Senate Republicans invoked the filibuster rule to block legislation that would strengthen background checks for gun purchasers. U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, D-Va., each issued statements following the moves.
Statement from U.S. Sen. Mark Warner:
“It’s very disappointing that we could not reach 60 votes in the Senate for the reasonable, bipartisan legislation to strengthen background checks. The compromise put forward by Sens. Manchin and Toomey would have closed the gun show loophole and prohibited the commercial sale of guns to those who are seriously mentally ill or have a criminal record while also upholding Second Amendment rights.
“I also am disappointed that, one day after the sixth anniversary of the Virginia Tech tragedy, the vote against the Manchin-Toomey compromise jeopardizes passage of the underlying gun safety bill , which includes our bipartisan CAMPUS Safety Act. I will continue to fight for passage of this commonsense approach to better coordinate research and resources to help provide a safer campus environment for students.”
Statement from U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine:
“On the sixth anniversary of the horrible shootings at Virginia Tech yesterday, I took to the Senate floor to remember the 32 Hokies who lost their lives. The tragedy happened after a dangerous young man illegally purchased weapons due to flaws in the background records check system.
“I told the story of Liviu Librescu, a professor who lost his life barricading a classroom door with his body so that his students could escape to safety. I hoped that Professor Librescu’s example of selfless courage would embolden my colleagues to vote to reduce gun violence.
“Instead, a minority of the Senate chose to use the filibuster to block a 54-member majority from passing a reasonable expansion of our nation’s criminal background record check system. I’m very disappointed that we missed a chance to make our country safer.”
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Chris Graham
