TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Initial voting for a legislative special session on gun violence confirm House Democrats will have a tough time reaching the required 60 percent approval in both chambers.
Of the 12 senators who responded Wednesday, the first day Secretary of State Lauren Lee collected votes on whether to convene a special session, four Democrats voted in favor and eight Republicans opposed.
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Among the votes cast by House members, the results also ran along party lines, with 14 Democrats in support and 23 Republicans against the proposal.
Without losing any of their own members, Democrats have to convince seven Republicans in the Senate and 25 Republicans in the House to support the call for a special session.
Lawmakers have until Tuesday to submit their vote.
The House Democrats launched the demand for the special session in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, earlier this month.
Cementing bipartisan support for a special session on the topic of guns seems unlikely, however. Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker José Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, said Monday they don’t support calling the Legislature into a special session on the issue.