Friday, April 12, 2013

GUN CONTROL - Senate Republican Filibuster Fails

"Senate Blocks Attempt to Prevent Debate on Gun Legislation" PBS Newshour 4/11/2013

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  With families of the Newtown shooting victims looking on, Congress moved closer to coming up with a comprehensive bill for reducing gun violence.  The Senate blocked an attempt to prevent debate on the subject.  Judy Woodruff reports on what measures the bill may include.

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour):  The full U.S. Senate officially took up gun control today.  Supporters swept aside a procedural hurdle and began what is likely to be a long struggle to craft a final bill.

SEN. HARRY REID, D-Nev., Majority Leader:  The hard work starts now.

JUDY WOODRUFF:  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speaking moments after senators rejected efforts to prevent debate on new gun legislation.  It required at least 60 votes and the final margin easily exceeded that.

MAN:  On this vote, the yeas are 68, the nays are 31.

JUDY WOODRUFF:  Sixteen Republicans joined all but two Democrats in the majority.   Reid had acknowledged powerful feelings on both sides.

Still, he said:

SEN. HARRY REID:  But whichever side you are on, we ought to be able to agree to exchange thoughtful debate about these measures.  Let's engage in it.

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