Round one is over, but the fight may resume. The Washington Post reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has suspended consideration of the Democrats’ main gun control bill. Reid voted against the linchpin Manchin-Toomey compromise on background checks yesterday so he would be on the winning side, giving him the option to file a future motion to reconsider. This will allow the amendment to be brought to the floor for another vote. His caucus will now focus build a new coalition.
Without Reid’s strategic defection, the Manchin-Toomey amendment would have received 55 ayes and 45 nays. A procedural agreement struck with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to avoid filibusters requires 60 votes for any gun control amendments. Two were approved today, and new ones may be introduced.
