Senate votes to overcome a GOP filibuster, gun legislation debate to commence
A gun control bill that no one has read as of today will come to the Senate floor after a vote of 68-31, allowing Senate Democrats, with the 16 Republicans who voted with them, to get and exceed the 60 votes they needed after all to overcome a GOP filibuster.
Republicans, from both sides of the issue responded.
Senators Mike Lee (UT), Rand Paul (KY) and Ted Cruz (TX) released the following statement regarding the pending vote on the motion to proceed to new gun control legislation:
“This morning the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to the firearms bill (S.649). It is expected that the Toomey-Manchin provision announced yesterday will replace the current language regarding background checks. Yet, as of this morning, not a single senator has been provided the legislative language of this provision. Because the background-check measure is the centerpiece of this legislation it is critical that we know what is in the bill before we vote on it. The American people expect more and deserve better.
“Unfortunately, the effort to push through legislation that no one had read highlights one of the primary reasons we announced our intention to force a 60 vote threshold. We believe the abuse of the process is how the rights of Americans are systematically eroded and we will continue to do everything in our power to prevent it.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the following:
“Today the Senate will vote on whether to invoke cloture on proceeding to S. 649. I will vote against invoking cloture, and I’d like to explain why.
“I believe the government should focus on keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and those with mental issues that could cause them to be a threat to society. The government should not punish or harass law-abiding citizens in the exercise of their Second Amendment rights.
“Unfortunately, S. 649 has that focus backwards.”
The 16 Republican Senators who voted with the Democrats are
- Lindsey Graham (SC),
- Lamar Alexander (TN) ,
- Kelly Ayotte (NH),
- Richard Burr (NC) ,
- Saxby Chambliss (GA),
- John McCain (AZ) ,
- Tom Coburn (OK) ,
- Susan Collins (ME),
- Bob Corker (TN),
- Jeff Flake (AZ),
- John Hoeven (ND),
- Johnny Isakson (GA),
- Dean Heller (NV),
- Mark Kirk (IL) ,
- Pat Toomey (PA) and
- Roger Wicker (MS).
Lindsey Graham said the following:
“I welcome a debate on the Second Amendment in the United States Senate. I want to proceed to this bill. I want to debate it. I am not afraid.”
Tom Coburn said:
“Today’s vote was an opportunity for senators to do what they were elected to do and begin debate on a critical issue in our country. Today’s vote was simply a vote to begin debate and not an endorsement of the current bill. I will not support ending debate and moving to final passage of any bill that compromises the Second Amendment rights or the privacy of law abiding citizens.
“I look forward to offering multiple amendments in the coming days, including an amendment to replace the unworkable Manchin-Toomey with a proposal that will protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights while giving law abiding citizens the tools they need to make sure they aren’t transferring a firearm to someone who will be a threat to themselves or others. I also intend to offer or support amendments to protect the Second Amendment rights of veterans and Americans who have concealed carry permits, among other issues. Today’s vote enables me to offer those amendments, and help give the American people the debate they deserve.”
Lamar Alexander said:
“I’m always ready to defend and debate the Second Amendment constitutional rights of Tennesseans. In fact, I look forward to sponsoring and voting for amendments that strengthen those rights. To be unwilling to defend and debate
Second Amendment rights on the Senate floor would be like joining the Grand Ole Opry and being unwilling to sing.”
[…] of the main reasons that Senators Paul, Lee and Cruz were going to filibuster the bill. Here’s part of a statement released by those 3 […]
[…] of the main reasons that Senators Paul, Lee and Cruz were going to filibuster the bill. Here’s part of a statement released by those 3 […]
We voted the Republicans in to kick The Democrats A– not kiss it
where did these idiots come from we must find out because there could be more, they need to be ousted from this country asap 111111111
You may read the full text of the original bill and the proposed amendment, here: http://timpanogos.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/shutup-and-read-text-of-s-649-safe-communities-safe-schools-act-of-2013/