Biden has not 'reached out to Republicans' on gun legislation, GOP senator says
- Sen. Pat Toomey said President Joe Biden hasn't done enough to "reach out" to Republicans on gun laws.
- "The President is not being very helpful," Toomey said of Biden.
GOP Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said President Joe Biden has not "reached out to Republicans" on gun legislation.
During Sunday's "Face the Nation," host Margaret Brennan asked Toomey if Biden needed to get involved with congressional discussions on gun laws. Toomey said the President had not been "helpful."
"I think the President might have been a president who would reach across the aisle, try to bring people together, but he's chosen not to take that approach since day one," Toomey said. "He has sided with the far left of his party and really not reached out to Republicans."
Toomey is among a handful of Republican senators working towards gun reform legislation. He also said policies on gun reform that Biden has touted have "no chance of passing."
"So once again, the President is not being very helpful," Toomey said.
During the interview, Toomey also said that senators are still discussing how to implement expanded background checks.
"We're still in discussions, and we are still trying to figure out exactly what mechanism is going to enable us to get the votes that we would need... It hasn't been finally resolved, Toomey said, "but something in the space of expanding background checks I think is very well — it certainly is on the table, and I hope it'll be part of a final package."
In the wake of multiple mass shootings in America — with the most high-profile shootings occurring in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York — congress is working on a slew of measures meant to raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm, remove firearms from people who pose a threat to the public, and allow text message alerts during mass shootings.
The White House did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.