Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) issued the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass measures that would prevent suspected terrorists, criminals, and the mentally ill from purchasing guns.

“Congress must do its job before we have to say more prayers for innocent victims of gun violence,” Frankel said. “It’s deeply troubling that, days after our country’s deadliest mass shooting, the Senate failed to pass two commonsense gun violence prevention measures offered by Democrats. It’s time for Congress to listen to the majority of American people – including gun owners – and close these loopholes that allow criminals and terrorists to buy guns.”

On Friday, Frankel held a press conference in West Palm Beach calling for a vote in Congress on these two measures. The following amendments to a must-pass spending bill to fund the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and related agencies both failed in the Senate today.

• Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Amendment – would give the Attorney General the power to deny the sale of a firearm to a person suspected of terrorism. A similar bill sponsored by Rep. Peter King (R-NY) is pending in the House.
• Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) Amendment – would close the gun show loophole by requiring a background check for all firearm sales, including those at gun shows and online. A similar bill sponsored by Reps. Peter King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) is pending in the House.

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