Minutes ago Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sent out the above tweets, saying he will “ensure that a ban on assault weapons, limits to high-capacity magazines, and mental health provisions receive votes.”
“Reid plans to tee up a vote on a package in early April, the first floor fight over guns in the wake of deadly mass killings, including at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., late last year,” Politico minutes ago reported:
The plan would also expand sanctions on illegal transfers of firearms, beef up school safety and include provisions to broaden background checks, though it will not include a controversial ban on assault weapons.
Reid said he would allow amendments limiting high-capacity magazines and a ban on assault weapons, though their chances on the floor are grim.
It also remains to be seen whether Reid can cobble together a coalition to overcome the 60 votes needed to break a potential filibuster from Republicans and even some red-state Democrats.
91 percent of all Americans want universal background checks. The vast majority of Americans — fifty-seven percent — support the assault weapons ban.
If Harry Reid cannot get 60 votes to pass the assault weapons ban, he sure can force a vote –or a filibuster.
Let’s get the cowards on the record.