I Don't Understand It': McCain Blasts GOP Threat to Filibuster Gun Bill

AP

Sen. John McCain on Sunday once again found himself at odds with Republican colleagues Rand Paul and Ted Cruz when he slammed their intention to filibuster any gun legislation.

"I don't understand it," the Arizona Republican said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "The purpose of the United States Senate is to debate and to vote and to let the people know where we stand.”

A number of GOP senators, including Paul (Ky.), Cruz (Texas), Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida, signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) vowing to filibuster any gun bills.

"I don't understand it," McCain repeated. "What are we afraid of?...If this issue is as important as all of us think it is...why not take it up and debate?"

He added that “everybody wants the same goal, to keep the guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally disabled."

McCain previously ran afoul of the group when he referred to them as "wacko birds" following Paul's filibuster John Brennan's confirmation as CIA director.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), also on "Face the Nation" agreed that it would be "very wrong" to filibuster and said senators should at least be allowed to debate.

"Please let us go to the floor," Schumer said. "If we go to the floor, I'm still hopeful that what I call the sweet spot, background checks, can succeed...hopefully people will rise to the occasion."

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