Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey was a strong ally of the NRA, but facing a tough re-election climate in 2016 he decided to moderate his position on "Universal Background Checks" and struck a bargain with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. The compromise bill was quickly opposed by the NRA who will score support for the measure against any who support it.
Several hours after gun control fans heralded the NRA's initial reaction to the compromise as a "positive development," the organization's chief lobbyist, Chris Cox, issued a letter to senators warning against voting to allow debate on the gun control legislation to continue.
"Given the importance of these issues, votes on all anti-gun amendments or proposals will be considered in NRA's future candidate evaluations," Cox wrote of the gun control legislation titled S. 649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013.
"We hope the Senate will replace the current provisions of S. 649 with language that is properly focused on addressing mental health inadequacies; prosecuting violent criminals; and keeping our kids safe in their schools. Should it fail to do so, the NRA will make an exception to our standard policy of not 'scoring' procedural votes and strongly oppose a cloture motion to move to final passage of S. 649," he added. [Washington Examiner]
The vote today will be to break the filibuster and to allow the bill to move forward, the 'procedural vote' referenced above. It takes 60 senators to break the filibuster. Some say they have the numbers to move the bill forward and to a debate.
Whether the bill gets passed or not is another question. But a vote to break the filibuster will cost senators dearly. A high rating on the NRA scorecard is coveted by elected officials at all levels. By including this procedural vote in their scoring the NRA is making a very strong move.
To support the NRA in this effort you can go to their website and make a small donation by clicking here.
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