The Senate today moved forward with a critical piece of the Obama administration's gun safety proposals, CBS News reported. The Senate voted 68-31 to begin debate on a bill that would significantly expand background checks for gun sales. It surpassed the 60-vote needed with support of several Republicans
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was able to overcome the Republican-led filibuster attempt that aimed to block a full Senate vote of the bill. The legislation is expected to eventually garner the 50-vote majority needed to pass, though the timing of a final vote is unclear.
"Some of them are going to take a little bit of time," Reid said Wednesday. "We're not going to finish the bill this week. I don't know if we'll finish it next week."
The legislation,is the product of a hard-fought campaign to override the vocal group of Republicans pledging to block any legislation that would at all strengthen regulations on gun ownership, news reports said.
Wednesday marked a major turning point for the bill's prospects, when Republican Senator Pat Toomey, announced his support for a version of the bill that would include an amendment he co-sponsored with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin.They worked on a bipartisan gun measure designed to appeal to a broader range of lawmakers than the current proposal. Their plan expands the requirement for federal background checks for more gun purchases.
"We have a responsibility to safeguard these little kids. And unless we do something more than what's the law today, we have failed," Senator Reid said before the vote.
Families of the 20 children slain in Newtown, Connecticut, in December have been meeting undecided senators to lobby them to debate the legislation. "We bring a face to this tragedy," said Mark Barden, whose seven-year-old son, Daniel was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"It's not just about our tragedy. Lots of kids are killed every day in this nation. We have to help lead the change," Barden added.
Opinion polls have consistently shown most Americans support more gun control measures, but the National Rifle Association, and gun advocates wield a powerful influence over lawmakers.
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