Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on the committee, chastised Democrats for rushing to take up the package, calling it "regretful" and an act of "political theater."
"Protecting children is not a Republican or Democrat issue," he said. "This is not a real attempt, in my judgment, to find solutions." Emotions ran high throughout the hearing, underscoring the fierce partisan divisions on the issue of gun control and difficulties Congress has encountered in prior unsuccessful attempts to pass legislation to address gun violence. Rep. Greg Steube, a Florida Republican, appeared remotely and displayed his numerous handguns during the hearing to argue those firearms would be banned under Democrats' proposal because of their magazine capacities. On the opposing side, Rep. Lucy McBath, a Georgia Democrat, recalled losing her 17-year-old son to gun violence in 2012 and asked, "Do we as a nation have the God given right to live free from this scourge of gun violence, of senseless suffering, of death and despair?" Democrats blamed Republicans for failing to feel a sense of urgency to protect young lives, while Republicans accused Democrats of wanting to take away Americans' Second Amendment rights. "There's a willingness to just ram through this package and the answer is, 'We don't have any patience for you if you're objecting.' The voices are raised, the accusations are made, Republicans are complicit," GOP Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina said. "I can tell you this and let me be clear: You are not going to bully your way into stripping Americans of fundamental rights." Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania followed: "I'm stunned by some of the words that we're hearing on the other side of the aisle. Where is their outrage over the slaughter of 19 fourth graders and their two teachers? Why don't they feel an urgency to do something?" While Democrats favor plans to make it more difficult to obtain firearms and restrict access to high-capacity magazines, Republicans instead believe efforts should be focused on bolstering mental health resources and making schools more secure, including by expanding the ranks of school resource officers.
President Biden, meanwhile, has repeatedly urged Congress to send to his desk legislation stalled in the Senate that strengthens background checks and has called on lawmakers to reinstate the assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004.
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
