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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

My heart breaks for victims of school shooting

Congressman Daniel Webster

My heart breaks for the victims, students, and teachers of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. My prayers are with them, their loved ones and our first responders.

It is clear there is much work to be done on multiple fronts as we seek to prevent future tragedies like this.  As information about the shooter has surfaced, there is evidence that he needed mental health services. He was in desperate need of help. Throughout my time in public service, improving access and reforming mental health services has been a priority. It is important to assist those battling mental and substance abuse illnesses.

Recently, Congress passed legislation that was a culmination of years of hard work and included policies that I had championed for several years. The 21st Century Cures Act passed and signed into law in 2016 encompasses the most significant reforms to the mental health system in more than a decade. These include strengthening the nation’s mental health workforce through grant programs that increase responsiveness to mental health issues, and expanding Mental Health Services Block Grant to allow states to cover more emotional behavioral issues in young adults.

There is more work to be done, and I will remain focused to improve access and empower those who are best equipped to provide these critical services.

There is also a clear failure by the FBI to follow the proper protocols that could have led to the shooter being stopped before his heinous acts. In January, the FBI was tipped on the behaviors of the shooter, including several social media posts stating his intention to shoot students at the school, information about his gun ownership, and odd demeaners described by his former classmates. Yet they failed to properly respond and this is unacceptable.

On Friday, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced that the bureau will investigate the timeline of the tip, the individuals who were responsible for reviewing the information, and hold accountable individuals responsible for the bureau’s lack of responsiveness in this case.  I am committed to working to ensure our federal and state intelligence and law enforcement agencies are held to the highest standards of accountability and following the necessary protocols to protect our citizens.

Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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