Congressman Jim Langevin presiding over the House of Representatives on the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Photo by Leader Nancy Pelosi via Flickr)

Members of the House also began considering a resolution to memorialize the victims and thank those who helped apprehend Jared Lee Loughner, the man accused opening fire at a supermarket Saturday in Arizona.

"Look at Tucson right now and you will be reminded that America's most plentiful source of strength is her people," said House Speaker John Boehner. "No act, no matter how heinous, will stop us from doing our duty and being among the people we serve."

The resolution reaffirms the principles of democracy, calling on lawmakers to put aside their differences and emphasizing the American right to peaceable assembly.

"May this resolution remind of us of the urgent need to uphold our democratic values to treat one another with courtesy and respect," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

A vote on the resolution is expected to take place later Wendnesday just hours before President Obama is scheduled to speak at the University of Arizona to honor the victims of the shooting.

Originally, the House had planned to vote on a measure that would the repeal Obama's health care bill titled "Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act." But in response to the shooting, all legislative business was postponed.