With the future of a Democratic gun control bill in doubt, Senate leaders set votes for Wednesday afternoon on a series of high profile gun restrictions, as backers struggled to salvage a bipartisan plan designed to expand background checks on gun sales over the internet and at gun shows.
"It’s time to vote," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
But after declaring earlier in the day that Democrats had momentum on gun control, the vote count numbers just did not seem to bear out that optimism; that was demonstrated in the frustrated statements of some Democrats.
"I honestly just didn't believe GOP Senators would turn their back on 90% of Americans," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on Twitter, referring to polls that showed overwhelming support for expanded background checks.
"I was naive," Murphy said.
While vote counts varied in the halls of the Capitol, Democrats seemed to be between 5-8 votes short of the 60 needed for approval of the background check plan, which had been worked out last week by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).
Asked about the prospects of his plan, Toomey was tight lipped as he encountered reporters off the Senate floor on Tuesday afternoon.
"We're working on it," Toomey said, quickly moving past reporters who sought an update.
"Let me grab an elevator; excuse me," Toomey said, seemingly not interested in breaking down the votes for and against his background check plan.
Toomey and Manchin had enlisted the help of ex-Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) on Tuesday, as she met with Democratic Senators to push for adopting of the background check plan.
But there were still about a half dozen Democrats from red states who did not seem ready to support the background check plan, as Senators from both parties kept poking holes in the effort.
"Despite the good faith efforts of Senators Manchin and Toomey, the onerous paperwork and expansion of federal power mandated in this legislation are too great of a concern," said Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), one vote that backers had been hoping to win over.
"I believe that this legislation could lead to the creation of a national gun registry and puts additional burdens on law-abiding citizens," Heller added in a written statement.
"I just believe the Second Amendment gives people the right to bear arms, it's pretty clear," said Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE).
Along with the background check plan, the Senate will vote Wednesday on as many as nine different gun provisions, including a Democratic bid for a ban on assault weapons, as well as limits on the size of ammunition magazines.
Defeat is expected for both of those plans as well.
Republicans meanwhile will offer amendments that would make it easier for veterans to be allowed to erase red flags that prevent them from buying weapons, a plan on mental health and the instant background check system, and one that would force states to recognize concealed-carry weapons permits from all other states.
It was not clear if the plan from Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) would be able to gain 60 votes - but a similar plan did get 58 back in 2009, with a number of Democrats on board.
With the future of a Democratic gun control bill in doubt, Senate leaders set votes for Wednesday afternoon on a series of high profile gun restrictions, as backers struggled to salvage a bipartisan plan designed to expand background checks on gun sales over the internet and at gun shows. "It’s ...
