Alexander and Corker join in voting to end Rand Paul led filibuster of background-check compromise bill

In a 68-to-31 vote yesterday 16 Senate Republicans sided with Democrats and voted for cloture ending the filibuster led by Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee of a bipartisan background-check compromise bill sponsored by Harry Reid.

The compromise bill would close the gun show loophole on background checks and the Internet loophole but would exempt all "personal" transfers of weapons between individuals. It also does not contain bans on either assault weapons or high-capacity magazines which gun control advocates had hoped for. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.)who has a perfect A+ rating from the NRA led the Republican effort to reach the compromise.

Pro gun rights advocates got some of what they wanted in the bill. The bill permits gun permit holders in one state to carry their gun in another state which is currently not permitted. The NRA initially did  not oppose the compromise saying it was better than the universal background check proposed by President Obama, but then later came out with a denunciation of it.

Tennessee Senators Alexander and Corker were among those voting to cut off debate. Below is the full list of Republicans who voted for the cloture motion.

• Lindsey Graham (SC) 
• Lamar Alexander (TN) 
• Kelly Ayotte (NH) 
• Richard Burr (NC) 
• Saxby Chambliss (GA) 
• John McCain (AZ)
• Tom Coburn (OK) 
• Susan Collins (ME) 
• Bob Corker (TN)
• Jeff Flake (AZ) 
• John Hoeven (ND)
• Johnny Isakson (GA) 
• Dean Heller (NV) 
• Mark Kirk (IL) 
• Pat Toomey (PA) 
• Roger Wicker (MS)  

The compromise bill was an amendment to the main bill and the finale bill must be voted on again, and no doubt will face another filibuster and if it passes the Senate, it must still pass in the house, so this is far from a done deal.

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