06-17-2016, 02:12 PM
Gun Legislation -- Senate Votes on Monday
Like MS, pundits are united in their belief that none of the four bills that will be voted on Monday will get the needed 60 votes to move forward.
I hope they're wrong. If they're right, I hope the public keeps the pressure on lawmakers of both parties, especially Republicans, so that some progress can be made before the end of this year.
This unwillingness to-date of the parties to work together on behalf of the public they're sworn to serve is insane, in my opinion. Universal Background checks, No Sale to Terrorist Suspects, and Stronger Enforcement of Existing Gun Laws are each supported by over 80% of the population, regardless of party affiliation.
The Measures:
1. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., authored the terror watch list measure. It would allow federal investigators to block gun purchases by people who they are scrutinizing for possible links to terrorism.
2. The Senate will also vote on an alternative to Feinstein, sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, that would put in place a three-day delay for gun purchases by people on the terror watch list. Cornyn's bill would require the federal government to prove in court that the purchaser should not own a weapon.
3. A third measure, sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., would require background checks at gun shows.
4. Senators will also consider legislation sponsored by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that aims to increase prosecutions of people who try to illegally purchase guns, and ensure those will mental illness can't buy them.
Senators will vote on the measures as amendments to the fiscal 2017 Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies spending bill.
While there may be majorities for some of these ideas, the Monday votes are votes to end debate on the proposals, which require a 60-vote supermajority, a steep hurdle given how split the two parties are between the proposals. If any do get 60 votes, the next step would be a vote to add them to the spending bill.
The Republicans have long been critical of expanding background checks, making it unlikely Murphy's bill will pass. In the House, Republicans say they have no plans to take up legislation that would block people on the terror watch list from buying guns.
Ref: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/senate...le/2594154
Like MS, pundits are united in their belief that none of the four bills that will be voted on Monday will get the needed 60 votes to move forward.
I hope they're wrong. If they're right, I hope the public keeps the pressure on lawmakers of both parties, especially Republicans, so that some progress can be made before the end of this year.
This unwillingness to-date of the parties to work together on behalf of the public they're sworn to serve is insane, in my opinion. Universal Background checks, No Sale to Terrorist Suspects, and Stronger Enforcement of Existing Gun Laws are each supported by over 80% of the population, regardless of party affiliation.
The Measures:
1. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., authored the terror watch list measure. It would allow federal investigators to block gun purchases by people who they are scrutinizing for possible links to terrorism.
2. The Senate will also vote on an alternative to Feinstein, sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn, that would put in place a three-day delay for gun purchases by people on the terror watch list. Cornyn's bill would require the federal government to prove in court that the purchaser should not own a weapon.
3. A third measure, sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., would require background checks at gun shows.
4. Senators will also consider legislation sponsored by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that aims to increase prosecutions of people who try to illegally purchase guns, and ensure those will mental illness can't buy them.
Senators will vote on the measures as amendments to the fiscal 2017 Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies spending bill.
While there may be majorities for some of these ideas, the Monday votes are votes to end debate on the proposals, which require a 60-vote supermajority, a steep hurdle given how split the two parties are between the proposals. If any do get 60 votes, the next step would be a vote to add them to the spending bill.
The Republicans have long been critical of expanding background checks, making it unlikely Murphy's bill will pass. In the House, Republicans say they have no plans to take up legislation that would block people on the terror watch list from buying guns.
Ref: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/senate...le/2594154