John Cornyn was asked by Senate Minority Leader McConnell to talk to Democrats about gun legislation.
McConnell speaks during a news conference.
McConnell told Cornyn to work with Democrats to find a compromise on legislation in response to the tragedy, according to CNN.
McConnell did not say what the bill should look like, but he wanted Cornyn to take the lead on any legislation, according to CNN.
Cornyn said he would meet with Murphy, a lawmaker from the state where the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting took place a decade ago, to see if they could work together.
Cornyn said he was unsure of whether there would be enough support for a bill on stricter background checks or other gun control measures, but added the tragedy would hopefully provide a new sense of urgency.
I have encouraged Cornyn to talk to Sen. Murphy and Sinema, who are interested in trying to get an outcome that is directly related to the massacre. McConnell told CNN that he was hopeful that they could come up with a bipartisan solution.
The news came hours after Senate Republicans blocked a bill aimed at combatting domestic terrorism in response to a shooting in Buffalo, New York, two weeks ago that killed 10 Black people at a supermarket. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday that he would restart efforts to pass stricter gun control laws, despite the fact that Republicans were unlikely to support such efforts. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act, passed twice by the House with support from a few Republicans, would expand background checks to gun buyers on the internet and at gun shows. The Enhanced Background Checks Act, which was passed by the House last year, would close a loophole allowing some gun sales to proceed without a background check, but both of those proposals have been put on hold due to lack of support from Republican senators. The bills would need 60 votes to pass. A lack of GOP support has caused several other bills to fail. Cornyn cautions against using the Uvalde shooting as a way toinfringe Second Amendment rights, adding mental health access and treatment should be considered.
The talks have evolved. Cornyn told CNN that he was just starting to talk to Murphy about gun legislation. Schumer said Congress has to pass stricter gun control measures. The Senate would vote on gun safety legislation if the negotiations are not successful in a short period of time.
CNN has an exclusive on McConnell directing Cornyn to engage with Democrats on a bipartisan solution to gun violence.
Schumer says there will be no gun vote soon.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
