The bipartisan gun bill, with negotiations led on the Republican side by John Cornyn of Texas, passed last night 64-34 in a procedural vote, likely clearing the way for the bill’s final passage. From the New York Times:
The Senate on Tuesday cleared the first hurdle to passing a bipartisan measure aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people, agreeing to take up a compromise bill whose enactment would break a yearslong stalemate over federal legislation to address gun violence.
While the bill falls short of the sweeping gun control measures Democrats have long demanded, its approval would amount to the most significant action in decades to overhaul the nation’s gun laws. The 64-to-34 vote came just hours after Republicans and Democrats released the text of the legislation, and after days of feverish negotiations to hammer out its details.
Now, here are the 14 Republicans who voted “yes” on the bill:
14 Republicans voted 'YES' tonight:
Roy Blunt
Richard Burr
Shelly Moore-Capito
Bill Cassidy
Susan Collins
John Cornyn
Joni Ernst
Lindsey Graham
Mitch McConnell
Lisa Murkowski
Rob Portman
Mitt Romney
Thom Tillis
Todd Young— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 22, 2022
And we’re seeing a lot of angry commentary from conservatives warning of electoral consequences for these 14:
Every single one must be primaried and beaten https://t.co/qdU0SXVHWe
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 22, 2022
There’s particular anger aimed at John Cornyn:
Primary @JohnCornyn.
— Josh Hammer (@josh_hammer) June 22, 2022
But the 70-year-old Texas Republican isn’t up for reelection until 2026, if he even runs again:
In 2026. If he runs again.
— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) June 22, 2022
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Sen. Lindsey Graham will be a target, too:
And even then, I suspect Lindsey will be the no. 1 target.
— Jason Epstein (@Southfive) June 22, 2022
Like Cornyn, Sen. Graham defeated three primary challengers in 2020 and isn’t up until 2026:
Is it time for the meme yet? pic.twitter.com/HFiwI1i9Yr
— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) June 22, 2022
Here’s the full breakdown. . .
Senators Blunt, Burr, Portman and Toomey are already retiring.
Senators Murkowski and Young are running this year, but Young has no primary opponent.
Mitt Romney is up in 2024, will be 77 on election day, and doesn’t really need donor support.
Senators Cornyn, Tillis, Collins, Graham, Ernst and McConnell are up in 2026, which is four years away and an eternity in politics:
Blunt, Burr, Portman, and Toomey are retiring.
Cornyn, Tillis, Cassidy, Collins, Graham, Ernst, and McConnell are up in '26.
Romney is '24.
Murkowski is up this year. Young is up too but has no primary opponent.
— Jason Epstein (@Southfive) June 22, 2022
So, Murkowski could be the only one in trouble right now, but. . .
Long-time Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski reminds voters of her legislative achievements in a new TV ad.
In just two months, Murkowski will face opponents in Alaska's primary election, including Trump-endorsed candidate Kelly Tshibaka.
Via @alexandramrqzhttps://t.co/Uav26o4Uip pic.twitter.com/kMLSqLQMXJ
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) June 20, 2022
. . .but Alaska has a “nonpartisan ‘Top 4’ system, where the top four vote-getters in a primary advance to the general, regardless of political affiliation.” Her support isn’t needed to pass the final bill when it comes up for a vote and could be a “no.”
The other GOP senators up in 2024 also all voted “no”:
GOP leadership split –
McConnell, Ernst, Blunt voted aye
Thune, Barrasso voted no2024 caucus – Hawley, Rick Scott, Tim Scott, Cotton, Cruz, Rubio – all no
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) June 22, 2022
Sen. Rick Scott, who, while Governor of Florida, signed new gun legislation that included red-flag laws and raised the age to purchase a rifle and shotgun for most residents to 21, also vote “no”:
The Florida gun bill then-Governor now Senator Rick Scott signed after Parkland was MUCH stricter than this bipartisan Senate gun deal.
It raised the age to buy a gun and instituted a statewide red flag law.
Scott voted “no” on the Senate bill last night.
— Jay O'Brien (@jayobtv) June 22, 2022
In other words — and many conservatives may not like it — Cocaine Mitch got what he wanted. Again:
Cocaine Mitch gets what he wants. Again.
— Greg Pollowitz (@GPollowitz) June 22, 2022
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