Georgia’s U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff joined their Democrat colleagues – and 14 Republicans – in voting in favor of a sweeping gun control bill that includes expanded background checks for gun buyers under 21, provides grants for states that implement their own red flag laws, and offers additional funding for both school safety measures and mental health services.
The procedural vote sets the stage for a full floor vote later this week, and if the vote totals remain the same, would be filibuster-proof and advance to the House of Representatives.
The bill was authored by Sens. John Cornyn, R-TX, and Chris Murphy, D-CT., and received the support of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY. The legislation came on the heels of a pair of deadly shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, in recent months. It is the first major piece of gun control legislation expected to be passed in several decades.
U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, one of the most high profile gun control advocates in the House, voiced her support for the legislation Wednesday.
“Gun violence is the challenge of our lifetime and the issue of our era, and we must do all we can to keep families together, our communities whole, and our loved ones safe. After my son Jordan was taken from me by gun violence, I promised that I would spend the rest of my life fighting to keep families across America from feeling the pain of losing a loved one,” said McBath. For the first time in almost three decades, Republicans and Democrats have come together to address this epidemic of gun violence, and I am proud of the momentum we are building in this fight to keep our children safe. We cannot wait another moment. We must act now and save lives.”
Should it pass out of the Senate, as expected, it will surely make it through the Democrat-controlled House to President Joe Biden’s desk. Biden has already indicated he plans to sign the bill should it reach him. But expect some Republican opposition to the bill, and keep an eye on what Georgia Republicans vote for it – or don’t.
While McBath and her Democratic colleagues in the House are already on board, some Republicans may join House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-LA, in voting against the legislation. All eight of Georgia’s Republican congressmen voted against a stricter gun control bill earlier this month that passed the House but failed to gain any traction in the Senate, because it was unlikely to get past a filibuster. This new, bipartisan bill does not go quite as far, and will receive some GOP support in the House even if it is not needed to pass.
