On Wednesday, 124 days after the tragedy in Newtown, the U.S. Senate voted down a bipartisan amendment to increase background checks to include gun purchases online and at gun shows. The measure failed 54-64, with four Democrats joining in opposition: Max Baucus (MT), Mark Begich (AK), Heidi Heitkamp (ND), and Mark Pryor (AR).
Despite Senate Majority Leader Harry’s Reid’s emotional plea on the floor earlier this morning and the presence of Gabby Giffords and families of Newtown victims at the vote, the Senate still could not muster the votes to pass a bill.
After the vote, President Obama gave a speech at the White House, saying it was “a pretty shameful day for Washington.”
Allison MacDonald