Senate Democrats to hold the floor to protest inaction on gun violence

Senate Democrats are planning to hold the floor on Tuesday evening for an hours-long talk-a-thon on the issue of gun violence.

The floor marathon comes as the White House is struggling to find a place to land in the weeks-long debate over potential gun-law reforms.

{mosads}“Many of my colleagues have seen their communities torn apart by gun violence; some by horrific mass shootings, others by a relentless, daily stream. Many of them have worked for years to bring commonsense gun safety measures before the Senate,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday, in announcing the plan from the Senate floor.

A Democratic aide said roughly two dozen senators would take part in the floor effort, which is being organized by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). 

It’s hardly the first time Democrats have used the Senate floor to try to build public awareness of gun control issues. Murphy captured headlines in 2016 when he held the floor for roughly 15 hours. 

Most recently, the White House has been negotiating with Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Murphy on potentially expanding background checks for gun sales. 

“My sense is that the White House has not given up. … I’m hopeful I’ll hear from them today,” Murphy said. “[But] there’s no smoke signals.”