Senate Democrats staged a filibuster over gun control on Wednesday that spilled over into early Thursday morning, and finally ended after nearly 15 hours.
The talkathon started at 11:20 a.m. local time Wednesday, and wrapped up shortly after 2 a.m.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., led the charge for legislation that would prohibit people on terrorist watch lists from purchasing firearms. The move comes three days after a Islamic State-affiliated U.S. citizen fatally shot 49 people and injured 53 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
“I’m prepared to stand on this floor and talk about the need for this body to come together on keeping terrorists away from getting guns … for, frankly, as long as I can, because I know that we can come together on this issue,” Murphy said at the beginning of his stand.
Murphy was joined by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Al Franken of Minnesota, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Bill Nelson of Florida, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Chuck Schumer of New York, Ben Cardin of Maryland, and Ed Markey of Massachusetts Wednesday night, but dozens of others participated during the day as well.
The filibuster didn’t actually block any Senate work, as little was scheduled anyway, and senators were able to advance a key spending bill early Wednedsay morning. And off the floor, senators were trying to find a compromise between two competing gun bills from Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
Murphy’s office received over 10,000 supportive calls on Wednesday.
