The Senate successfully blocked (or 'failed to pass', depending on what side of the argument your on) new gun regulations yesterday, including expanded background checks.
60 votes were needed to pass the Amendments proposed, all 9 failed to meet that mark. The major spotlight was on the Manchin-Toomey background check amendment, which was defeated in a vote of 54 (aye) to 46 (nay). Democrat Senators Harry Reid, Baucus, Begich, Heitkamp, and Pryor voted no alongside 90% of GOP Senators. Republican Senators John McCain, Collins, Kirk and Toomey voted in favor of the legislation.
TheBlaze.com breaks down all of yesterday's votes HERE.
After the votes took place a visibly angry President Obama took to the podium to lambast Congress. Or as Pat put it, "he was pissed."
While some…well, most Americans might think three days after a terrorist attack is a time for the President to show resolve, an ability to agree to disagree is times of struggle, and, quite frankly, an attitude fitting of a man who can't get everything he wants, Barack Obama does not.
Surrounded by families of victims of the Newtown, CT massacre President Obama declared it a "shameful day for Washington" after 46 senators successfully blocked an amendment to expand background checks for gun-buyers, vowing that it was "just round one."
The allegedly "bi-partisan", "common sense" gun legislation failed to get votes from all 52 Democrat Senators. In fact, more Democrats voted against the "common sense" gun reform than vote FOR the President's very own budget.
See the President's full remarks below:
Assuming the President understands that even if this legislation had passed in the Senate, it would have been struck down by the GOP controlled House, his livid appearance during yesterday's speech seems much more tied to his inability to secure votes from his own party and his ego than to the actual legislation.
Glenn was literally speechless in his response to the President's attitude yesterday.
"I don't even know what to say," he stated this morning. "We are in such a dangerous situation right now. Our country is in a dangerous a precarious situation."
Regardless of where the Democrats, Republicans, the President, or even the average American stand on gun reform, the American people are in a situation where they need leadership. Three days ago, two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon, killing 3 and severely injuring over 170. Letters laced with ricin poison were sent to the President and members of Congress within the last 48 hours. And, after the President's speech, a massive explosion rocked West, Texas last night, killing multiple people, wounding hundreds, and nearly wiping the small town off the map. The terrorists from the Boston attack are yet to have been caught, and the details of the investigation are fuzzy.
Needless to say, Americans are on edge, distraught, and a little scared. That said, Americans are coming together to support each other and pull through the current challenges. Meanwhile, our president is yelling at Congress on a global stage.
After 9/11, Rudy Guiliano was asked about how he was able to keep his composure during such a frightening and uncertain situation. He explained:
"The hallmark of the fully mature, fully functioning, self-actualizing personality is the ability to be objective and unemotional when caught up in the inevitable storms of daily life. The superior person has the ability to continue talking to himself in a positive and optimistic way, keeping his mind calm, clear and completely under control. The mature personality is more relaxed and aware and capable of interpreting events more realistically and less emotionally than is the immature personality. As a result, the mature person exerts a far greater sense of control and influence over his environment, and is far less likely to be angry, upset, or distracted. My father used to say to me, 'Whenever you get into a jam, whenever you get into a crisis or an emergency . . .become the calmest person in the room and you’ll be able to figure your way out of it'."
That's the sign of leadership. If the president isn't going to act like a leader, maybe he should follow the example being set by the first responders and the American people who are resiliently finding a way to rise above the current struggles of this week.