Lawmakers on both sides face enormous pressure to take action after the horrific shooting, but members on both sides acknowledge the difficult battle to find common ground given the highly polarized political climate over gun law and widespread opposition from the Republican Party. -Strict control of weapons.
Importantly, however, McConnell decided to assess and give the green light to bipartisan efforts for a potential legislative response to the shooting. But it remains to be seen what, if anything, the negotiations will lead to, given that countless mass shootings in recent years have failed to break the guerrilla stalemate over arms policy in Congress.
McConnell would not say specifically what the outlines of this legislation should be, instead signaling that he wants Cornin to be the one to negotiate.
“I met with Senator Cornin this morning. As you know, he went home yesterday to see family members and begin to establish the facts of this horrific massacre, and I encouraged him to speak with Senator Murphy and Senator Cinema and others who are interested in trying to achieve a result that is directly related to the problem. “I hope we can find a two-party solution,” McConnell told CNN.
Legislation in response to mass shootings and countering gun violence has long been one of the most divisive and intractable political issues facing lawmakers.
Cornin said earlier Thursday that he would meet today with Murphy, one of the most prominent Democrats on arms policy, to see what could be worked on. He and Murphy have actually met in the last year on this issue and will try to resume some of their conversations.
He said he did not know if they could get there through past checks or other accounts, but said “we hope this will provide a new, greater sense of urgency”.
Cornin also said he did not want to see the shooting used as a way to violate gun rights.
“There is a whole list of things we can look at, but I think that especially mental health, access to mental health treatment is at the top of that list,” he said, adding: “I think we need to be open to everything. , regardless of the evidence leads us. I would say that this is not an excuse for violating the rights of the Second Amendment to lawful citizens who do nothing to correct tragedies like this. ”
Talks “just starting”
Later Thursday, Cornin said he had “touched gloves” with Murphy and that their talks were “just beginning.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats were ready to devote some time and space to efforts to reach some sort of bipartisan compromise on arms legislation, although he noted the chances were high. He also made it clear that these efforts will not be given unlimited implementation time.
“We have to try everything. We must not leave a single stone unturned,” Sumer said earlier on Thursday.
He added, however, that “this is not an invitation to hold talks indefinitely. Make no mistake, if these talks do not bear fruit in a short period of time, the Senate will vote on gun safety legislation.”
Senate Democrats took steps Tuesday night to include in the legislative calendar two House of Representatives-approved bills to check the past so they can be voted on. However, it is unclear when the Senate can vote on the measures and they are not expected to overcome the Republican’s filibuster.
Murphy described his efforts as saying, “Today we will have a series of meetings to set the table for next week and then we will work really hard to try to find a bipartisan product.”
However, he sounded cautious, like Sumer, adding, “I will not negotiate forever.”
“I’ve been through this before,” he said. “I know that sometimes Republicans are more interested in talking than doing, so if we don’t make any progress by the end of next week, then I’ll say it in a dream. Sumer, it’s time to vote. And sen. Schumer is committed to having votes in the Senate in one way or another on issues such as background checks. “
Many Democrats are optimistic about the prospects, despite the extremely long chances of any kind of agreement.
Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate West Virginia Democrat, called the bipartisan arms reform meeting “very encouraging.”
He said participating members were looking at “a little of everything” – such as expanding past scrutiny and red flag laws – to see what bipartisan support could be.
Asked if he believes Democrats can attract 10 Republicans, he said he “always” believes they will. “Stop thinking about politics and can you be elected by these votes. This is basically to protect children. If they can’t get to that, they have to dig deep, deep inside, and understand why the hell we’re here. “
Most laws require at least 10 Republican votes to overcome a Senate filibuster, given the current split between 50-50 parties.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who has been involved in arms reform talks with colleagues on both sides of the aisle for years, said Thursday when asked about red flag laws and other weapons measures that ” for the first time, “he and Cornin and other fellow Republicans are” serious “after the Texas shooting.
“That’s the main reason for my encouragement,” he said. “I hope we now reach this critical mass, which will lead us to 60 votes. I hope for the first time in a long time.”
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