R.I. Senate president had ‘perfect opportunity' to advance gun bill but didn't, senators say
Sending the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee 'all but guarantees the bill's demise, as similar legislation has repeatedly been held for further study for years in the Judiciary Committee without a vote,' said Lauria, a Barrington Democrat.
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" This practice denies the full Senate the opportunity to publicly debate and vote on one of the most consequential public safety issues of our time," she said.
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But Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers, a Foster Republican, objected, saying Lauria made her motion at the wrong point in the Senate calendar.
And Lawson, an East Providence Democrat and
The drama mounted when former Senate Majority Leader Ryan W. Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat who
Pearson cited a section of
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The
Pearson told Lawson, " Madam President, your ruling that Senator Lauria's motion was out of order is, in fact, incorrect. I appeal the ruling.'
The Senate then
Among those voting against Lawson's ruling were the chairs of four Senate committees — Senator Mark P. McKenney, a Warwick Democrat who chairs the Rules Committee; Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma, the Middletown Democrat who has introduced
Lauria's move came as a surprise to many senators.
On Friday, Lauria said she made the motion because she thinks the Finance Committee is the appropriate venue, given that
Also, Lauria said 24 of the Senate's 37 current members are cosponsors of the legislation. 'The will of the chamber is clear,' she said. 'I felt it needs to come to the floor for a full debate and vote.'
She disagreed with Rogers' contention that she tried to send the bill to the Finance Committee at the wrong point in the Senate calendar.
'I think I gave the chamber a golden opportunity to get this bill across the finish line,' Lauria said.
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She said she advocated for gun legislation for eight years with Moms Demand Action and saw the impact of gun violence as a trauma nurse. 'I am very, very passionate about this issue,' she said.
But Lauria said she expects the bill to die if it remains in the Judiciary Committee.
On Friday, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said, 'The Senate president is engaged in discussions with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She is working to win passage of that bill. That is the process we have.'
Pare noted the legislation was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee before Lawson became Senate president, and the committee heard hours of testimony on the bill.
Pearson has claimed that during the Senate leadership battle in April, new Majority Leader
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On Friday, Pearson said, 'This was a perfect opportunity to prove me wrong. This was Val's perfect opportunity, if she supports the bill, to get it to the floor.'
Pearson said Lauria was within her rights, under Senate rules, to try to send the bill to the Finance Committee. 'It was clear the president didn't even understand the rules,' he said.
Pearson said some senators based their votes on their understanding of the rules, but he said others were 'making a political calculation against the assault weapons ban or a show of loyalty to Val.'
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Senator Alana M. DiMario, a Narragansett Democrat, said, 'I take the Senate president at her word that she is committed to getting this bill across the finish line, and I will support her in whatever way she chooses to get that done.'
Melissa Carden, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, issued statement thanking Lauria for her attempt to get the legislation to the Senate floor. 'While we were disappointed with the outcome, there is still a path to move this bill to the Senate floor.'
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
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