Biden calls GOP filibuster threat 'mind-boggling'

Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY | USATODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Biden: Filibuster on guns would be embarrassing Vice President Joe Biden says he refuses to believe a small group of senators will block a vote on gun legislation. Biden, along with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, spoke to law enforcement officers at the White House on Tuesday. (April 9)

Vice president blasted GOP lawmakers threatening to block vote on gun legislation

Biden spoke to law enforcement officers about the gun-control measures backed by the White House

Gun-control issue %22is not going away%2C%22 Biden said

WASHINGTON — Vice President Biden on Tuesday said GOP lawmakers who are threatening to block a vote on gun legislation are making an "almost mind-boggling" move but said he holds hope that the Republican lawmakers will come around and support a vote.

Fourteen GOP lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have said they would likely move to block a vote on gun legislation out of concerns that the bill — which includes a provision to expand background checks —would infringe on American's right to bear arms.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Tuesday that the Senate will vote on Thursday to try to end the GOP filibuster.

"Why don't people up there understand this?" Biden said in a speech to law enforcement officers in Washington. "What has to happen to break through the consciousness of the people up on (Capitol) Hill?"

The Senate is expected to begin debate on the gun legislation this week. The current version of the Senate gun bill would strengthen current laws on gun trafficking and straw purchasers, increase grants for improvements in school safety as well as expand background checks to nearly every gun purchase.

Earlier on Tuesday, Biden said he had a two-hour conversation over breakfast with family members of the December mass shooting tragedy in Newtown, Conn., that left 20 children and six educators dead and reignited a national debate on federal gun laws.

The family members are in Washington this week to lobby lawmakers to get behind the sweeping overhaul of gun laws that's backed by President Obama.

Biden said a mother of one of the victims posed a simple question to him about lawmakers threatening the filibuster: "What don't they understand?"

" 'What should I say to them?' " Biden said the woman asked him. "It was a legitimate question as if they were going to speak to some ancient Aztecs or somebody that speaks another language. ... Think of that. Think of that question."

Biden predicted the issue of gun control "is not going away" even if the lawmakers block the bill and suggested that there would be a political price to pay if the Republicans move forward with the filibuster.

"The American public will not stand for it," Biden said.