Democratic US Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut is filibustering on the Senate floor right now to push for legislation that would prevent terror suspects like the Orlando shooter from buying guns.
And thanks to the wonders of livestreaming, you too can experience what it’s like to sit through hours upon hours of senators trying to talk nonstop.
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Just in case you don’t have several hours to spare, here’s the highlights:
The Senate is set to vote on a spending bill today, but Senate Democrats are trying to force a vote on an amendment that would prevent terror suspects from obtaining guns. The filibuster is a way of either forcing the Senate to vote on this proposal or risk holding up the spending bill altogether.
Murphy, who has been fighting for gun control legislation since the horrific Newtown shooting which took place in his state, launched the filibuster. He was quickly joined by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, among others.
In his necessarily extensive remarks, Murphy urged the Senate not to let the “perfect be the enemy of the good,” acknowledging that though preventing suspected terrorists from buying guns isn’t a comprehensive solution to the gun epidemic, it’s a start.
“I really do worry that there is a quiet, unintentional message of endorsement that’s sent when we do nothing or when all we do is talk,” Murphy said.
“I think when there is not a collective condemnation with policy change from what is supposedly the world’s greatest deliberative body that there are very quiet cues that are picked up by people who are contemplating the unthinkable in their mind.”
It’s unclear, by definition, how long this filibuster will last. But in a tweet sent out earlier today, Murphy said he’s committed:
Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.I am prepared to stand on the Senate floor and talk about the need to prevent gun violence for as long as I can. I've had #Enough
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 15, 2016