Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) told his Senate counterparts on Wednesday that he would not immediately impose gun control measures after two mass shootings in Buffalo and Uwalde, Texas, because he did not expect them to gather enough republican votes to pass.
Instead, the Democrat leader said he would wait for Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) And other members of his group to try to negotiate a bipartisan compromise with Republicans on a measure that has a better chance of securing 60 votes in favor. overcoming filibuster.
“There are some who want this body to quickly pass sensible gun safety legislation, legislation backed by the vast majority of Americans,” he said. “They want to see this body vote quickly so that the American people know which side each senator is on … I sympathize with this and believe that accountability votes are important.”
But Sumer said he believed the introduction of gun control legislation immediately after Buffalo and Uwalde, where two lone gunmen left a total of 31 killed in 10 days, would be fruitless due to strong Republican opposition to such reforms.
He noted that Republicans opposed proposals to expand inspections, a ban on assault weapons and a ban on high-capacity magazines after a gunman killed 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012.
“If the massacre of students cannot persuade Republicans to oppose the NRA, what can we do?” He said, referring to the National Rifle Association.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case with the American people, who now know where their senators stand. They know. They know because my Republican colleagues are very clear on this. Crystal clear. ”
“Republicans are not pretending to support sensible gun safety legislation. “They’re not pretending to be thrilled that 90 percent of Americans, regardless of party, support something as common sense as past checks that the vast majority of gun owners support the past checks bill,” he said.
Sumer said he would keep the law aloud to give Murphy and other colleagues a chance to negotiate a bipartisan law that has a better chance of adoption.
“Americans can vote in November for senators or members of Congress who reflect on how he or she stands with a gun,” he said. “In the meantime, my Republican colleagues can now work with us. I know this is a weak prospect, very thin, too weak. We have been burned so many times before. But it’s so important. ”
One promising candidate for action is the Red Flag legislation drafted by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) And Lindsey Graham (RS.C.), which will authorize and establish procedures to remove firearms from people deemed to be danger to themselves or others.
Graham and centrist Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) sponsored Blumenthal’s Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order at the last congress.
Schumer expressed hope that Republicans would support gun violence at some point in the future, even if he saw no chance of accepting reform proposals soon.
“I have such a firm faith, taught to me by my late father, that if you do the right thing and persevere, justice will eventually prevail. But you have to keep persevering and we will do it, “he said.
He suggested the faint hope that Murphy and Senator Joe Manchin (DW.Va.), who negotiated a close bill to expand inspections with Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) In 2013, would be able to reach some kind of agreement. with Republicans over the next few weeks or months.
“Democrats are trying to work hard with Republicans, Senator Murphy, Senator Manchin, on legislation that will eventually be passed and become law,” he said. “The other side has refused. There are so many options available to us. So many ideas. We just need brave Republicans to stand up to history and call for a halt.
Murphy told reporters Thursday that he would like to get 10 Republican votes to pass the bill so he doesn’t seek a quick vote on gun control legislation, which is likely to fall apart along party lines and fail.
“Right now my focus is on getting results, so I’m not ready to pass that on to the electorate. “I would like to find a way forward with Republicans and Democrats next week, and if we fail – and we haven’t succeeded before – then it certainly becomes a choice for voters,” he said.
However, Murphy’s colleague from his home state, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Is ready to put Republican senators – and even moderate Democrats – on the agenda by putting the legislation on the floor.
“We must move forward. Democrats have a number of realistic, sensible proposals to stop this unnecessarily pointless violence. I really hope we get together. Everything we’ve heard from Republicans is negative. But we must act. To enroll our colleagues, “he said.
Blumenthal also suggested that the Senate miss the Remembrance Day break to draft a bill for the word.
The Hill report at 12:30 – Weapons debate intensifies after Uwalde tragedy Watch live: Abbot, other officials hold a press briefing on the Uwalde school shooting
“I think we need to move forward as soon as possible,” he said.
“Include people in the protocol, and Americans have a right to know where we are in terms of stopping gun violence, and we will do so as soon as possible,” he said.
-Kelsey Carolan contributed to this report, which was updated at 12:13 p.m.
Add Comment