Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday said the growing impeachment debate on Capitol Hill shouldn’t stall long-sought legislation seeking background checks for gun purchases — nor keep President Trump from backing the measure.
Schumer, speaking at his Manhattan office, called on Trump to “prove to the American people that he can still govern” and is not “consumed” by Democrats’ push to impeach him.
“Amidst the impeachment inquiry the gears of government can still move,” Schumer said. “Anyone who suggests otherwise is advancing a false narrative.”
“In fact, the best example of governing for this president … would be to pass the universal background bill, which has been sitting on the door step of the Senate for well over 200 days.”
The New York Democrat chided Trump for meeting last week with NRA chief Wayne LaPierre, during which LaPierre reportedly told Trump to “stop the games” on gun legislation.
“How dare he and why would Trump take that from Wayne LaPierre,” Schumer said. “President Trump must do whatever it takes to resist the clouded comfort he craves from the likes of Wayne LaPierre and the NRA.”
Congressional Democrats have long pushed for stricter background checks on assault gun purchases — with the measure gaining momentum this year after deadly mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas.
Trump initially seemed to warm to the legislation. Last month, he told reporters he was no NRA puppet, and that, “I have an appetite for background checks.”
But the president later slowed things down after meeting with LaPierre and other gun advocates.
The chief executive has been focused this week on the impeachment inquiry sought by House Democrats over claims Trump pressured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch a probe into former Vice President Joe Biden — the president’s leading rival in next year’s presidential race.
Biden’s son, Hunter, was on the board of a controversial Ukrainian gas company.
Trump fired back Saturday in a scathing Twitter video, cautioning Americans that Democrats “want to take away your freedom,” and “want to take away your guns.”
Schumer said Sunday Trump should instead focus on the background legislation, citing a Quinnipiac poll that found 97 percent of Americans support the checks for gun sales.
He opened the press conference by asking for a moment of silence for NYPD officer Brian Mulkeen, who was shot and killed during a scuffle with a suspect in the Bronx late Saturday.
“Every police officer’s spouse dreads the call that he or she might get saying your spouse has been injured, your spouse has been killed,” Schumer said. “It happens all too often.”
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