Hoyer Statement on Senate Defeat of Background Check Amendment
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after the Senate failed to adopt a bipartisan proposal to expand background checks on firearms:
“Like 90% of Americans, I am disappointed that the Senate could not adopt a reasonable, bipartisan compromise to close loopholes in federal background check laws, despite the fact that it received a majority of votes. Congress owes it to every family across our country to pass comprehensive legislation that will make it harder for criminals and the mentally ill to obtain deadly firearms while protecting the constitutional rights of responsible gun-owners.
“The Manchin-Toomey amendment reflects real bipartisan cooperation, and it would have helped prevent dangerous firearms from falling into the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. After the unspeakable tragedies of Newtown, Aurora, Tucson, and other communities devastated by gun violence, the defeat of this amendment today is a sad setback at a time when our people want safer streets, safer schools, and sensible gun laws that work. Today’s vote is a disappointment, but the effort to improve background checks is far from over, and we will keep working toward solutions that will make our communities safer. The Manchin-Toomey amendment reflected what a reasonable federal background check protocol should look like, and we must redouble our effort to see that it becomes law.”