Echoing the sentiments of Sen. John McCain, a leading House Republican on Tuesday blasted the increasingly popular idea of filibustering any gun control measures in the Senate.
Rep. Peter King, New York Republican, said that he supports universal background checks for all gun purchases, but even if he didn’t, he’d oppose plans to block the measure from even coming up for debate or for a vote.
“Let this come to a debate,” Mr. King said on CNN Tuesday morning. “Even if it doesn’t go down the way I want it to, I think the American people are entitled to a debate. To me, to use Senate rules to block a debate on an issue of this importance is just wrong. It’s not like something is trying to be [sneaked] through here.”
Thirteen Senate Republicans, including Sens. Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, are willing to launch a filibuster to block any bills that “will serve as a vehicle for any additional gun restrictions.”
Congressional Democrats and the White House have bashed that plan. Mr. McCain, Arizona Republican, said over the weekend that his GOP colleagues should allow the Senate floor debate to take place partly because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he’ll allow amendments to be put forth.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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