Senate

Top Senate Dems back compromise gun bill

by Jordain Carney - 06/22/16 4:59 PM ET

The Senate’s top two Democrats are throwing their support behind a proposal — spearheaded by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) — to block suspected terrorists from buying a gun.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) will both support the bill engineered by Collins.

Kristen Orthman, a spokeswoman for Reid, confirmed he will vote for it.

“I support Senator Collins’ legislation to keep guns and explosives out of the hands of terrorists. Even though it may be a small step forward, at least it is a step forward,” Reid said in a statement. “Democrats and Republicans are working together to find solutions and protect Americans from gun violence. The Senate should vote on Senator Collins’ amendment.”

{mosads}Reid’s decision comes after he praised Collins (R-Maine) for trying to find an agreement, calling it a “step in the right direction.”

“It’s imperative that Senator Collins’ legislation get a vote. The amendment from the senior senator from Maine has bipartisan support. At the very at least, it’s a step in the right direction,” he added from the Senate floor.

Reid’s support was first reported by Politico.

It’s not clear whether the Collins measure will win approval from the Senate.

Collins will need 60 votes, including approximately 20 from Republicans. The National Rifle Association opposes the bill, which will make it difficult for Republicans to back it.

Many lawmakers are staying on the fence, saying they need more time to study the legislation and get their questions answered.

The legislation would allow the attorney general to block the sale of a gun if an individual is on the no-fly list or the so-called selectee list, which requires additional screening at an airport. It would also allow the decision to be appealed and would notify the FBI if someone who was the subject of a terror investigation within the past five years buys a gun.

Separately, Durbin praised Collins for showing “extraordinary courage.”

“She’s working on it and I’m working with her. Many of us are supporting her effort, a bipartisan effort and one that’s long overdue,” he said.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is expected to be the next Senate Democratic leader, told reporters Tuesday that there were “fixable problems” with the Collins’ proposal.

On Wednesday, he said he has “every expectation of supporting the bill.”

“I’m all for a bipartisan compromise. There are a few concerns that are being worked on and I believe will be worked out,” he said in a statement.

This story was updated at 6:39 p.m.

Tags Chuck Schumer Dick Durbin Harry Reid Susan Collins