"We'll have a moment of silence," Congressman James Comer said in the House Oversight Committee seconds after being made aware of the shooting.
Kentucky leaders on both sides of the aisle quickly condemned the attack in online messages.
Gov. Andy Beshear wrote that political violence has no place in the U.S. and it "further tears our country apart." He ended by saying. "Violence is always wrong. Period."
Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey echoed that sentiment and asked all Kentuckians and Americans to pray for Kirk's family, adding that political violence "cannot be normalized."
Republican Rep. Andy Barr wrote that he was "horrified" by the attack while Sen. Rand Paul posted that he was heartbroken by the news, calling Kirk a "icon to so many young Americans."
Barr's fellow Republicans running for Sen. McConnell's seat also weighed in — with former Attorney General Daniel Cameron saying "the devil is at work" and the nation must repent and return to Jesus while businessman Nate Morris also called for prayers for Kirk's family.
Kirk was the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. The Associated Press reports he died after being shot Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University.