WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox News Channel’s America’s Newsroom to call on all Americans to find unity in the wake of the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Penn. He urged Americans to confront bigotry and hatred in their communities, and to work together to help end the religious and political divisions that have become so prevalent. He also addressed the migrant caravan heading toward the U.S.-Mexico border, the need for robust border security, and Republicans’ legislative achievements this Congress.
On the importance of all Americans uniting after the tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue:
“Number one, the most important thing we can all do is express our unity with the people of the Tree of Life synagogue and the people of the greater Pittsburgh community. They are going through a lot right now. These are really tough times. What they need is our prayers. They need our support. They need people to come together and stand against bigotry and hate and I think that’s what you are seeing by and large all across this country. That’s the way it should be. I’m glad that the President is going down. I think it’s an important display that he goes down there to show that we’re all Americans in these kinds of tragedies and we are going to stand with each other.”
On his own attack by a leftist:
“The FBI found a lot of vitriol online. [My attacker] expressed a lot of anger and hatred toward Republicans. It’s unfortunate that you see that play itself out sometimes. This isn’t what most of humanity is about. For me, I saw the evil side, but I also saw so much good in people. It was the good and the prayers and the support that got me through it. It’s going to be the same good and support and unity that is going to get the people of Tree of Life synagogue and Pittsburgh through it.”
On the need for all Americans to stand against attacks on religion or political opinion:
“The most important thing we can all do is stand up and say, ‘It’s not right. This isn’t the way we settle our differences.’ And it is not just political. This was an anti-Semitic attack. This was an attack against Jewish people. I don’t even think it was about philosophy or political ideology. You see it on all sides. You see attacks against people based on their political views and you’re seeing attacks based on people’s own religious beliefs. It can’t stand in America and we have to stand up when these kinds of attacks happen and push back on it very, very hard. This isn’t the first time this has happened in our country’s history, but this is a time where it is happening a lot more than it should. It should never happen. When it happens, we should all stand together. I talked to my colleague Keith Rothfus in Pittsburgh and he shared with me just how hurt the community is, but how they’re coming together. I think, again, the President going down there is the right signal to say we’re going to stand with each other in tough times.”
On the need for unity, not greater politicization, in the wake of this tragedy:
“There’s really no need for finger pointing. The fingers should all be pointed at the killer and justice is going to be served against this killer, make no doubt about it. In the meantime, what we need is unity and we need to face off and confront these acts of evil and hatred with unity. Again, I think by and large you’re seeing that. You are seeing some people trying to politicize it for their own personal gain. I think that’s disgraceful. There is no place for that. This is a time where we come together. There is going to be an election in a few days. There is going to be time for people to go and express their political views at the ballot box, but this isn’t that time. This is a time for us to all stand together.”
On his support for justice for the families:
“Ultimately, justice is going to be served. Again, however it’s served, I would like to see it served swiftly. He will get his day in court, but at the same time those victims deserve their day in court as well. They want swift justice; however, it is carried out. I support the fullest extent of the law being carried down upon this killer and anybody who tries to commit these kinds of acts of evil.”
On the President’s possible action on birthright citizenship:
“The President is exploring the legal options to do this through executive action. I would like to see us again get back to rule of law, secure our border. The border has had many challenges. You are seeing this caravan coming in. I’m glad that the President is saying he will use whatever means necessary. You have thousands of people saying we’re just going to storm your country, ignoring your laws. Millions of people every year wait in line to try to come here the legal way. We let more than a million people into our country legally every year. By far the most generous nation in the world. Let’s get back to rule of law. People that want to come here illegally need to recognize that we are going to enforce our laws and secure our border. I’m glad the President is pursuing all of the options that are available to him. Congress needs to continue to pursue all of our actions. We need to fund the wall. We need to get back to border security and close the loopholes that you hear Secretary Nielsen and the President talking about closing.”
On Republicans’ efforts to improve the lives of Americans this Congress:
“…We’ve [worked] to advance an agenda that’s focused on helping hard working taxpayers, helping families. Look, just what we did on the tax cuts alone. It is not only benefiting middle class families, it’s also helping shore up programs like Medicare and social security that right now have their own solvency problems, by having a healthy economy. Let’s keep this progress going, keep working with President Trump to get America back on the right track.”
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“We’ve got a great economy and a great record. [Democrats] want to reverse the tax cuts. If Pelosi is speaker, she wants to reverse the tax cuts and abolish ICE. When you see all of these threats to our homeland, to our national security, why would you want to get rid of the agents that are actually keeping us safe? That are keeping children safe from human trafficking? We’ve confronted the opioid crisis with real good bipartisan legislation. That’s an agenda of success for hardworking families. We want to keep building on it.”