Parents need the piece of mind that when their children return to school, we've done everything we can to ensure their safety. Smith's opposition to the House-Senate conference has spooked House GOP leaders, who worry that naming conferees from the House side would give Democrats a chance to reopen the gun debate, something they have no intention of doing if possible. The rule they fear is the one that requires House and Senate conferees to take action on a bill within 20 days after the conferees are appointed. If the conferees don't act on a bill within 20 days of being appointed, every Member has the right to offer a motion to instruct conferees on the House floor, which Democrats could use to force votes on gun control. Therefore, House leaders are waiting for the Senate to make the first move.
Nobody expects any action until Members return from the recess.
Gun control advocates, though, blasted Smith for his refusal to let the juvenile justice legislation move forward. Senate Democrats also went to the chamber floor yesterday to lambaste Republican leaders for not moving more quickly on the bill, and suggested that the majority was attempting to derail the normal legislative process through the use of obscure parliamentary tactics. These are the issues that the American people care about. That bill passed the Senate on June 15, and Senate conferees were appointed the following day. House conferees were named on June 24 and the conference met the following week.