(Reuters) – U.S. officials and members in Congress reacted Tuesday to the Texas school shooting, which resulted in 18 deaths and one injury for one child.

U.S.PRESIDENT JOE BODEN

Biden expressed regret at the “another massacre” that claimed “beautiful and innocent” fourth, third,, and fifth graders had been killed in what he said was “another massacre.”

He said that their parents would never again see their child and they will never be able to cuddle or jump on the bed with them.

“As a nation we need to ask ourselves, When in God’s Name are we going to stand against the gun lobby?

“We need to act,” he stated, suggesting that the assault weapons ban be reinstated and “common sense” gun laws.

CONNECTICUT DEMOCRATICSENATOR CHRIS MORPHY:

Don’t make me mad about mental illness. In fact, we don’t have more mental illness in this country than other countries. This cannot be explained through the prism of mental illness. We’re not an exception when it comes to mental illness. It’s not common for criminals or very sick individuals to have access to guns. This is what makes America unique.

UTAH REPUBLICAN SENSATOR MITT ROMEY

The soul is overwhelmed by grief. Children slaughtered. Lives extinguished. Heartbreak for parents. Incomprehensible. Although I have offered condolences and prayers, it was grossly insufficient. “We must seek answers.”

JOE MANCHIN, DEMOCRATIC SENSATOR WEST VIRGINIA

“That doesn’t make any sense, so why can’t we do common-sense and common-sense things to try to prevent this from happening?”

PETE BUTTIGIEG SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

“How many more live? What about the children? How long before we stop making the same mistakes that make our country the only one where it happens so often? It isn’t inevitable. This must stop.”

REPUBLICANTEXAS GOVERNOR, GREG ABBOTT

“Texans are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime & for the community of Uvalde.

“Cecilia & I mourn this horrific loss & urge all Texans to come together.”

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER, MITCH McCONNELL

We are horrified by the horrific violence that was perpetrated against Uvalde’s schoolchildren. We pray for all the victims, their families, teachers and first responders.

TEXAS REPUBLICAN SENATOR TED CLUB:

“Heidi & I are fervently lifting up in prayer the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde. The exact details of the shooting are being worked out by local authorities, although we are keeping in touch with them. Thank you to heroic law enforcement & first responders for acting so swiftly.”

TEXAS REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN CORNYN:

“I thank law enforcement for stopping the shooter and the entire medical team who are working right now to avoid more deaths. “I join fellow Texans to lift up Uvalde during this horrible tragedy.”

TEXAS REPUBLICAN ATTTORNEY GENERAL, KEN PAXTON

I ask all of you to pray for the fellow Texans affected by today’s horrific Uvalde shooting. Our refuge and strength is the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for those who have been killed, injured, their families and first responders.

FRANK OBAMA, FORMER PRINCE:

“Nearly ten years after Sandy Hook — and ten days after Buffalo — our country is paralyzed, not by fear, but by a gun lobby and a political party that have shown no willingness to act in any way that might help prevent these tragedies. It’s long past time for action, any kind of action. And it’s another tragedy — a quieter but no less tragic one — for families to wait another day.”

KAMALA MALA HARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT:

“Enough is enough…As a nation we must have the courage and will to act to make sure that this does not happen again.”