14 House Republicans, including Uvalde's congressman, voted to back the most significant new gun restrictions since the 1990s
- The House passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, sending it to President Joe Biden's desk.
- 14 Republicans joined every Democrat in supporting new gun restrictions in the wake of several mass shootings.
The House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act on Friday, sending the most significant new gun restrictions since the 1990s to President Joe Biden's desk.
The bill passed by a 234-193 margin, with 14 House Republicans voting in favor. It comes after 15 Senate Republicans broke ranks and voted for the bill late Thursday night.
The bipartisan measure, negotiated by Democratic and Republican senators with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's blessing, includes multimillion dollar investments in mental health services and school security, as well as a new federal ban on gun trafficking.
The gun safety bill would also offer new funding to support states and tribes that seek to enact "red flag" laws — which allow authorities to confiscate guns from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others — closing the so-called "boyfriend loophole," and subjecting gun purchasers under the age of 21 to new background check requirements.
The National Rifle Association announced their opposition to the bill within an hour of the text's release, and House Republicans cited the group's opposition as it urged their members to vote against the bill when it comes to the House. Republicans argue that the red flag provisions in particular could be abused, and not do enough to ensure due process protections.
Many of the Republicans that voted for the bill, including Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Fred Upton of Michigan, are retiring and don't have to face primary voters again.
But the congressman who represents Uvalde, Texas — where a gunman shot and killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School — also voted for the bill, explaining that he's a survivor of domestic violence.
And Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming released a statement following her vote arguing that the bill does not infringe on the Second Amendment.
"As a mother and a constitutional conservative, I'm proud to support this sensible bill that will protect our children and limit violence," she said. "Nothing in the bill restricts the rights of responsible gun owners. Period."
Here are the 14 House Republicans who voted for the bill:
- Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan
- Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan
- Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio
- Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio
- Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio
- Rep. David Joyce of Ohio
- Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming
- Rep. Chris Jacobs of New York
- Rep. John Katko of New York
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania
- Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois
- Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida
- Rep. Tom Rice of South Carolina
Here's what's in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.