Senate watchers had better settle in for a long ride because Democrats have taken the floor for a filibuster. Gun control sits on the table after the Orlando nightclub shooting left 49 people dead. Questions still surround the gunman’s motive and likely will for some time. In the meantime, folks want to know why the American-born Omar Mateen — who periodically appeared on FBI watchlists — was able to purchase weaponry the week before the massacre. A few years ago, the FBI interviewed Mateen twice because of his ties to a suicide bomber but couldn’t connect the proper dots. On Monday, Director James Comey explained how Mateen seemed radicalized but confused, for he pledged solidarity to both ISIS and parties who oppose the Islamic State.
That muddled mess may ride forever, but Senate Democrats aren’t waiting around for the next mass shooting to happen. Connecticut’s Chris Murphy expressed his intent earlier this morning.
I am prepared to stand on the Senate floor and talk about the need to prevent gun violence for as long as I can. I've had #Enough
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 15, 2016
Murphy took the floor at about 11 a.m. ET to force a gun control agreement with Republicans. He spoke of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, which hits close to home: “I live every single day with the memory of Sandy Hook.” Then he vowed to keep talking as long as humanly possible:
“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 is pushing for universal background checks and a ban on gun sales for suspected terrorists. He’s not keen on simply tacking gun amendments onto a spending bill (that the Senate will soon consider), so he’s demanding that both sides come to a true agreement. Murphy’s in for a long haul but will likely be joined by Richard Blumenthal (also from Connecticut) and Cory Booker (from New Jersey), who reveals, “I’ve cleared my entire day. I’ve cleared my evening events.”
Republican John Cornyn, who’s the second in command to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, tells CNN that they’re taking the filibuster seriously and are addressing a compromise: “We’re working pretty feverishly. It’s pretty clear Democrats aren’t going to let us do anything until we deal with this issue.” Meanwhile, Ted Cruz may be squirming in his seat and wishing he could be ranting away too.
Here are the opening minutes of the filibuster. How long will the Dems go?