Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) said on Sunday that Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is not helping the effort to pass gun reform legislation.
“I do think Beto O’Rourke does not help things,” Toomey said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
O’Rourke, a former Texas congressman, has come out in support of a mandatory gun buyback program for assault-style weapons, such as those that have been used in many of the nation’s deadly mass shootings. {mosads}
While few of O’Rourke’s presidential primary opponents have also come out in support of a similar plan, O’Rourke has been criticized from both sides of the aisle for his strong rhetoric during the debate earlier this month, when he said, “hell yes we’re going to take your AR-15, AK-47.”
“That’s not helpful to this conversation,” Toomey said on Sunday.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), however, on the same show pushed back on the criticism that O’Rourke may have set back the gun reform fight with his comments.
“I think Republicans who don’t want to vote for a background checks bill are going to look for any excuse to do it. Beto’s comments may be their latest hook, but the fact of the matter is if Donald Trump supports a bill that expands background checks we will get 60 votes for it in the Senate,” Murphy said.
A spokesperson for O’Rourke’s campaign was not immediately available for comment.
He has continued to defend his remarks in the wake of pushback within his party, saying a ban on assault-style weapons would not affect those weapons already purchased.
Toomey and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) co-authored background checks legislation in 2013 and the House passed a universal background check bill in February.
The Pennsylvania Republican said on Sunday that he’s “hopeful” the legislation he co-authored may pass soon.
“Look I think there’s momentum now we didn’t have before,” he said, adding that there is “broader interest among Republican senators.”
“I am hopeful and going to keep pushing,” Toomey said.
Several Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-Ky.), have said they won’t support a bill that Trump has not said he would support.
Trump has flip-flopped on his support for a background check bill in recent weeks.
NBC host Chuck Todd asked Toomey if at some point Republicans have to force Trump’s hand and vote on a bill.
“Well the problem is if we attempt to force the president’s hand and pass something it very well might not pass,” Toomey said.
–This report was updated at 11:55 a.m.