What Sen. Murphy’s Filibuster Accomplished This is a huge spotlight on the Senate’s response to

[Cha]

Orlando.

Chris Murphy
✔ ?@ChrisMurphyCT
I am proud to announce that after 14+ hours on the floor, we will have a vote on closing the terror gap & universal background checks
7:53 PM - 15 Jun 2016
22,894 22,894 Retweets 38,577 38,577 likes

snip//

He realized his goal: the Senate will vote on the two issues he highlighted. Throughout the day yesterday, Murphy noted that there are many other things Democrats hope to do to curb gun violence. Closing the terror gap and universal background checks are the two things that have extremely broad-based support in the general public and therefore, should be a “no-brainer.” He repeatedly pointed out that they are only controversial in Congress.

During the time the filibuster was going on, there were negotiations taking place behind the scene on how to add terror suspects to the list of people who are banned from buying guns. Republicans (via the NRA) have repeatedly proposed unworkable processes to allow citizens to be removed from terrorist watch lists – like expecting the Attorney General to prove their case in court within 3 days. Republican Senator Pat Toomey worked with a gun control advocacy organization backed by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Feinstein was in talks with Senator Cornyn. According to reports, both efforts failed to reach a compromise. As a result, the votes will be on proposals written by Democrats.

Other than forcing votes on these two issues, what Sen. Murphy’s filibuster accomplished was to shine a huge spotlight on the Senate’s response to the Orlando shootings. A lot more pressure will be brought to bear as they take up these measures. That will be especially true for Republican Senators running for re-election in blue/swing states, like Ron Johnson in Wisconsin, Mark Kirk in Illinois, Rob Portman in Ohio, Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania and Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire.

It is worth noting that most of us have grown cynical – with good reason – about the possibility of passing even common sense gun safety measures like these. It is inconceivable that in a democratic republic, efforts that are generally backed by over 90% of voters are blocked by one party over and over again. And yet that is exactly what is happening. One response to that would be to simply remind everyone that it is hopeless and nothing will ever happen. But I was personally struck last night when Sen. Murphy addressed his son in the gallery. He said that he hoped his son would one day understand what he was doing and that fighting for something you believe in – no matter the immediate outcome – is always important.

Full Story~ by Nancy LeTourneau
http://washingtonmonthly.com/2016/06/16/what-sen-murphys-filibuster-accomplished/#.V2Kj6BlwFO8.twitter

[sheshe2]

1. K&R

Thanks Cha.

[Cha]

2. Thank you, sheshe.. I was just about to kick it myself..

It's smartypants!

[yallerdawg]

3. Baby steps.

We can make it much bigger!

Getting it to a vote alone was "impossible" they say!

[Cha]

5. Baby Steps.. indeed, yallerdawg!~ Short clip of Sen Murphy on Charlie Rose after Filibuster!

Mahalo, yallerdawg!

[Her Sister]

4. Very good news! This is a start!

GUNSENSE!!

[Captain_New_York]

6. Where's Bernie

Did the newest member of the democratic senate support his colleagues on this fillerbuster or was he off with Jane and cronies looking to further himself and tear down the party. Just a thought

[Cha]

9. Not in the Senate where he belonged, CNY.. and now he's lost Rep. Raul Grijalva of AZ ..

Coincidence?

[George II]

7. I don't agree with many of Murphy's positions (think he might be a little too "conservative") but...

....yesterday I was proud to have campaigned for and voted for him as Senator. He is a very compassionate family man. What he (and Blumenthal) did yesterday opened up many people's eyes.

All morning, what have the networks been talking about? Trump? NO! GUN CONTROL, and how important a vote in the Senate is to our country.

[Cha]

10. You should be very proud of your Senator, George.. Thank you!

I don't have a tv so I haven't heard him speak until I found this clip of him on Charlie Rose after the Filibuster..

He's very Good!

And, good to hear the networks have been talking about Gun Sense!

[Aristus]

8. Man, the gunfucks are no doubt cowering behind closed doors...

...quivering in terror that the confiscation van is driving up their street right now...

...moments away from losing the only thing in the world that they love...

[Cha]

12. Yeah, the NRA has them trained well.. you know how many guns were sold when

President Obama was supposedly "coming for their guns".

Didn't happen.

Mahalo, Aristus~

[Aristus]

13. Cha!

[Cha]

14. Aloha, Aristus!

[Demsrule86]

11. I called both my Senators...Portman (yuck) and Brown

The mailboxes were full ...found a different number so they were getting lots of calls and emails to no doubt. Great news!

[spooky3]

15. Lawrence O'Donnell did a good job of explaining

why Murphy's actions were so impressive and worthy of admiration.

[Cha]

16. He is amazing.. I just saw the clip of him talking

about the bravery of Anne Marie Murphy when she wrapped her arms around Dylan Hockley.

[spooky3]

17. Very moving. How any human being can hear that

And NOT be moved to take legitimate, effective action is beyond me. Well no, it's not. We know there are people who care nothing about misfortune unless it happens to them or their loved ones. We know there are people who care more about money and power for themselves than behaving morally.