SEATTLE — President Barack Obama told Democratic donors in Seattle that “it’s up to you” after the failure to move ahead with gun legislation in the wake of the shootings in Orlando, Fla.
Obama spoke Friday night at a fundraiser for Gov. Jay Inslee, the first of two events he was headlining for Democratic candidates in the state.
Obama hopes to help his party make inroads in state races and in Congress by raising money for their campaigns.
Forty-nine people were killed June 12 in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
Obama also blames setbacks on immigration reform on Republicans and says a 4-4 deadlock by the Supreme Court on his immigration actions stems from Republicans declining to take up the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland.
Obama spoke to about 3,000 people at the Washington State Convention Center.
Trains protest
Protesters objecting to crude oil shipments on Northwest railways briefly interrupted him.
The president paused when hecklers shouted, urging him to use his authority to stop the trains. He cupped his ear to hear better and then said he heard them: “You made your point, but can I go on now?”
An oil train derailment in the Columbia River Gorge on June 3 released 42,000 gallons of crude oil and sparked a massive fire. Federal officials have blamed Union Pacific Railroad for not properly maintaining the tracks.
Environmentalists and local leaders — including Inslee — have called for a moratorium on transporting oil by rail until safety issues are addressed.
Obama revisited the outburst in closing as he encouraged people to stay engaged in keeping the country on a progressive path.
“We don’t have the luxury of just popping off and saying whatever comes to the top of our heads. Don’t have time for that. Every one of you will always have another list of things for me to do,” he said, gesturing to the audience in a clear reference to the oil train appeal.
“With steady, persistent, collective effort, things get better,” he said.
Later Friday evening, Obama was heading to a private dinner to raise money for the Democratic Congressional Committee.