We need more of this, not less: Progressive advocacy groups that are willing to publicly pressure Democrats who are sticking it to them behind closed doors. Even though most Washington groups are loath to cross members of their own party on an issue, pressure matters—and gets results. Witness Sen. Chuck Schumer’s willingness to introduce a gun safety bill he had been stonewalling on. Seung Min Kim reports:
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence had organized a conference call for Monday afternoon designed to call out Schumer — normally a reliable ally of gun-control groups — for not yet introducing the bill. In a statement announcing the call, the organization proclaimed: “Senator Schumer falls through on promise to Brady Campaign.”
But shortly before the conference call was set to begin, Schumer’s office said he planned to introduce the bill later Monday. The Brady Campaign also flooded Schumer’s office with more than 1,800 calls, a spokesman for the group said, as well as waging a social media campaign pushing the New York senator.
“As the author of the [1994] Brady law, Sen. Schumer of course agrees that there should be universal background checks,” Schumer spokesman Matt House said Monday. “To avoid any misunderstanding, he will introduce his universal background check bill today.”
Good for the Brady Campaign. Schumer had publicly promised last fall that he would introduce the bill in early 2016. By mid-May, the campaign decided enough was enough. The foot dragging was reportedly caused by a disagreement over how to politically position the issue.
As for other gun safety groups: More of the usual kissing up.
Meanwhile, other gun control groups quickly leapt to Schumer’s defense.
“We have no doubt that he will continue to be a passionate and strategic leader for the cause of saving American lives from gun violence,” said Everytown for Gun Safety, an advocacy group led by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Bloomberg should be commended for sinking a ton of money into gun safety, but this routine from Everytown isn’t gonna move the issue anywhere.