President Joe Biden spoke directly to the families of those killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School nine years ago, saying the nation owed families of mass shootings “more than our prayers." contending "we owe them action.”

Biden said it was one of the “saddest days” he and former President Barack Obama had in office, but they did find hope in the strength of the families and felt they could pass meaningful reform, but it came up short.

A White House official says Biden shares the frustration that congress has not acted on gun control, while pointing to the administration’s multifaceted approach to preventing gun violence from enforcement to addressing systemic and root causes.

Biden also hopes communities use some of the money from his large spending plan to help end gun violence.