A solid Republican-led Senate filibuster defeated efforts Friday to pass the Brady bill, virtually dooming prospects that the handgun control legislation can become law this year.
Despite the appeal of President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno, supporters of the bill named for former White House press secretary James Brady failed twice by three votes to get the necessary 60 votes to crack the filibuster, failing 57-42 and 57-41.A third effort to end the filibuster is expected, possibly Saturday, but supporters were bleak about the prospects of success this year.
In contrast to the controversy over handgun controls, the Senate overwhelmingly passed an anti-crime bill on a 95-4 vote earlier Friday, underscoring voter concern over street crime. The measure calls for more than 100,000 new police on city streets and more prison cells, and would ban the sale of combat-style firearms.
Unless the Senate, rushing to adjourn by Wednesday, unexpectedly reverses itself in a third cloture vote, the House-passed bill will have to lay over until January for another attempt at passage. But if the filibuster is unyielding, the bill will die.
"I think the next step is next year," Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., said in admitting defeat. "We tried twice. From where I come from that means we lost. We will be back at this in the next calendar year and expect and hope we will prevail."
"Republicans now find themselves in the position of responsibility for killing the Brady bill," Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, D-Ohio, said at a news conference with Brady's wife, Sarah.
"I am outraged and deeply saddened," she said. "The big loser is the American people and the 65 people who die every day because of handgun violence in this country."
The bill requires a waiting period of five-business days before a handgun may be purchased, allowing local authorities time to check the background of the would-be buyer. It is fiercely opposed by the National Rifle Association.