Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Ky.) said on Monday that it's a time for "national mourning" after at least 59 people were killed during a mass shooting in Las Vegas Sunday night.

"The news we awoke to this morning was heartbreaking. What happened in Las Vegas is shocking, it's tragic and for those affected and their families it's devastating. It's hard to even imagine their pain," McConnell said from the Senate floor.

He added while investigators continue to probe the shooting that took place at a country music festival "this is a moment for national mourning and for prayer."

In addition to the 59 people killed, more than 520 were injured, making the incident the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

ADVERTISEMENT

The shooting has led to an outpouring of condolences from GOP lawmakers and sparked a renewed push for tougher gun control and background check measures from Democrats.

The Senate also held a brief moment of silence for victims of the shooting ahead of McConnell's comments.

Senate chaplain Barry Black opened the Senate asking for "mercy" for the victims of the shooting during his daily prayer.

"Today guide our senators and use them as ambassadors of reconciliation in our nation and world," Black said.