Watch Live Now: Senate Democrats Filibuster Bill Until Republicans Agree to Discuss Gun Control

Democrats in the U.S. Senate Are Refusing to Leave Until Republicans Allow a Discussion on Gun Control

Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut at 11:20 AM Wednesday began a filibuster on the Senate floor, promising Democrats will not leave until Republicans agree to discuss gun control.

“I’m going to remain on this floor until we get some signal, some sign that we can come together on these two measures, that we can get a path forward on addressing this epidemic in a meaningful, bipartisan way,” Murphy said, as Politico reported. 

The Senate, Murphy said, should “not proceed with debate on amendments to this bill until we have figured out a way to come together on, at the very least, two simple ideas.”

Those two ideas: preventing suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms, requiring universal background checks.

“Senator Murphy and Senate Democrats are holding the floor because they will not accept inaction or half measures in the face of continued slaughter,” Sen. Murphy’s spokesman said. “Congress cannot sit on the sidelines while killers freely buy weapons to brutally murder the people Congress is supposed to be protecting.”

“I’ve cleared my entire day,” Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey offered. “I’ve cleared my evening events … so that I can stay on this floor and support Sen. Murphy.”

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, also of Connecticut, scene of the Sandy Hook massacre that took the lives of 20 first grade children and seven school officials in 2012, also took to the floor in support.

Watch live above.