14 Republican Senators who crossed party lines and backed gun reform

US Senators announced a historic bipartisan effort to curb gun violence in the United States on late Tuesday. Hours after introducing the bill, the Senate voted to fast-track its process to get it signed before the week ends.

Even though a few senior Senators, including minority leader Mitch McConnell, previously demonstrated support for the gun reform bill, Tuesday’s vote saw enormous support from the Republican party.

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The thinly divided Senate voted 64-34 to pass the proposed bill. The following Republicans, 14 in total, voted in favour of it:

–Roy Blunt of Missouri

-Richard Burr of North Carolina

-Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia

-Bill Cassidy of Lousiana

-Susan Collins of Maine

-John Cornyn of Texas

-Joni Ernst of Iowa

–Lindsey Graham of South Carlina

-Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

–Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

-Robert Jones Portman of Ohio

–Mitt Romney of Utah

-Thom Tillis of North Carolina

-Todd Young of Indiana

Two allied independent Senators also voted with the Democratic party to give clear passage to the gun control bill. An approval from the Democratic-led United States House of Representatives is expected to come soon after the Senate. The legislation will then go to President Joe Biden’s desk for the final executive approval.

Though Republicans blocked tougher restrictions sought by Democrats, the accord marks an election-year breakthrough on an issue that pits the GOP’s staunch gun-owning and rural voters against Democrats’ urban-centered backers of firearms curbs, Associated Press reported.

Also Read: Mitch McConnell ‘supportive’ of bipartisan gun law: Why it matters

However, the new legislation is expected to tighten gun regulations in the United States. It would boost the requirement of thorough background checks for young people who wish to purchase firearms. It will also require more sellers to conduct background checks and beef up penalties on gun traffickers.

The bill would also sanction funds for states and communities that have been rattled by an increase in gun violence. This money will be used to improve school safety and mental health initiatives.