Senior lawmakers of both parties condemned political violence today after Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University.

Why it matters: Congress is processing the horrific attack in real time, with Democrats and Republicans denouncing the shooting.

• "There is no place in our country for political violence. Period, full stop," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune on X. "Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk."
• "Political violence has no place in America," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on X. "This shooting is horrifying, and I'm praying for Charlie Kirk and his family."
• "The idea that political violence has taken one of the strongest voices on the conservative side is a great heartbreak," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters after learning of Kirk's death.
• "Political violence is NEVER acceptable," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on X. "My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family."

Between the lines: "I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said.

• "Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views. ... Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens," former President George W. Bush said in a statement.

But former Presidents Obama and Biden were more cautious on describing the motivations behind the killing.

• "We don't yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy," Obama said on X. "Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie's family tonight."
• "There is no place in our country for this kind of violence," Biden said. "It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones."

— Hans Nichols

A Johnson-led moment of silence on the House floor gave way to a shouting match between Republicans and Democrats.

• Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) rose soon after to ask for the House to say a prayer for Kirk, according to multiple lawmakers who were on the floor.
• Democrats then shouted "what about the kids in Colorado," referring to a school shooting that also occurred today. Boebert responded that she was about to reference that tragedy before she was interrupted.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who worked as Kirk's director of Hispanic engagement at Turning Point USA, then stood up and yelled at Democrats: "You caused this!"

• Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), a leader of the gun violence prevention task force, shouted: "Pass some gun laws!"

Between the lines: One source of Democrats' frustration was a belief that granting Boebert's request would have been a departure from standard House procedure.

• House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) told us that saying a prayer on the House floor in response to a tragedy is something "we don't even do for fallen members."
• "You have a system that you follow for everybody ... and when you violate it and create exceptions, it then leads to this uneasiness and I think that's kind of what happened in the moment," Morelle said.

The other side: Luna said Johnson should allow a prayer for Kirk despite Democrats' objections.

• "The fact that Democrats were not allowing the speaker to do a moment of prayer is really disgusting," she said.
• "We should have been allowed to pray for Charlie. I would encourage the speaker to go back tomorrow and let us pray on the floor for Charlie Kirk's family."

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— Andrew Solender and Kate Santaliz

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is talking tough on a potential government shutdown.

Why it matters: Schumer is facing a critical fall of fights after incensing the Democratic base by voting to fund the government earlier this year.

• Schumer said today that GOP plans for a stopgap government funding bill aren't good enough to get Democratic votes. Senate Republicans need at least seven Democratic votes to pass a funding measure.
• Schumer also took the rare step of forcing a full Senate vote on the release of the Epstein files. Senate Republicans later voted to defeat the motion.

Between the lines: Schumer this week seemed to threaten a procedural move to block a slate of Trump nominees.

• GOP leaders then sent dozens of nominations back for revotes in their respective committees to avoid any last-minute headaches.

— Stephen Neukam