My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the two young students and two teachers whose lives were stolen in the devastating mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. I stand in solidarity with the wounded, the survivors, and the entire community reeling from this senseless tragedy. No child should ever have to live in fear of attending school, and no parent should have to wonder if they’ll see their child return home at the end of the day. Yet, here we are again.

What happened yesterday is not just another incident. It is a glaring failure of our country to take real action in addressing the epidemic of gun violence that continues to terrorize our schools and communities. The fact that this 14-year-old suspect was previously questioned by law enforcement about threats, and still had access to a deadly AR-15-style weapon, is beyond unacceptable.

Enough is enough. We have the power to stop these tragedies, and it’s time for Congress to act. The overwhelming majority of Americans — Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — support common-sense gun safety measures like universal background checks, closing gun show loopholes, and restricting access to weapons of war like AR-15s. It is past time to pass these wildly popular policies.

This tragedy marks at least the 45th school shooting this year alone. How many more? How many more lives need to be lost before we demand that our leaders in Washington take real, decisive action? Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Our children, teachers, and communities deserve more. They deserve to live without the constant threat of gun violence looming over them. It is our moral obligation to do everything in our power to ensure that this never happens again.

To the families and community of Apalachee High School—please know that we mourn with you, we stand with you, and we will keep pushing for the change that should have come long ago.