washington it said it would have had a republican filibuster if they kept that provision in. but a lot of people who are advocates that maybe something is different, something changed on december 14th in america, look at washington and don't think so anymore. >> christine covers congress. it shouldn't be a surprise that this didn't get to the floor? >> exact low. this played out exactly like everyone thought it was. all the attention around newtown didn't change the political dynamics in the senate. the question had always been would harry reid put this assault ban into a bigger package of gun control and then force republicans to vote against an entire gun control bill which would have been much harder than pulling this piece out individually and allowing one vote on it and it will go down as an amendment and then the broader gun control package, including background checks, will likely pass. so it allows the toughest, most controversial piece to get a vote separately and allow the rest of the package to move forward. it was just surprising only that