Schumer calls on McConnell to hold emergency session on gun control

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday demanded that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) call lawmakers back from their summer recess in order to hold an emergency session on gun control.

He made the request following the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, which left 29 people dead and 53 injured. The House and Senate won't be back in session until after Labor Day, but Schumer wants to reconvene so the Senate can debate and vote on universal background check legislation the House passed in February. The bill requires background checks on all gun sales, including those conducted at gun shows.

Schumer also went after President Trump and his recent attacks against Baltimore and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.). "When President @RealDonaldTrump spends more time and energy denouncing Rep. Elijah Cummings and Baltimore than he does denouncing right-wing extremists who often traffic in hate and white nationalism, it shows his priorities are un-American and way off balance," he said. Authorities believe the El Paso shooting suspect posted an anti-immigrant screed online.

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