Gun control proposals face big hurdles in the Senate

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) says he wants Republicans to work with Democrats to pass bipartisan gun control legislation — but the proposals under consideration face significant hurdles, and the likelihood of success is small.  

Schumer initially on Wednesday said most Republicans are so set against proposals to expand background checks or otherwise limit access to firearms that he doesn’t think it would be a productive use of Senate time to bring legislation to the floor in response to the mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas.  

Later in the day, Schumer said he would allow votes on gun control-related amendments to a domestic terrorism bill that’s coming to the floor Thursday.  

But Republicans say they will block the bill from proceeding, which means gun control-related votes are unlikely before the Memorial Day recess.   

Schumer has come under pressure from progressives to put Republicans on the record by forcing votes on expanded background checks and other reforms.