Democrats were feeling pretty good last week after inking a bipartisan agreement on sweeping background checks for gun purchases and getting the votes to begin a Senate debate on new gun restrictions. But now they return to the Capitol at just the beginning of what will be a long, tough road to turn gun legislation into law.
First, the bill must survive this week’s planned debate in the Senate. And it’s still unclear whether the pact struck by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania to expand background checks has the 60 votes needed to pass. Indeed, it looks like it might not.
“Just because your leadoff hitter is on base in the first inning doesn’t mean you won the game,†a GOP Senate leadership aide said. “It just means your leadoff hitter’s on first base.â€
via Homepage http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/still-a-long-way-to-go-in-senate-on-gun-control-20130415