Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 02:02 pm
In a series of votes, Senate Republicans enabled ISIS radicalized domestic terrorists by voting against amendments that would have made it difficult for suspected terrorists to buy guns.
Before the votes, Sen. Chris Murphy told reporters from The Washington Post, “We’ve got to make this clear, constant case that Republicans have decided to sell weapons to ISIS. That’s what they’ve decided to do. ISIS has decided that the assault weapon is the new airplane, and Republicans, in refusing to close the terror gap, refusing to pass bans on assault weapons, are allowing these weapons to get in the hands of potential lone-wolf attackers. We’ve got to make this connection and make it in very stark terms.â€
Senate Republicans blocked an amendment that would have required background checks at gun shows by a vote of 44-56. Republicans also blocked a Chuck Grassley bill to expand funding for background checks, and an amendment by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) by a vote of 53-47 that would have required a court order to delay gun sales to people on the no-fly list for 72 hours. The Senate ended their terrorist enabling walk of shame by blocking an amendment from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) that would have blocked gun sales to suspected terrorists who are on the no-fly list 47-53.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders called the Democratic proposals common sense, “Frankly, these Democratic amendments are no-brainers. It is incomprehensible to me, and I believe to the vast majority of Americans, as to why Republicans would oppose them. Sen. Feinstein’s and Sen. Murphy’s proposals are common sense. In light of the terrible tragedies that have taken place in Orlando and other cities, it’s not very hard to understand that terrorists or potential terrorists, criminals and the dangerously mentally ill should not have access to guns. We have got to do everything we can to stop guns from falling into the hands of people who should not have them.â€
Common sense is something that in short supply with Republicans controlling the United States Senate.
If Republicans end up losing their Senate majority in November, they can look back on this series of votes where they defied the will of a vast majority of the American people on common sense gun legislation. When push came to shove Senate Republicans sided with keeping it easy for terrorists to buy deadly weapons in the United States.
Senate Republicans showed what they are all about by enabling potential domestic terrorists to buy deadly weapons. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sided with ISIS against the American people. It didn’t matter to Republicans when 20 children were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary. It didn’t matter to Senate Republicans when 14 people were gunned down in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, and it still doesn’t matter to Republicans after 49 innocent Americans were murdered in a terrorist attack in Orlando, FL.
It will never matter to these Senate Republicans that they are enabling domestic terrorism, which is why America must elect Senators who will put the safety of the American people over catering to the NRA by allowing gun sales to ISIS.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
