Another Senator Projects Optimism On Gun Control Legislation

on May 17, 2016 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) (R) head for the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon in the U.S. Capitol May 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. Toomey is facing an uphil... WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-PA) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) (R) head for the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon in the U.S. Capitol May 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. Toomey is facing an uphill battle for re-election and is being targeted by Democrats as they look to net five seats and ensure Senate control. Despite having an $11 million war chest, Portman is facing a tough re-election campaign against former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) is echoing Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) in his conviction that there is still hope for this latest push in gun control legislation, despite signs from President Donald Trump that the effort has reached its cyclical end.

According to a Politico report, Toomey said that based on a conversation he had with Trump late last week, Trump was still “very interested” in background check legislation like his and Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-WV).

Toomey, like Murphy, admitted that having high hopes about gun control legislation is often a fool’s errand.

“Fundamentally, [it’s] a difficult task. That being said, the chances are looking better than they have ever looked at any time, certainly, since Sen. Manchin and I first pushed for Manchin-Toomey back in 2013,” Toomey told Politico.

The legislation would expand background checks to all commercial purchases and close the gun show loophole.

Murphy cited background checks to reporters specifically last week, when he said that the White House was still on board.

Latest News
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: