PolicyBrief
S.RES. 275
119th CongressJun 18th 2025
A resolution honoring the memory of the victims of the heinous attack at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016.
SENATE PASSED

This resolution honors the memory of the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub attack and reaffirms the nation's commitment to fighting hate.

Rick Scott
R

Rick Scott

Senator

FL

LEGISLATION

Senate Resolution Commemorates Pulse Nightclub Victims, Formalizing National Remembrance

This resolution is a formal statement from the Senate, serving as a national act of remembrance for the victims of the horrific 2016 terrorist attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It’s not a bill that changes laws or allocates funding; it’s Congress using its voice to acknowledge a tragedy where 49 people were killed and many more were injured. Essentially, the Senate is officially recognizing the pain and resilience of the community and reaffirming a commitment to fighting hate.

The Nation Stands with Orlando

For most people, resolutions like this might seem like bureaucratic formalities, but they carry significant weight for the communities affected. This resolution formally commemorates the 49 lives lost, acknowledging that the attack targeted the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities but was ultimately an attack on the entire country. Florida already designated June 12th as Pulse Remembrance Day, and this resolution reinforces that state-level recognition with national solidarity. It’s the federal government saying, “We see you, and we remember.”

Honoring the Helpers and the Healed

Beyond honoring the victims, the resolution focuses on the people who stepped up. It sends the Senate’s deepest sympathies to the families and friends who lost loved ones, and it specifically honors the many survivors who lived through the attack. Furthermore, it expresses thanks to the courageous law enforcement officers and emergency medical staff—the first responders—who rushed into danger that night. This recognition is important; it’s a public acknowledgment of the extraordinary efforts made by everyday people in a moment of crisis.

A Pledge Against Hate and Terror

Finally, the resolution includes a pledge that the Senate will continue to fight against terrorism and hate in all its forms. While this is a symbolic statement and doesn't create new policy, it serves as a public commitment to the principle of combating the kind of violence that motivated the attack. For the busy person, what this means is that Congress is spending time to ensure that national memory of this tragedy remains a priority, offering symbolic support and validation to the communities that were targeted.