believe would be dead on arrival to this latest conversation of universal background checks. so already we re getting more information on the possible strategy for harry reid which right now indicates everything is on the table, up for debate. so if he is going to pursue that, which we see him talking right there, it is very similar to what they did on don t ask don t tell. they moved forward and they ultimately lost but the public opinion surrounding it put those who voted against it in such a precarious position that they were able eventually to gain taxes. put republicans on their heels, being against universal background collection but members of the newtown community in washington, d.c., masterful political stroke, perhaps. i m being told, harry reid is saying we should not stifle debate. perhaps we ll play a little of what he is saying. meanwhile, let me bring in our news nation political panel. we listen in quickly to harry reid? this flies in the face of the
the bans on assault weapons, background collection, expanded or otherwise, would not have saved the children. you have the argument about arming schools. no matter where you stand, the same thing here, the issue at this point seems to be about a vote. it is what the president said at the state of the union. it is about a vote no ma thor when you fall on it, it is about a vote here. yeah, yeah. go ahead. i think that s right. i don t understand again, how you can oppose a simple vote. the vote will happen. republicans and democrats will have to make it very clear to the public where they stand. that day is coming. and i think they have to look in the mirror and ask themselves, are they willing to do what s right, right for their families, right for the children, right for moving forward on a difficult issue but one that has to be addressed. greatly appreciate it. thank you for joining us with this breaking news. still ahead, tributes still coming in for margaret thatcher
favoring the background collection but democrats are actively looking for a republican co-sponsor to that type of legislation. thank you very much. we ll see you on monday. have a great weekend. you too. new information out of sanford, florida, and the trayvon martin case. the atlantic sentinel reporting that martin s parents have settled a wrongful death claim against the homeowner s association of the subdivision where trayvon was killed. a lawyer for his parents made it clear that a separate suit against george zimmerman was not part of the deal reached. the total amount of the settlement is not known but it is reported to be more than $1 million. . ? still ahead, a federal judge is giving the government 30 days to make the morning after pill available for girls younger than 17. no prescription needed. we ll examine the legal and medical aspects of this ruling today. but first, there is a lot going on today. here are some things we thought you should know. for the first time
easy fix that could and should have bipartisan support very quickly. ben, as people talk about the fact that as after newtown, the appetite to move swiftly on this, even though president talked about it directly in colorado yesterday, it seems the appetite has waned. if the people in this country feel background checks is a easy to get done, with bipartisan support, how come elected leaders in washington aren t listening to the constituents? i m not ready to write this off. senator mccain has made clear ellen gauge on this. there is already bipartisan support. senator kirk said he would support background collection and look at republicans in states where the president won. like senator collins and senator heller. they re considering this. ultimately, i think the president negotiated from a position of strength. he introduced a comprehensive package. he knew that at the end of the day, not all of that would get done. when there is such widespread agreement that something that could p
jonathan, let me bring you in. washington post has its article. it says gun control american purchases seem december continued to become law after the school shootings in newtown are in jeopardy areplied a fierce lobbying campaign by firearms advocates. key senators have been unable to find a workable plan for near universal background collection. another provision garnered by partisan support, making gun trafficking a federal crime could be gutted if republican lawmakers accept new language being circulated by the national rifle association. the bottom line, this report is saying, the national rifle association is alive, it is well and it is powerful despite what mayor bloomberg and others have said. you have an article where you believe the president has not been backed up, if you will. you ask in your article, where is the president s back-up? right. the president has done about as much as he can do without congressional authority. there was the vice president s task force. th