“President Obama makes a statement from the Rose Garden following the Senate’s vote to block common-sense measures to reduce gun violence. April 17, 2013.” Among other comments, a rightfully angry President Obama called this a “shameful day for Washington,” asked “who are we here to represent?”, said “the American people are trying to figure out how can something have 90 percent support and yet not happen,” and noted today’s Senate #FAIL “came down to politics – the worry that that vocal minority of gun owners would come after them in future elections.”
Also, for the record, here’s how Virginia’s two U.S. Senators voted on Manchin-Toomey and the other gun measures today. Every one of these was rejected, as they couldn’t reach 60 votes for “cloture.” Great Democracy we’ve got, huh?
1. Manchin-Toomey (background checks): Warner and Kaine both voted “aye,” along with the vast majority of Democrats.
2. Grassley amendment: Warner and Kaine both voted “nay,” along with the vast majority of Democrats.
3. Leahy amendment (“To increase public safety by punishing and deterring firearms trafficking.”): Kaine and Warner both voted “aye,” as did all Democrats.
4. Cornyn amendment (“To allow reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.”): Kaine voted “nay,” along with the vast majority of Democrats; Warner voted “aye,” as did all Republicans except for Senator Kirk of Illinois. Thanks to Tim Kaine. Huge #FAIL to Mark Warner on this one. Ugh.
5. Feinstein amendment (“To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.”): Kaine voted “aye,” Warner once again voted “nay.” Again, thanks to Tim Kaine, another huge #FAIL to Mark Warner. Godawful.
6. Burr amendment (“To protect the Second Amendment rights of veterans and their families.”): Kaine and Warner both voted “nay,” along with most Democrats.
7. Lautenberg amendment (“To regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices.”): Kaine voted “aye” with most Democrats; Warner again voted the wrong way (“nay”), mostly with Republicans. Blech.
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