Reps Peter King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) will be introducing a version of the Toomey-Manchin gun control/background check compromise early next week.
I will be introducing, along with Mike Thompson [D-Calif.], basically the House version of the Manchin-Toomey bill on Monday or Tuesday at the latest,” the New York Republican said, referencing the bipartisan agreement on background checks reached this week between Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).
King is confident that Toomey’s backing in the Senate will garner “significant support” among House members for the bill.
We’re not talking about a majority, but a significant number realize we have to do something,” he said. “Certainly having Pat Toomey involved, who was such a solid conservative, and when you see the polls saying 90 percent [of Americans are] supporting [background checks], many Republicans see that as the way to go.”
It’s not clear if the Senate “compromise” will gain traction in the House, despite King’s confidence. At least 45 members of the House have written majority leader Boehner to oppose legislation that would violate the second amendment. Reps. Steve Stockman (R-TX) and Paul Broun (R-GA) are among the signatories of the letter.