Members of Tennessee's Congressional delegation are threatening to strip funding for President Barack Obama's executive orders on gun control.
Obama on Tuesday proposed expanding background checks for gun purchases to Internet and gun show sales in a bid to reduce the 30,000 Americans killed each year by firearms. The president said that requirement should be coupled with speedier background checks, $500 million for mental health and hiring 200 more ATF agents.
Obama portrayed the moves as a concession to gun rights activists, who have blamed mental illness and lack of enforcement — rather than guns — for mass shootings. The president also claimed his proposals would smooth gun purchases by law-abiding people.
But Republicans representing Tennessee appear unswayed. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Brentwood, says Congress should withhold funding for Obama's initiatives.
"This is all overreach. If the president wants to address an issue, he needs to come work with us."Rep. Blackburn on withholding funds for Obama's gun initiatives
Meanwhile, Gallatin Representative Diane Black says Obama's executive action on guns amounts to "a childish temper tantrum." She says the orders would not have prevented any recent mass shootings.
Chattanooga Rep. Chuck Fleischmann also says Congress should use the budgeting process to fight Obama's plan. Fleischmann notes he's a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
South Pittsburg Rep. Scott DesJarlais said in an email from a spokesman that he opposes Obama's proposals. Knoxville Rep. John Duncan, Johnson City Rep. Phil Roe and Frog Jump Rep. Stephen Fincher are also opposed.
Their counterparts in the U.S. Senate are more guarded.
Sen. Lamar Alexander says Obama "should have sent these proposals to Congress instead of trying to make yet another end run around it," but he is stopping short of opposing them. He says he'll look at each proposal carefully.
Likewise, Sen. Bob Corker says he'll review the details of Obama's plans.
Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, said through a spokesman that Obama's proposals "seem like common-sense reforms. He neither supported nor condemned the use of executive actions.
“President Obama is doing exactly what he said he would do if Congress continued to ignore mass shootings. ... Congress has refused to act, so I am not surprised that the President has taken the initiative.”
Only Memphis Rep. Steve Cohen, a Democrat, is offering unconditioned support for the proposals. He says, "The President’s actions will strengthen life-saving background checks, protect communities with bolstered enforcement, improve mental health services and fuel research to make guns safer."
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