House Republican Joins Democrats by Calling for Gun Control Measures

— -- Rep. Bob Dold joined Democrats on the House floor Tuesday by calling for the chamber to take up gun control measures after the Orlando nightclub shooting.

He pushed for a vote on a bill from Rep. Peter King that would prevent suspected terrorists from acquiring firearms and explosives. He also voiced his support for universal background checks.

"Thoughts and prayers are not enough," Dold said. "It's time for action."

The Illinois Republican is locked in a tough reelection fight with former Rep. Brad Schneider, who supports gun control.

Last July, he signed on to a bill with Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, to prevent people who have abused dating partners or have been convicted of stalking from owning and buying firearms.

Only a handful of Republicans are lining up with Democrats on gun control measures following the mass shooting in Orlando at a gay nightclub, the deadliest in United States history.

Democrats tried unsuccessfully Tuesday to force a vote on Rep. Peter King's "terror gap" bill, which would allow the attorney general to prevent suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. (Democrats also refer to the bill as the "no fly, no buy" bill, though it would impact a larger group of people than those on the no-fly list.)

Dold voted with Republicans on that procedural vote, which his spokesman accused Democrats of staging to "score political points."

Today, House Democrats criticized Republican leaders for not holding a vote on King's measure.

In response to the Orlando massacre, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, plans to bring a package of national security bills to the floor this week that have already passed through the chamber and have stalled in the Senate.

A House panel advanced a bipartisan mental health reform proposal from Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pennsylvania, in response to recent mass shootings.