No filibuster: 16 Republicans vote to let gun control bill proceed in Senate

GUN CONTROL
APRIL 11, 2013
BY: JOE NEWBY



John McCain, Lindsey Graham vote to block filibuster on gun control bill.
Credits: Getty Images

On Thursday, the Senate voted to end thefilibuster on a major gun control proposal being brought for consideration. Sixteen Republicans joined 50 Democrats and one Independent in a lopsided 68-31 vote that brought the threatened filibuster to an end,The Blaze reported.

According to USA Today, the 16 Republicans were Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Susan Collins of Maine, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Dean Heller of Nevada, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Mark Kirk of Illinois, John McCain of Arizona, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

After the vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid praised Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for attacking the filibuster last Sunday.

“I don’t understand it,” McCain told “Face the Nation.” “The purpose of the United States Senate is to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we stand.”

"I welcome a debate on the Second Amendment in the United States Senate. I want to proceed to this bill. I want to debate it. I'm not afraid," Lindsey Graham tweeted Thursday.

Three Republicans -- Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas -- said they forced the cloture vote because the gun control bill was unfinished, USA Today said.

"We believe the abuse of the process is how the rights of Americans are systematically eroded and we will continue to do everything in our power to prevent it," they said in a statement.

Senate rules still require 30 hours of debate, and the three senators said they intend to draw out as much debate on the measure as long as possible.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, voted against cloture and said that existing laws need to be enforced.

“I adhere to my firm belief that the federal government cannot deny a law-abiding citizen his or her Second Amendment right,” he said. “Current gun laws simply need to be enforced, rather than implementing a sweeping gun control package that will further hinder a citizen’s ability to own and operate a firearm. Additional gun control will not reduce violence and mass shootings in this country. Safeguarding the public should begin with enforcing and perfecting current laws while improving our mental health standards and addressing our culture of violence. ”

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