Vermont Senator Joins Filibuster

[RandySF]

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt, joined other Democrats in a filibuster Wednesday to advocate for gun law reforms. The effort on the floor of the U.S. Senate came in response to the Orlando gay nightclub massacre.

The filibuster — where a senator holds the floor while speaking — began shortly before noon Wednesday and was led by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. Leahy was one of several senators who signed up to help Murphy delay motion on a Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill until the Senate takes action on gun violence.

The bill includes funding for the departments of Justice and Commerce, NASA and other science-related agencies.

Leahy advocated for what he called common-sense gun laws. He called for universal, effective background checks and regulating assault weapons.


http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/15/leahy-joins-senate-gun-filibuster/85935618/

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. I am happy that my party is standing up to the Corporate Gunocracy.

I is long past time we passed sensible gun laws.

[Iliyah]

2. You gave me a laugh!

"Veemont" - LOL

K & R this thread

[RandySF]

3. Thanks. Fixed.

[pnwmom]

4. There were at least 40 Senators who joined in the effort, including

both WA state's Senators. But I only saw one Vermont name on the list.

[JimDandy]

5. So they stood an avg of 20 minutes each? Let me know when any of them filibusters for 8.6 hours

by themselves like Bernie did.

About time our 2 WA State Senators did something better than backing the interests of corporations and the TPP

[SunSeeker]

6. So, if he's not the star of the show, he won't show up.

Says a lot about Bernie.

[JimDandy]

17. So this is about the limelight? Wow! Well, I guess that explains why 40 people wanted camera time.

[SunSeeker]

19. No, this is about Dems helping Dems push for gun control.

That's apparently not Bernie's cup of tea.

[JimDandy]

22. No, you said it was about being the star of the show.

[SunSeeker]

23. No, you brought up Bernie's prior filibuster.

And I noted that he apparently likes to filibuster when he is the star of the show. Not so much if he is helping Dems push for gun control.

[peace13]

7. My guess is that if Bernie did show up right now to join in the filibuster process....

...there would be people crowing about how unfair it was that he was getting air time and Hill could not. It is lose lose for Bernie on this issue. He is still in the midst of a national campaign whether people like or want to believe it. As you say, he has contributed when others did nothing.

[ALBliberal]

8. Says it all. nt

[NuclearDem]

11. That's funny, he had time to fly off to Rome and ambush the Pope.

And that was before the primaries were over.

[peace13]

13. When my sister was dying and I was by her bedside trying to explain to my other sister ...

.. And mother over a telephone that they needed to get here. Things were changing and time was short. From across town this sister told me that she and mother were just being seated at a restaurant and would be there when they had had something to eat. Within ten minutes of this conversation my sister's breathing became even more irregular and I was beside myself. I turned to the Hospice nurse and said, 'I don't know what to do. Should I call them back. I just don't know what to do.' The Hospice nurse turned to me and said, 'Kim, you have done all that you can. You need to understand that no matter what you do, it will be the wrong thing.' These have been life saving words for me.

From that day forward I have kept those words close to heart. Sometimes in life we are in a lose /lose position. Recognize it. Do your best and move forward. This is one of those times for Bernie. As I said up thread. If Bernie had stood up and filibustered there would be complaints of grandstanding. Cries that he was upstaging Hill and many more complaints that are yet to be imagined. He is doing his best.......as we all should, and move forward. Be safe and take care. Hug yourself and know that someone you have never met is sending you love through the Universe.

[ecstatic]

15. lol! nt

[Orrex]

16. Damn.

[JimDandy]

18. Absolutely. n/t

[auntpurl]

12. Senator Murphy stood throughout. 14 hours.

No food.
No water.
No sitting down.
No leaning on the podium.

And at the end, he had enough left in him to make an impassioned plea on behalf of the victims of Sandy Hook and victims of gun violence everywhere. It was a heroic event, and they got their vote.

[JimDandy]

20. Good! So he got a taste of the heroics of Bernie...except Murphy didn't actually speak

any where near the whole time. Bernie did--now, THAT is heroic.

By the way, water IS allowed.

[auntpurl]

21. Uh, ok.

Sorry, I don't think arguing against a tax bill is anything like as heroic as trying to keep Americans safe from gun violence, but I suppose we all see things differently.

Also 14 hours > 8 hours.

Also the fact Bernie cannot find support for most of his ideas in the Senate is not a mark in his favor.

[frazzled]

14. Murphy is the one who is standing

And he's been up for way more than 8 hours. He must stand by his desk when others talk.

But I see many like to elevate lone wolfism above communal action.

[jimw81]

9. He's the real admendment king and friend of batman

[auntpurl]

10. ...but not that one.

[tavernier]

24. Good grief, this is about gun law reform!!

Why does every f-ing post have to become all about Bernie or Hillary?

Can't we have just one discussion over ANYTHING that doesn't track back to a damned pissing contest between the supporters of these two?