brutal group that crucifies 
children and beheads women.
  This terrorist sought to spread fear and sadness and suffering. Yet, 
even amidst the horror, he couldn't destroy our common bonds of 
humanity. Every act of compassion, every outstretched arm to a friend, 
every calming word to a stranger--a response to his cruel ideology and 
a reminder of who we are as Americans.
  Let us recognize each act of heroism that night, and let us never 
forget the debts we owe to first responders--the men and women who rush 
toward danger and put their lives on the line for victims they never 
met.
  Local law enforcement will continue working with the FBI to determine 
the exact nature of this crime. We will soon find out more details. We 
will learn, for instance, whether this attack was ISIL directed or 
inspired. Whether this terrorist was in communication with ISIL in 
Raqqa or simply following tactics set forth in Dabiq, ISIL's online 
magazine, it leads to a larger point. It is no longer an open, 
analytical question whether the followers of ISIL and other Islamic 
terrorist groups will attempt to strike us here in the West--they have, 
and they will continue to do so.
  We need to do what we can to fight back so we can prevent more of 
these atrocities. That is exactly why, for instance, the Senate needs 
to be briefed on the President's counter-ISIL campaign. Understanding 
the President's plan with respect to ISIL is critical, especially given 
that the war in Iraq and Syria will outlive the life of his 
administration. That is why we have been asking the administration for 
briefings on his strategy for a very long time. I expect this will now 
happen very soon.
  We will also be receiving a briefing on the Orlando attack this 
Wednesday, but today is a day for sorrow and remembrance. We saw the 
face of evil this weekend, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with 
fellow Americans this afternoon. We grieve for the victims, and we say 
this to their families and to Orlando: You are not alone. Your Nation 
is here with you, and we won't back down in the face of terrorism.

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