CBS
At least a dozen Republican Senators have backed a plan to filibuster new gun legislation, which was spearheaded by Sens.
McCain, who criticized Paul and Cruz as "wacko birds" last month, seemed baffled by their plan.
"I don't understand it," McCain said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday. "The purpose of the United States Senate is to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we stand."
McCain said he would encourage Republicans to drop their threat of a filibuster.
"I would not only encourage it, I don’t understand it. What are we afraid of?" he said, noting that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he will allow amendments to be introduced to any bill.
"Why not take it up and amend it and debate? The American people would profit from it. I do not understand why United States Senators want to block debate when the Leader has said we can have amendments."
Watch McCain's comments below, via CBS: