Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz Jason ChaffetzThe myth of the conservative bestseller Elijah Cummings, Democratic chairman and powerful Trump critic, dies at 68 House Oversight panel demands DeVos turn over personal email records MORE (R-Utah) said he thinks the survivors of the Florida high school shooting who returned to school Wednesday need a "belief in God and Jesus Christ," noting that he thinks it "would help" and that the survivors need "something more."

During an interview on Fox News, Chaffetz was asked about what it meant for lawmakers to take a pause from their day to reflect and honor the life of the late evangelist Billy Graham.

Chaffetz said he was "proud" to see people honoring Graham, adding that Graham impacted millions of lives.

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"We need more good news, more good message, more of the good word reaching out to America," Chaffetz said on Fox News.

"I think of those kids who went back to school today after that horrific shooting, and they need something more. They need a belief in God and Jesus Christ. I think that would help. And this is a historic moment."

His comments came after 17 people were killed last month when a gunman opened fire at a high school in Florida.

The students returned to school Wednesday for the first time since the shooting.

Since the shooting, students have become vocal advocates for gun control, demanding that lawmakers act and pass new gun laws, sparking a nationwide debate on the issue.