Toomey Threatened to Nix Gun Control Bill For A Ridiculously Petty Reason

Today, for the first time since voting on the “Brady Bill” and the infamous assault weapons ban during the Clinton administration, the Senate will vote today on a series of gun control bills. One with perhaps the highest likelihood of passage is the one floated yesterday by Pat Toomey and Joe Manchin to close the gun-show loophole and expand background checks to internet sales. The one, in other words, that almost didn’t get done. And here’s why:

Four senators may have signed on to a gun background check deal Wednesday, but only two showed up for the news conference — in part because Pennsylvania GOP Sen.Patrick J. Toomey’s public support for the bill hinged on not having to stand next to Democratic Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York.

We know Schumer’s a liberal dude from New York City, and you’re a deep conservative, from holy Zionsville, PA, but come on! No one’s going to punish you for a little overt bipartisanship. [Roll Call]