In the midst of the terror news of the week, the U.S. Senate was moving forward on the issue of gun control.
Following a heartfelt radio address from the parents of one of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, as well as a stirring rally in Connecticut with President Obama, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) were pressing for increased background checks prior to the sale of weapons at guns shows and via the Internet. The bipartisan measure was a small, but important step in getting greater control of the out-of-control gun problem in America.
However, bending to the whims of conservative “good ol’ boys” and the NRA, the senate voted down the compromise for expanded background checks, with a vote of 54-46.
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| Sens. Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey |
Among those Democrats who voted against the measure in fear of retaliation in their states were Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, and Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas.
Surprisingly, a number of Republicans actually voted in favor of the amendment, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
As a procedural move, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also voted against the measure, so that he will be allowed by senate rules to bring it up again for a future vote.
